Black Legislative & Community Knowledge

Carter G. Woodson, known as the "Father of Black History" and son of formerly enslaved individuals, established the foundation for Black History Month after attending Illinois's 1915 emancipation anniversary celebration in Chicago. Motivated by this experience, he founded an organization dedicated to the scholarly examination of Black life and history, later creating Negro History Week in 1926. He strategically selected February to honor the birth months of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two figures significant to Black American history. The 2024 observance marks a centennial milestone with the theme "A Century of Black History Commemorations," recognizing Woodson's educational legacy while encouraging ongoing preservation and elevation of Black narratives. # Key Takeaways

Organizations like the Skate Global Foundation and the National Brotherhood of Snowsports are working to increase diversity in winter sports by providing financial support and access to underserved communities seeking Olympic-level competition. The high costs of winter sports—including resort access, equipment, and elite training academies that can cost tens of thousands of dollars—create significant barriers for athletes of color trying to reach Olympic competition. While participation rates among Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander communities have grown in recent seasons, these increases are not yet translating into diverse representation on Olympic teams, with Team USA's winter sports rosters remaining predominantly white. Various programs now offer scholarships and grants to cover training, equipment, and travel expenses, helping athletes of color overcome financial obstacles and work toward international competition at events like the upcoming Milan Cortina Games.

A preschool teacher describes her experience implementing anti-bias curriculum focused on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and work with her 4- and 5-year-old students. When reading about Rosa Parks and bus segregation, the teacher faced challenging questions from confused children, prompting difficult decisions about how much historical context to share regarding racial injustice. One pivotal classroom moment occurred when a white child expressed relief that segregation wouldn't affect her, leading a multiracial classmate to powerfully advocate for fairness and collective responsibility. This experience launched a seven-month exploration where the teacher and students examined "Peace Heroes," fairness, and their own capacity to create positive change, while the teacher continuously reflected on developmentally appropriate ways to address complex social justice topics with young learners. # Key Takeaways

American Black Journal featured an interview with Sara Wolitzky and Phil Bertelsen, the co-executive producers and directors of a new PBS documentary series created by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The four-part series examines the interconnected histories of Black and Jewish communities in America. The filmmakers discussed Dr. Gates's motivation for exploring this relationship and the various domains where these communities have intersected, including civil rights movements, political activism, and cultural contributions. The interview also covered the producers' intended message and goals for viewers of the documentary series. # Key Takeaways

Veteran Detroit broadcaster and filmmaker Gerald McBride, who has worked in Black radio for over forty years, appears on American Black Journal during Black History Month to discuss his new memoir. The book, called "God and the DJ," tells the story of his professional journey in radio and how faith and perseverance shaped his career path. During his conversation with host Stephen Henderson, McBride reflects on the evolution of the radio industry throughout his lengthy career. He also discusses his current syndicated program "Old School House Party" and explains his motivation behind creating a documentary film about young African American hockey players. # Key Takeaways

A federal indictment unsealed in January 2026 exposed a game manipulation scandal in Division I basketball, where players allegedly underperformed to influence betting spreads and player prop outcomes. The author, drawing from experience as both a college head coach and broadcast analyst, argues that the scandal reveals a systemic failure rather than individual moral lapses, as unpaid college athletes have been placed into a legalized betting economy without adequate protections. The manipulation is particularly difficult to detect because intentional underperformance can easily be disguised as normal basketball mistakes like poor shot selection or defensive lapses. The author contends that player prop betting is incompatible with college sports and that the NCAA must either provide athletes with professional-level compensation and protections or eliminate practices that expose them to financial exploitation.