There are so many resources and perspectives about Black History Month, sometimes it is hard to know where to get started.

Do you watch “Roots”? Read Obama’s last book? Find a black person and ask them random questions?

And no, please don’t go find your black co-worker and start asking about their hair. As a black person, the first thing is to do a little research on your own.  Here are a 5 EASY resources to get you started.

      1. Common Sense Media – Common Sense, a nonprofit which helps parents and teachers choose appropriate kids’ media and technology, has its own Celebrate Black Voices page for educational media and activities for all ages. 
      2. The National Museum of African American History and Culture – The only national museum dedicated exclusively to the documentation of “African-American life, history, and culture,” points parents of young children to its Joyful Fridays series, held virtually every Friday throughout February at 11 am ET..
      3. New York Public Library – They have its Black History Month Storytimes, which can be found within the library’s wider Black History Month offerings and online events. In them, child librarians “read beloved books, sing songs, and share early literacy tips.” You can access all story videos here.
      4. PBS – PBS has a slew of online resources, categorized by age, to teach kids about Black History and anti-racism. The have drawing activities, Questions to Ask Your Child, animated videos about Black people and their accomplishments, and more.
      5. Scholastic Magazines+ – Scholastic Magazines+, which offers both paid and free teaching resources in association with Scholastic books, published a free, nonfiction story collection for young readers to learn more about Black history and culture. The stories are suitable for grades 1-12.
Tags: ,