Virtual Tour of The National Museum of African American History and Culture – Dive into the richness and diversity of the African American experience and how it shaped the USA. Starting from the history of slavery, moving through 70s & 80s pop culture, and ending with current Black artists.
History of Black Art – Trace the legacies of artists from the Harlem Renaissance, and learn how contemporary artists have used their work to explore ideas about identity.
The Music of Changemaker – Celebrate the journey of Black artists and their impact on American music, starting from the Fisk Jubilee Singers to ceiling-breaking artists of today.
Black History Trivia – From Spike Lee to Juneteenth to Destiny’s Child, test your knowledge about important moments and figures in Black history.
- A Walk Through Harlem with The New York Times
- Virtual Civil Rights Trail
- Freedom March Selma to Montgomery
- Google Arts and Culture Black History and Culture
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights Virtual Tour
- National Museum of African American History and Culture Online
- Virtually volunteer
- Host an interactive team building event
- Create a Black History Month playlist
- Buy employees lunch from a Black-owned restaurant
- Volunteer with a Black-led nonprofit
- Amplify Black voices on social media
- Become a corporate member of your local NAACP
Plan a Social Media Takeover
Black History Month offers chances for members of the community to tell their own stories. By planning a social media takeover, you give storytellers a stage. First, choose a timeframe for the takeover, such as a single day, a day each week, or an entire week. Then, partner with a Black creator for content. The featured guest can submit videos, posts, and stories sharing their business, art, and insights. This approach is more personal than a generic “Happy Black History Month” post. Social media takeovers humanizes your brand while potentially growing the following for enterprising individuals.
While Black History Month aims to honor the Black experience, it is important to understand that there is no single definitive Black experience. The Black community is diverse and filled with varying perspectives and histories. Black employees represent a variety of cultures and subcultures and come from many different backgrounds. There is no limit to the identities or intersections of identities Black colleagues may possess.
While the month is about uniting to share a common history, it is also important to acknowledge that members of the community have unique and divergent histories and cultures too. It is key to not make assumptions, and to seek out many stories instead of one single narrative.
The month-long celebration of Black culture is a response to centuries worth of exclusion and under-representation. While it is important to acknowledge the past, it is also crucial to focus on the present and the future. Black History Month is a time to analyze the racial environment within your organization.
No diversity situation is strictly pass or fail. No matter how inclusive and accommodating your organization might be, there is room for improvement. Black History Month serves as a reminder of the injustices the Black community has endured, and a call to do better.
While you should always be conscious of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity within the company, February is a good time to re-evaluate your programs and make necessary updates.
In the same way we do not limit romantic love to Valentine’s Day or gratitude to Thanksgiving, we should not limit the celebration of Black excellence to February.
While Black History Month is a great time to champion diversity and focus on inclusion, organizations and coworkers should work to promote these practices yearlong. The month can spotlight these values, but the efforts should extend into other seasons.
Showing a constant commitment to empowering Black employees will make your February celebrations seem more sincere. Not to mention, your colleagues will thrive at work and show greater levels of productivity, creativity, and passion.
As the need for thoughtful diversity and inclusion in the corporate world grows, so does the importance of meaningful Black History Month celebrations. Celebrating the month in virtual environments is especially important, since it is harder to cultivate a sense of community and culture when working from home.
While remote work enables companies to recruit more diverse workforces, there is still a discrepancy in the distribution of resources that enable folks to work from home. Acknowledging and working to fix this inequality is important.
In the meantime, dispersed teammates need opportunities to connect with colleagues. Black History Month offers the chance to interact around a highly meaningful topic, and promotes positive culture throughout virtual organizations.
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What is Black History Month?
Black History Month is an occasion celebrated during February in the US and Canada. The month honors the achievements and struggles of the Black community and promotes the principles of fairness, civil rights, and equality.
What began as “Negro History Week” in the 1920’s eventually evolved into Black History Month in the 1970’s. In the decades since, the scope of celebrations has grown. Businesses, schools, and communities typically observe the occasion with history lessons, ceremonies, special events, and mindful marketing.
Why should you celebrate Black History Month at work?
Celebrating Black History Month is a way to recognize and honor the significant contributions, struggles, and experiences of members of the Black community. It is more important than ever to understand and respect the cultural backgrounds of employees. If planned and executed with tact and care, these celebrations have the power to make Black employees feel more welcome and valued within the organizations.
What are some good virtual Black History Month ideas for work?
Some good virtual Black History Month ideas for work include Zoom talks, Black business stipends or care packages, charity contributions, formation or promotion of Black employee support groups, and virtual tours.
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