Written by Tarék | April 21, 2026
It is quite clear that history occurs each and everyday of the year. It has never made sense to me that history should be confined to one month and divided by race or even sex and gender.
November – Native American Heritage Month, September – Hispanic Heritage Month, May – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, March – Women’s History Month, and February – Black History Month. What and why?
What could possibly be taught and learned in less than a month when it comes to stories created by humans? There are a vast amount of stories missed when learning this way. People go unmentioned for years. You’ll end up learning about people you’ve never heard of randomly through a post featured on a social media app.
Instead, we were taught everything there was to know about George Washington, and very little to nothing regarding George Washington Carver. Other than, he found 300+ uses for the peanut. Did Carver discover or accomplish anything else? Inventions, awards? According to my elementary/middle school learnings, no. There are so many other great people to discuss during February 1-29. Martin L. King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Harriett Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Fredrick Douglas, W.E.B. Du Bois were drilled into our minds so much, coming up, I began to think they were the only black people to live before I was born. You know, other than the enslaved black Americans.
Which is why it is important to know that outside of February and June, April 21 is another day to reflect on Black American stories. April is a month filled with significant events, accomplishments, and milestones in Black stories, highlighting both the challenges and victories that helped shape Black American heritage.
Let’s play a game. We’ll call it. . .
“Black Knows More Than You Think”
I type a name, you search the name. Read and learn something regarding the person who holds the name. Then report back here to read and search the next name. Ready?
1. Osbourn Dorsey (18??-1913)
2. Garrett Augustus Morgan (1877-1963)
3. Hiram Rhodes Revels (1827-1901)
4. Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955)
5. Marian Anderson (1897-1993)
6. Nat Turner (1800-1831)
7. Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954)
8. Major Charity Adams (1918-2002)
9. Madame C.J. Walker (1867-1919)
You have reached the conclusion of this game.
Leave a comment below explaining something you have learned via your search of any of the aforementioned names above. We look forward to reading your thoughts.
Blessings and create a great day!
