The first official Black History Month (BHM) was celebrated February 1976. However, the holiday began as “Negro History Week,” founded by Carter G. Woodson September 1915, 50 years after slavery was abolished.
Woodson, along with Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) to advocate for racial justice and celebrate overcoming barriers of oppression. This tradition continued through the 20th century by various groups of American society until it was nationally recognized as a holiday.
According to the Milwaukee Country website, the county recognizes that “Black history is American history” and encourages their citizens to celebrate Black leaders and voices.
One way Milwaukee County celebrates BHM is through the Milwaukee Public Library where month-long activities are hosted to promote and honor Black people in the community and throughout history. One of these activities is a reading challenge focused around books written by a Black author or about Black history.
The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) also hosts Saturday Storytimes in which, as stated on their website, there are “hands-on activities and story times that celebrate Black history” in their Early Learning classroom. These activities are educational, engaging, and free of charge. The final Saturday Storytime of 2025 will be held March 3.
The MPM offers 50-minute tours throughout their exhibit galleries, highlighting Black history. These exhibits display artifacts borrowed from America’s Black Holocaust Museum.
