February is Black History Month! From National Geographic Kids:
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.
While we encourage digging as deep as you can, we've compiled five easy and meaningful ways you can honor Black History Month with kids, along with some of our favorite links and resources for each.
1. Learn About the History and Origins of Black History Month with Kids
Some places to start:
- Encourage activism and making "good trouble" by watching “Can Kids Change the World?” from Scholastic on YouTube (embedded above)
- Read up on Black History Month on National Geographic Kids
- Look for Black History Month activities and celebrations in your area. Many museums, libraries, and cultural institutions offer in-person and virtual programming.
2. Celebrate Black Leads in Children's Literature
Some of our favorites:
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry (Academy Award winning short film based on the book embedded above)
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
- The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
- Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
- Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden
- Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
- “The Vanderbeekers” series by Karina Yan Glaser
- The “Dragons in a Bag” series by Zetta Elliot
3. Celebrate Black Leads of the Big and Little Screens
Some of our favorites:
- Rise Up & Sing Out (preview embedded above)
- Ada Twist, Scientist
- Ivy & Bean
- Reading Rainbow
- Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse
4. Shop at Favorite Black-Owned Businesses
Some of our favorites:
- Create the Culture Embroidery: high-quality textile art including embroidery kits, apparel, patches, throw pillows, and custom projects handcrafted and designed for the culture through hand embroidery and vintage chain stitch.
- Telfar: “This Telfar bag imported / Birkins, them 🤫’s in storage / I’m in my bag.” This black-owned, non-gendered accessory line famous for the “Bushwick Birkin” has the stamp of approval from Queen Bey. Need we say more?
- Lauren Newton Jewelry: Lauren Newton uses her background as a former zoologist to inform her designs, which results in natural forms like crab claws, but I fell in love with her 18k gold Tetris piece studs.
- Harlem Candle Company: a luxury home fragrance brand specializing in scented candles inspired by the richness of Harlem.
5. Eat at Favorite Black-Owned Restaurants
Some of our local favorites:
- Peaches Hothouse: high-class, Dixie-style soul food at its best | 415 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
- Jerrell's BETR BRGR: a late-night vegan burger joint in Soho, serving 100% plant-based burgers, fries, chili, and shakes | 117 6th Ave, New York, NY
- Pig & Butter: breakfast-inspired dishes throughout the work week or for Sunday brunch | 134 Ludlow Street, New York, NY
- Whipped Urban Dessert Lab: a Lower East Side dessert shop selling oat milk-based soft serve with a bunch of different sauces and toppings | 95 Orchard St., New York, NY
- Cloudy Donut Shop: Cloudy Donut is a small-batched, gourmet donut shop located in Brooklyn Heights. Get there early—they tend to sell out quickly | 14 Columbia Place, Brooklyn, NY
