February 7

Carter Godwin Woodson  "Black History Week"

Dr. Carter G. Woodson began “Negro History Week” the forerunner to Black History Month during the second week of February in 1926. He was a noted, historian, journalist, author and the founder of The Association For the Study of Negro Life and History, currently known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. If you do not know your history, you may not know really appreciate the true value of your culture.  Thanks to the man known as "The Father of Black History" Dr. Carter G. Woodson, African Americans are constantly learning their history and becoming more confident of who they are because of the study of their past.  Woodson was born to slaves on December 19, 1875 in New Canton, Virginia.  He died on April 3, 1950 in Washington, DC at age 74.  Dr. Woodson is remembered as a historian, journalist, author and the "The Father of Black History".

 Tribute To Black History Month

James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson Composed "Lift Every Voice and Sing".

On November 6, 1901, two brothers (James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson) composed what has become one of the most respected, honored and revered songs of African American cullture, "Lift Every Voice and Sing", generally referred to as the Black national anthem.

James Weldon Johnson wrote the lyrics, while J. Rosamond Johnson composed the hymn.   "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was first publicly performed live in 1900 by 500 African American students who attended the segregated Stanton School in Jacksonville, Florida.