The History of Black History Month

Thank you to HVAF’s Diversity Committee for the following information:

Black History Month was established to honor and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the country’s history, culture, and society. The precursor to Black History Month was “Negro History Week,” created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

A historian, scholar, and educator, Woodson initiated Negro History Week in 1926. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two individuals who had a significant impact on African American history. The goal of Negro History Week was to highlight the often-overlooked achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout American history.

Over time, the celebration evolved, and in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month, urging Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

On a local level

Locally, within Marion County, Black individuals make up over 50% of the population of people experiencing homelessness despite accounting for only 28% of the overall population. These numbers also bear out in terms of the demographics that make up the veteran population being served by HVAF.

For 2023, 58.3% of the veterans served identified as African American and 33.6% identified as Caucasian. Here at HVAF, we are doing what we can to ensure ALL veterans receive the necessary support in order to achieve self-sufficiency. ❤️

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