Black history is American history and should represent blacks’ contributions in every American history book milestone. It is especially paramount that our children are taught the richness of this history, truthfully represented, to give our children roots and wings.
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson proposed “Black History Week” in February to correspond with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays. Woodson noticed that blacks’ role in American history was missing or misrepresented; he wished to set the record straight by providing this rich history. This observation became Black History Month.
The Yocum African American History Association (YAAHA) is dedicated to researching information to celebrate this impactful history by providing lessons, blogs, photos, DVD biographies to share African American heritage.
Blacks fought in every war, beginning with the Continental Army until the present day. They were awarded the Medal of Honor starting from the Civil War to current conflicts. More than two thousand black officeholders held political positions at the local, state, and federal levels during Reconstruction. Other vital leaders were mathematicians such as Benjamin Banneker, who made invaluable contributions to our history; entrepreneurs represented by Madam C. J. Walker, who changed the black haircare industry.
YAAHA provides lesson plans about women leaders, writers, physicians, millionaires before and after the Civil War, and other notable black achievers. Among these lessons are explorers, such as Matthew Henson; architects, such as Paul R. Williams; jockeys, such as Isaac Burns Murphy; and political leaders, such as Robert Church. Early entertainers, such as Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, known as the “Black Swan,” are also included in these lesson plans that celebrate American history.
The Yocum African American History Association believes that Black history is American history; find these lesson plans and other information at www.YocumBlackHistory.org.