Origins and Purpose of Black History Month
Black History Month is observed each February in the United States and Canada to highlight the achievements and history of Black Americans and the African diaspora. It grew from "Negro History Week," founded by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926, and was expanded to a month in 1976.
Notable Firsts in Business, Finance, and Leadership
Maggie Lena Walker became the first Black woman to charter a bank in the United States when she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903. In 1923, the National Negro Insurance Association was formed to support Black-owned businesses, and Robert F. Smith later became one of the wealthiest Black Americans through private equity and philanthropy.
Resources for Further Research
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture maintains online exhibits and timelines that document economic contributions, cultural milestones, and civil rights achievements. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History publishes research and themes each year to guide education and public programming.
