UW Combined Fund Drive

February 14, 2025

Black History Month: engage, explore and support

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, influences and legacies of Black Americans.

Also called African American History month—and, more recently, Celebration of the African Diaspora—Black History Month began as Negro History Week in February 1926, thanks to the efforts of scholar Carter G. Woodson.

Black History Month was officially recognized in 1978 by President Gerald Ford as a month-long national observance each February. It is also celebrated in Canada and the United Kingdom.

This year’s theme is “African Americans and Labor,” which highlights the role that Black people have played in the labor force – as enslaved people and paid and unpaid workers.

Black workers have played a pivotal role in this country’s social, economic and cultural development. This year’s theme highlights that work and its transformational impact in the United States and around the world.

Here are some ways that you can engage, explore and support African American community and culture during this Black History Month and beyond.

Support

To show your solidarity, consider making a one-time gift or set up payroll deduction to a UWCFD nonprofit organization that supports enriching the Black experience and amplifying Black voices.

UW Black Opportunity Fund – invests in services and programs for health and academic success of Black student organizations, the Brotherhood Initiative, Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program and the Women’s Center (charity code 1482916).

UW Costco Diversity Scholarship – supports the UW Diversity Scholars Program, an intensive effort to increase the number of highly qualified, underrepresented minority students at UW (charity code 1481296).

UW Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity EOP Fund for Excellence – provides support and resources for the UW Educational Opportunity Program’s emergency scholarship support, programming, orientation and recognition events (charity code 0519565).

UW Association of Black Business Students Endowed Scholarship – provides funding to support UW Business School students of African American heritage (charity code 1481305).

LANGSTON – serves as a steward and hub for Black arts and culture in Seattle and beyond (charity code 1482955).

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund – uses litigation, advocacy and public education to work towards racial justice and equality by protecting voting rights, reforming criminal justice and improving access to education (charity code 0316271).

Black Women’s Health Imperative – targets the most pressing health issues affecting Black women and girls through investments in evidence-based strategies, bold programs and advocacy on health policies (charity code 1482760).

Sisters Network – increases local and national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community (charity code 1478545).

The Opportunity Agenda – works to advance the impact of the social justice community by providing full and equal opportunity for all (charity code 1482906).

Southern Poverty Law Center – fights hate and systemic bigotry by monitoring hate groups, educating youth on the value of diversity and seeking justice for vulnerable people (charity code 0316284).

National Black Child Development Institute – engages leaders, policymakers, professionals and parents around critical and timely issues that impact Black children and their families (charity code 0315476).

NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program) – formerly known as the Be the Match Foundation, funds research and assists patients with potentially fatal blood diseases (charity code 0456651).

Engage

At the Northwest African American Museum 

At the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

  • Black History Month Soirée – Celebrate Black Culture at the Black History Month Soirée! The Black History Month Soirée is your invitation to immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Black excellence through music, art, and entrepreneurship. February 22, 6:00PM – 10:00 PM

At Wa Na Wari

  • The Art of Black Love – The Art of Black Love invites you to celebrate Black love through collage and connection. Join artist Michaela Ayers for a creative, welcoming space to share stories and explore belonging through art. February 15, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

At the Jacob Lawrence Gallery

  • UW Jacob Lawrence gallery – artists & poets – Featuring Cauleen Smith’s Wanda Coleman Songbook and an exploration of Dudley Randall’s Broadside Press, this exhibition reaffirms the gallery’s mission of education, experimentation, and social justice.
  • Print, Copy, Paste Zine Fest – Join us for our first zine fest at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery! We will have a variety of local, handmade, zines and other printed materials. We will also have a local musical guest along with free snacks and beverages. February 21, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

In the Community

2025 Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum – A guided tour of featured exhibits and installations by several artists at the Columbia City Theater

Love Offering Film Feast – For the month of February, Wa Na Wari will be hosting a Film Feast series featuring  family friendly Black Cinema classics and FREE community meals prepared by Chef Kinnetta Johnson!  Every Thursday, through February 27, 4:00 PM –6:00 PM

For the Love of Food  – For the Love of Food is a creative experience that honors the flavors, traditions, and memories that shape our sense of belonging. Through the art of collage and guided conversation, we’ll nourish the deep connections between food, care, and creativity. February 16, 4:00 PM –7:00 PM

I Am Nobody’s Slave: An Author Talk with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Hawkins – Join Pulitzer Prize finalist Lee Hawkins for a powerful discussion on his memoir, I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free. February 18, at 11:00 AM at the SNO-ISLE Libraries

Explore

BlackPast.org – an essential online resource, created by UW emeritus professor Quintard Taylor, presents a comprehensive and accurate history of African Americans and people of African ancestry around the world.

Diversity at UW – portal to UW’s commitment to value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, create welcoming and respectful learning environments and promote access, opportunity and justice for all.

UW Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity – the central UW organization creating pathways for diverse populations to access opportunities, achieve academic success and excel in a campus climate that enriches the educational experience for all.

Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History Project – UW-led resource bringing Seattle’s civil rights movements to life in oral histories, archival photos and documents and personal biographies.

UW Consulting and Business Development Center – accelerates student development while providing education and services to help grow businesses owned by people of color.

Support Black-owned Businesses – support the Black community by buying products and services from Black-owned businesses and Black entrepreneurs—in Seattle and across the nation.

Books Beyond Black History Month – University Book Store highlights speculative fiction, fantasy and poetry written by Black American authors that ask questions about the connections between power and history, and what kind of future we can forge.

UW poet Colleen McElroy – the first full-time Black woman faculty member of the University of Washington passed away in December.

The Story Behind Black History Month – and why it’s celebrated in February from NPR.

28 Days of Black History – A virtual exhibition of 28 works that celebrate Black legacy in the U.S. in literature, art or artifact.

National Museum of African American History and Culture – The Smithsonian Institution celebrates Black History Month and offers a Searchable Museum with multimedia narratives, collections and educational resources.

Black Lives Matter – global political and social network combatting racism, discrimination, inequality and systemic violence experienced by Black communities.

TED Talk playlist – be inspired by thoughtful ruminations on Black identity and culture. Or give a listen to a Black History Month Playlist of podcasts.

Anti-Racist reading list – curated by Ibram X. Kendi, author of “How to Be an Antiracist.”