Black History Month Playlist (2024)

About the Playlist

February is Black History Month — a time to remember more than 400 years of Black heritage. To celebrate the achievements of the community, we created a playlist of our favorite conversations.

Featured Speakers

LaToya Ruby Frazier: What Is The Human Cost Of Toxic Water And Environmental Racism?

Flint, Michigan is the site of one of the worst ongoing water crises in recent U.S. history. Artist LaToya Ruby Frazier has spent years capturing the stories of life living with toxic water. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode Water.

Colette Pichon Battle: How Can We Prepare For The Next Hurricane Katrina?

Sea level rise will displace millions by 2100 — and the Louisiana bayous, where Colette Pichon Battle lives, may disappear entirely. She describes how we can avert the worst when disaster strikes. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode Water.

Stacey Abrams: How Can Your Response to a Setback Influence Your Future?

Stacey Abrams' journey in politics has taught her a lot about life. Her greatest lessons, she says, have come from the setbacks she has experienced along the way. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode School of Life.

Alvin Irby: How Can We Inspire Children To Be Lifelong Readers?

Even though kids learn to read in school, many hate it. Educator Alvin Irby shares insights on inspiring children—especially Black boys—to discover books they enjoy and begin identifying as readers. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode School of Life.

Ebony Roberts and Shaka Senghor: After Separating, How Do You Co-Parent As A Team?

After nine years and the birth of their son, Ebony Roberts and Shaka Senghor ultimately separated. But they made a vow: despite the conflict that led to their split, they'd still co-parent as a team. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode Finding Another Way.

Elizabeth White: How Have This Century's Financial Crises Affected Older Adults?

At age 55, Elizabeth White lost her job--and her entire safety net--in the 2008 recession. Her story isn't uncommon. White says, now more older adults are pushed out of their jobs and into poverty. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode A Century Of Money.

Baratunde Thurston: How To Citizen

This year's election saw historic voter turnout. But in a divided democracy, how else can we commit to our civic duties? This hour, Baratunde Thurston joins Manoush with ideas on how to citizen. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode How To Citizen.

Brent Leggs: How Can Seeing Black History As American History Begin To Make Amends?

How can we make amends for the atrocities of slavery and segregation? Historian and preservationist Brent Leggs discusses one step in confronting the past: preserving African American historic sites. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode Making Amends.

Joy Buolamwini: How Do Biased Algorithms Damage Marginalized Communities?

Data, numbers, algorithms are supposed to be neutral ... right? Computer scientist Joy Buolamwini discusses the way biased algorithms can lead to real-world inequality. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode Warped Reality.

Danielle Allen: How Can Democratic Values Guide Us When Facing A Global Crisis?

In a democracy, what does the path through a pandemic look like? Political theorist Danielle Allen says the solution require us to preserve individual lives, individual rights, and equality. A version of this segment was originally heard in the June episode The Greater Good?.

Clint Smith: To Protest And To Reckon With Racism In America

The killing of George Floyd by a police officer sparked massive protests nationwide. Writer, teacher, and scholar Clint Smith reflects on that moment through conversation, letters, and poetry. A version of this segment was originally heard in the June episode Clint Smith.

Michael Tubbs: What Does It Take To Transform A Struggling City?

Michael Tubbs has been saying "reinvent Stockton" since he ran for city council. Having grown up in Stockton himself, Tubbs takes a community-oriented approach to creating positive change in the city. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode Reinvention.

Jacqueline Woodson: What Is The Hidden Power Of Slow Reading?

Novelist Jacqueline Woodson is a slow reader. Taking her time lets her savor each word, brings her closer to each story, and it lets her pay respect to her ancestors who weren't allowed to read. A version of this segment was originally heard in the episode Teaching For Better Humans.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Black History Month Playlist (2024)

FAQs

What are some sample Black History Month messages? ›

25 Inspirational Black History Month Quotes
  • “I work really hard to try to see the beauty in everything and everyone. ...
  • “Don't wait around for other people to be happy for you. ...
  • “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” – Booker T.
Feb 2, 2024

What is the theme song for Black History Month? ›

After its release, "Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud" was used as the soundtrack to protests for civil rights. To this day, it is celebrated as a Black anthem and a symbol of Black pride.

What is the 2024 Black History Month theme? ›

The 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the creativity, resilience and innovation from a culture that has uplifted spirits and soothed souls in countless ways across centuries.

What are 5 important black history events? ›

African American HistoryEvents
  • The Charleston Cigar Factory Strike (1945-1946) ...
  • Nashville Operation Open City Movement (1961-1964) ...
  • UCLA Shootout between the Panthers and US (1969) ...
  • The Chicago Sit-In (1943) ...
  • Royal Ice Cream Sit-In (1957) ...
  • The First Black Power Conference (1967) ...
  • The Read Drug Store Sit-Ins (1955)

Who was the first Black millionaire? ›

Madam C.J.

Walker (1867-1919), who started life as a Louisiana sharecropper born to formerly enslaved parents in 1867, is usually cited as the first Black millionaire.

What are 3 quotes for Black History Month? ›

"The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression." "In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute." "Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us." "Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.

What is a famous Black quote? ›

Some of the most famous Black leaders' words stay with us over time. Quotes that inspire learning and celebration speak to people across many demographics. "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." "Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."

What do you say to honor Black History Month? ›

8 powerful quotes for Black History Month
  • Power concedes nothing without a demand. ...
  • ... ...
  • Every great dream begins with a dreamer. ...
  • I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. ...
  • Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Feb 7, 2024

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!

What is black history music? ›

The earliest form of black musical expression in America, spirituals were based on Christian psalms and hymns and merged with African music styles and secular American music forms. Spirituals were originally an oral tradition and imparted Christian values while also defining the hardships of slavery.

What is the song associated with slavery? ›

African American Spirituals as Protest Against Slavery

They sang songs such as "Come Along, Moses"[2] about the plight of the enslaved Israelites and the spiritual "Sampson" (also spelled "Samson"), about the strongest man, betrayed and put in chains.

What president made Black History Month? ›

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

What was the 2013 theme for Black History Month? ›

THE 2013 BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEME IS "AT THE CROSSROADS OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY: THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AND THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON." THIS YEAR'S THEME WILL MARK TWO MAJOR MILESTONES IN THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

Why is February a Black History Month? ›

Woodson chose February for reasons of tradition and reform. It is commonly said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12th and the 14th, respectively.

What is the essential question of Black history? ›

Questions for you to consider: ● What motivated African Americans to fight in the Civil War ● What were the limits of the Emancipation Proclamation ● What were White Americans' and White politicians' concerns regarding the Black response to the Civil War?

What are 3 things about Black History Month? ›

Almost 100 years ago, Black History Month began as a weeklong event. It's now a month-long celebration that takes place every February. Black history embraces the 400-year-long record of Black life in America. It also includes stories and activism against slavery and modern-day racism.

What are 2 important facts about Black History Month? ›

It was first celebrated during the second week of February in 1926 to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass (February 14). In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, the week was expanded to a month.

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