Are you proud of your ancestry?
In the United States of America and Canada, Black History Month (BHM) is celebrated in February.
This period honours and recognises African patrimony, and the Black History Month colours have deep meanings.
A picture to mark BHM. Photo: pixabay.com, @ekaveshSource: UGC
In 1920, The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) created the BHM flag.
In February, people of colour who played crucial roles in freeing their people from oppressors are honoured.
What is Black History Month and why is it celebrated?
Read also
During this period, people honour, appreciate and recognise the contributions and achievements of people of African descent.
When did Black History Month start?
BHM started being celebrated officially in the 1970s, butits historydates to 1915.
Read also
The celebration is Carter G. Woodson’s creation.
The experienceinspired himto form the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
The association aimed to heighten awareness about these achievements.
African people marching for equality. Photo: unsplash.com, @libraryofcongressSource: UGC
Through the association, he created the Negro History Week in February 1926.
Later, the shift to a month-long celebration commenced.
In 1976, the celebration was institutionalised from a week to a month.
Read also
The name was also changed from Negro history to BHM.
What are the colours for Black History Month?
Theofficial coloursof BHM are black, red, yellow, and green.
A picture of the official colours of BHM. Photo: @Getty Images PlusSource: Getty Images
These are also known as the Pan African colours.
Initially, yellow was not included on the list.
The Ethiopian flag inspired the addition of yellow.
Read also
Meaning of black history colours
What does each of the colours of Black History Month represent?
Why was Black History Month chosen in February?
Woodsonchose this monthbecause Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass commemorated their birthdays in February.
Read also
The two marked their important days on 12th and 14th February, respectively.
Numerous African-American persons have made significant contributions to the world’s history.
Their achievements were in different fields and sectors.
Some fought for equality and freedom from oppression and slavery.
Du Bois, Harriet Tubman, and Abraham Lincoln.
While some important figures ended slavery, others madesignificant contributionsin other fields such as sports and inventions.
What did black people invent?
What are 5 facts about Black History Month?
What is disability pride month?
Everything it’s crucial that you know
Did you know that the Black History Month colours have symbolic meanings?
Most of them were child actresses who have honed their acting skills over the years.
She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019.
The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course.
you’re able to email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelors degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University.
Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle.
In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques.
She received the Writer of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024.
In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course.
Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
