Title
Recognizing and Celebrating The Philadelphia Heritage and Phila Montco Branches of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Body
WHEREAS, Black History Month recognizes the critical work of preserving, studying, and sharing the history and cultural contributions of African Americans, work that has been advanced for more than a century by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founded in 1915 by historian and educator Dr. Carter G. Woodson, widely regarded as the father of Black history; and
WHEREAS, In 1926, Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week during the month of February to promote the study of African American history, an observance that evolved into Black History Month and is now recognized nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Woodson emphasized that African American history is essential to understanding the full and accurate American story and should be taught to all Americans as a matter of public education and democratic responsibility; and
WHEREAS, When Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week, he recognized the importance of an annual theme to focus public attention and deepen understanding, a tradition that continues today through ASALH's nationally recognized role in setting the annual Black History Month theme; and
WHEREAS, The observance of Black History Month supports intergenerational learning by engaging youth, families, and elders in the shared study of African American history and civic life; and
WHEREAS, The 2026 Black History Month theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations," will be observed beginning February 1, 2026, and continuing through January 31, 2027, marking the centennial of Negro History Week and the fiftieth anniversary of Black History Month, and will be carried forward through public programs, educational initiatives, and community events coordinated by ASALH's local, state, national, and international branches; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Her...
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