Celebrating Black History Month – Met Media

A nationwide celebration of Black history, culture and contributions begins Feb. 1 each year. But how did this month-long celebration begin, and what is the origin behind Black History Month?
Carter G. Woodson was a particularly important figure in pushing the celebration of Black history. Woodson, along with four others formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915.
According to former ASALH National President, Daryl Michael Scott, “[Woodson] hoped that others would popularize the findings that he and other black intellectuals would publish in The Journal of Negro History, which he established in 1916.”
Woodson worked hard to push the education and celebration of Black contributions, and “urged black civic organizations to promote the achievements that researchers were uncovering.” By February of 1926, Woodson sent out a press release announcing Negro History Week.
Woodson purposefully chose February as both Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass’ birthdays are celebrated during the month. Many Black Americans already recognized these men and the way they shaped Black history. By choosing February to celebrate, “he was asking the public to extend their study of black history, not to create a new tradition. In doing so, he increased his chances for success.”
Negro History Week became more widely recognized over time, and “the 1960s had a dramatic effect on the study and celebration of Black history. Before the decade was over, Negro History Week would be well on its way to becoming Black History Month. […] In 1976, fifty years after the first celebration, the Association used its influence to institutionalize the shifts from a week to a month and from Negro history to black history.”
Black history is everywhere in the United States, and it’s important to recognize the contributions of black Americans to this country. Denver, particularly Five Points, has rich Black and jazz history. The neighborhood was shaped into what it is today by African American Denverites.
Located north of Downtown Denver, Five Points was once known as the Harlem of the West. According to an article from Denver Public Library, “Five Points was home to more than 90 percent of Denver’s African American population by 1920. A mix of development, growth, and new modes of transportation throughout Denver neighborhoods, in conjunction with segregation, influenced the demographics of Five Points.”
Though segregation was already outlawed in Colorado, many establishments would not serve Black people. “This meant Black musicians could not stay in the neighborhoods and hotels where they performed, so most not only stayed in Five Points but also played additional shows there.”
More music venues and hotels were built in Five Points over time, many of which were located on Welton Street. The Rossonian, a notable hotel on the Welton Strip, had “nationally known figures [perform], … including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.”
Clubs in Five Points were also unique as they welcomed everyone to the dance floor, regardless of race. Five Points was, and continues to be, an important neighborhood that thrives because of Black Americans and their contributions.
Educating ourselves and celebrating the way that black people have shaped the Five Points neighborhood of Denver and America as a whole is crucial to truly understanding this country.

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Gilliam Nii Lighter

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