Black History Month Centennial Channels Angst Over Anti-DEI Climate into Education, Free Resources

February 6, 2026

As the United States marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, civil rights advocates and educators face significant challenges from the Trump administration's efforts to curtail Black history education, including dismantling exhibits at national parks and attacking diversity initiatives. Despite this resistance, historians, activists, and organizations are responding with renewed energy through expanded educational programs, new publications including a graphic novel about Juneteenth advocate Opal Lee, and curriculum initiatives reaching over 150 teachers nationwide. The current moment echoes the original vision of Carter G.

Who is affected

Students and young people across the United States
Teachers (specifically over 150 teachers working with Campaign Zero)
African American historians, academics, and activists
Opal Lee, the 99-year-old "grandmother of Juneteenth"
Civil rights organizations including Campaign Zero and Afro Charities
Visitors to national parks (who previously had free admission on Juneteenth)
Jarvis Givens (Harvard professor of African and African American Studies)
DeRay Mckesson (activist and Campaign Zero executive director)
Angélique Roché (journalist and Xavier University professor)
Robert Trent Vinson (director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute at University of Virginia)
States and cities concerned about White House retribution

What action is being taken

Campaign Zero, Afro Charities, and Black scholars are working with more than 150 teachers on a Black History Month curriculum
Campaign Zero and Afro Charities are launching a "living history campaign" to teach young students how to record history
Lectures, teach-ins, and celebrations are being held to mark the 100th anniversary
Civil rights organizations, artists, and academics are engaging young people on America's full history
Educators are working to ensure young people continue learning about Black history "in a way that is intentional and thoughtful"

Why it matters

This centennial marks a critical juncture where the original purpose of Black History Month—providing alternative educational spaces when formal institutions fail—remains profoundly relevant. The significance extends beyond commemorating Carter G. Woodson's legacy; it represents an ongoing struggle for historical truth and educational equity that recurs generationally. The current political climate demonstrates how vulnerable historical education remains to governmental pressure, with states and cities becoming "quieter" due to fear of retribution. By teaching young people to become historians who can discern fact from fiction, these initiatives aim to create lasting institutional knowledge that can withstand future political backlashes and ensure that America's complete historical narrative, including its painful chapters, remains accessible to future generations.

What's next

"First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth" graphic novel releases February 10
"I'll Make Me a World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month" book releases Tuesday (from the article's publication date)
The research from Givens' book will tie into the ongoing "living history campaign" with Campaign Zero and Afro Charities
Organizations plan to continue expanding access to Black history educational materials through their teacher network

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint