This Black History Month, celebrate the culture-defining contributions of African American artists (2024)

This Black History Month, celebrate the culture-defining contributions of African American artists

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Ed Kromer. This entry was posted in Engaging Interests, Volunteerism and tagged Black History Month. Bookmark the permalink.

In 1958, a young photographer named Art Kane convened a dream ensemble of jazz legends for a photo that would become known as “A Great Day in Harlem.” This famous congregation of the most dynamic musicians on the planet—Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Lou Williams, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, among them—stands as a snapshot of Black brilliance and innovation that has advanced and enriched American art and culture from before its foundations.

It’s impossible to imagine the modern soundtrack of this nation without jazz, which grew from the blues, which grew from the spirituals, which grew from the African and Caribbean rhythms smuggled over in the dank holds of slave ships.

This Black History Month, we celebrate the essential contributions of transcendent African American artists in every form of art.

The story of American music runs through the genius of Mahalia Jackson and Robert Johnson and Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday and John Coltrane and Nina Simone and Grandmaster Flash and Audra McDonald and Quincy Jones and James Brown and Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder and Prince and Jay-Z and Beyoncé—the list could go on for days.

So, too, the histories of film (actors including Sidney Poitier, Viola Davis, Denzel Washington); directors Spike Lee, Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins), theater (August Wilson, Lorraine Hansbury, Suzan-Lori Parks), and dance (Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Josephine Baker, Alvin Ailey, Misty Copeland).

And literature (James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler, Zora Neale Hurston), poetry (Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou) and oration (Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, Jr.).

And visual arts (Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jacob Lawrence, Kerry James Marshall), culinary arts (Edna Lewis, Marcus Samuelsson, Leah Chase, Toni Tipton-Martin), fashion (Andre Leon Talley, Ann Lowe) and architecture (Robert Robinson Taylor, Paul Revere Williams, Zena Howard).

… Just to scratch the surface.

Black artists have at once pursued surpassing beauty and pushed for social justice, honoring their ancestral and cultural roots while always driving American culture forward. “Artists are the gatekeepers of truth,” said Paul Robeson, the towering singer, actor, athlete and activist. “We are civilization’s radical voice.”

Here are some ways to engage, explore and support African American community and culture this Black History Month and beyond.

Engage

Henry Art Gallery – “LOVERULES” exhibits the work of Black conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas (beginning in February).

MOHAI – “1OO Years of Junior League of Seattle” exhibits the work of Black Northwest artists Jacob Lawrence and Barbara Earl Thomas (opened February 3).

UW History Lecture Series – “Homes for Some: Seattle’s History of Housing and Racial Exclusion” by UW historian James Gregory (Feb. 7).

Northwest African American Museum – ongoing exhibits and events, plus Black History Month keynote program with Dr. Dorethea Williams of the Smithsonian Institution (February 15).

Washington State History Museum – presenting “Solidarity Now!” — the Smithsonian exhibit exploring the often-overlooked 1968 “Poor People’s Campaign” that redefined social justice and activism in America (opened February 3).

MoPOP – pop-up gallery celebrating revolutionary guitarist Bo Diddley, who “taught the blues to rock & roll” (all February).

Town Hall Seattle – hosting Tamara Payne on “The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X (February 7), Dr. Tina Campt on “Black Feminist Visual Culture” (February 8), Bassekou and Vieux Farka Touré “Celebrating Mali’s Rhythmic Soul (February 24).

Seattle Opera – presenting the West coast premiere of “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” (February 24-March 9).

Confronting Hate Together – MOHAI hosts this community collaboration of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, Wing Luke Museum and the Washington State Jewish Historical Society (February 24).

LANGSTON – Ijeoma Oluo speaks about her new book, “Be a Revolution” (February 27).

Call to Conscience Black History Museum – Columbia City Theatre turns into a museum celebrating Black excellence in the PNW (all February).

People’s Community Center – celebrate Black History with free events and activities at this Tacoma community resource (all February).

Tacoma Public Library – displaying the work Black artists (every Tuesday in February).

Elevating Voices – exhibit in Bellevue City Hall celebrates the work of 17 Black artists in the PNW (all February).

King County Library System – Kahoot! Black History Month trivia night (every Tuesday in February).

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 Brotherhood and Sisterhood Initiatives – cohort programs providing opportunities for academic growth and leadership, exploration of intersecting identities and support to underrepresented men and women of color at UW.

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.

UW Medicine Department of Bioethics & Humanities – thoughtful commemoration of Black History Month from UW Medicine.

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.”

Support

You can support the development of the next generation of Black artists—and educators, entrepreneurs, engineers, attorneys, policy makers, accountants, scientists and physicians. Make a gift to a UW Combined Fund Drive fund that supports the education and development of Black students at the University of Washington:

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 Scholarshipsupports 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 – providing 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 ScholarshipProvides funding to support UW Business School students of African American heritage (charity code 1481305).

This Black History Month, celebrate the culture-defining contributions of African American artists (2024)

FAQs

Who is the Black artist to celebrate for Black History Month? ›

Artists such as Edmonia Lewis, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Alma Thomas, Jacob Lawrence, and many others, influenced American culture, working at pivotal times in history. Their art covers abolitionism, the Great Migration, World War I and II, the Civil Rights movement, and modern themes of Black Lives Matter.

What does Black History Month honor the contributions of African Americans to? ›

The observance of African American / Black History Month was established by Public Law 99-244. This observance runs through the month of February and celebrates the contributions of African Americans to our nation.

Who is the African American to celebrate in Black History Month? ›

These pioneering figures deserve to be celebrated. When it comes to pioneers in African American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Muhammad Ali are often mentioned—and rightfully so.

What month celebrates the contributions of African Americans? ›

We come together each February to celebrate Black history. The official designation has changed over time, expanding from a weeklong celebration created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 into Black History Month in 1960.

Who was the 1st Black artist? ›

Henry Ossawa Tanner was the first successful African-American artist. He triumphed in a world that was predominantly white to create paintings of power, beauty and poignancy. Tanner's mother was a black slave who had dramatically escaped via a railroad.

What famous singer is celebrated on Black History Month? ›

They also learned about famous artists who have made contributions to these genres, including B.B. King, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ma Rainey, Stevie Wonder, and so many more!

Why is it important to celebrate Black culture? ›

The Black History Celebration reminds African Americans of our strength, endurance and unwavering faith, and reconnects us to the heroes of our past. It is also a time of hope: we hope to dispel the negative biases that are associated with being Black in America.

Why is it important to celebrate Black History Month? ›

Black History Month is that time for African Americans to acknowledge key figures from our past and present. It's an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the achievements that African Americans have accomplished in this country, despite the history of racism and oppression.

Who is the hero of Black History Month? ›

Black History Month was created to commemorate the lives and achievements of Black Americans, and Black history lessons frequently include the stories of famous Black Americans like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Jesse Owens.

Where is Black History Month most celebrated? ›

It is celebrated in February in the United States and Canada, where it has received official recognition from governments, but more recently has also been celebrated in Ireland and the United Kingdom where it is observed in October.

What are the three colors of Black History Month? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

Who is known as the father of Black history? ›

GAZETTE: Carter G. Woodson is known as the father of Black history.

How is Black History Month celebrated in Africa? ›

On the African continent, however, it is a different story. Only a handful of events are held in commemoration of Black History Month, mainly at U.S. Embassies or study centers at higher learning institutions in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, all of which are predominantly English-speaking.

Who started Black History Month and why? ›

Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976.

Who was an important Black figure artist? ›

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988)

The legend of American art Jean-Michel Basquiat is undoubtedly one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century. His earliest artistic influence came from anatomical drawings his mother brought him while he was recovering after a car accident.

Who were the important artists in the black arts movement? ›

The Black Arts Movement started in 1965 when poet Amiri Baraka [LeRoi Jones] established the Black Arts Repertory Theater in Harlem, New York, as a place for artistic expression. Artists associated with this movement include Audre Lorde, Ntozake Shange, James Baldwin, Gil Scott-Heron, and Thelonious Monk.

Who was the sculptor for Black History Month? ›

An acclaimed and influential sculptor of the Harlem Renaissance, Augusta Savage was a teacher and an activist who fought for African American rights in the Arts. She was one out of only four women, and the only Black woman, commissioned for the 1939 New York World's Fair.

Who is the Black history collage artist? ›

“Although Bearden is the most well-known, other African American artists making collages in the mid-twentieth century include David C. Driskell, Loïs Mailou Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Sam Middleton, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, and many more,” writes Delmez.

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