February, 2026
By Mike Nieto and Victoria Gutierrez, Staff Reporters
Every February, Black History Month honors the stories, struggles, and achievements of African Americans, recognizing a legacy that continues to shape the nation’s history, culture, and future.
The observance traces its roots to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in response to the exclusion of Black contributions from mainstream historical narratives. Woodson chose February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both significant figures in the fight against slavery. In 1976, amid the civil rights era’s lasting momentum, the week-long recognition was officially expanded to Black History Month and formally acknowledged at the national level. Since then, February has served as a time for schools, communities, and institutions to engage more deeply with African American history.
African American history is defined by resilience in the face of slavery, segregation, and systemic discrimination. Enslaved people resisted oppression through survival, rebellion, and cultural preservation, laying the groundwork for future movements. During the 19th and 20th centuries, abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, along with civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, challenged laws and social norms that denied basic freedoms. Their efforts reshaped American democracy, leading to landmark changes such as the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.
Beyond social justice movements, African Americans have played a central role in shaping the nation’s cultural, scientific, and economic landscape. Innovators like George Washington Carver advanced agricultural science, while Black physicians, engineers, and educators made lasting contributions across disciplines. In the arts, African American writers, musicians, and visual artists helped define American culture, from jazz and hip-hop to literature and film. These contributions continue to influence global culture today.
In Austin, Black History Month is marked through museum exhibits, educational programming, and community-led events. The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center hosts lectures, performances, and exhibits that explore Black history locally and nationally. Residents can also support Black History Month by attending events, shopping at Black-owned businesses, and supporting local Black artists, musicians, and creators. Volunteering with community organizations, engaging in discussions about equity, and learning about Austin’s own Black history, including East Austin’s historic neighborhoods, are additional ways to participate.
As February unfolds, Black History Month serves as a reminder that African American history is inseparable from the American story. Understanding that history remains essential to understanding the nation itself and to shaping what comes next.
The Cardinal Post 