NC Justice Center Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month 

(February 9, 2026—Raleigh, NC) 2026 marks 100 years of celebrating Black History. 100 years of uplifting the profound resilience, joy, and intelligence of Black people, and their unique contributions that have helped shape our country.   

Black history is American history, despite efforts to dilute or erase it. This month serves as a time to honor the past and those who fought for the rights and dignity of Black people, and to celebrate the collective strength, power, brilliance, and creativity Black communities hold today. 

Black History Month initially began as Negro History Week in 1926, organized by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founding member of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, to celebrate and commemorate Black life and achievements. As it grew in popularity, the Association began pushing to extend the celebration to a month.  

In February 1975, President Gerald R. Ford became the first president to observe Black History Week, and the following year, became the first President to recognize Black History Month during the U.S. Biennial Celebration. In 1986, Congress passed a public Law designating February as National Black History Month.  

Knowing Black history also means seeing how systemic oppression continues today through federal, state, and local policies that harm the health, education, livelihoods, and freedom of Black individuals, families, and communities. Systemic oppression manifests today in many Black communities in numerous ways—from under-resourced schools, shameful maternal and infant mortality rates, and other inequitable health outcomes—to police violence, unjust treatment by judicial systems, discriminatory employment practices, and other barriers to social and economic mobility.

Despite this adversity, Black people have risen with joy and brilliance. During Black History month—and every month—the NC Justice Center celebrates, amplifies, and stands in solidarity with Black people who continue to advocate, lead, organize, create, build collective power, and drive change in their communities and throughout the world.  

At a time of intensifying threats to the safety and dignity of marginalized communities, the NC Justice Center is committed to dismantling pervasive inequities in housing, education, employment, and health care—and fighting for fairness, well-being, and opportunity for all.