The story of Black History Month began in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States with Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founding the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Starting in 1926, the second week of February was chosen to promote achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent, coinciding with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the entire month of February as Black History Month. Other countries, including Canada, Ireland, and Great Britain, have followed suit.

This February, we are showcasing artwork by African-American artists and work that commemorates African-American’s contribution to U.S. history, often featuring the people that fought for human rights and change.