Photo of Fannie Lou Hamer, an American voting and women’s rights activist, community organizer, and leader of the civil rights movement.
Black History Month offers a powerful opportunity to intentionally recognize and celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Black people in America. Nearly a century ago, Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926 to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. This initiative eventually expanded into what we now observe as Black History Month each February. Woodson’s mission still resonates today—his recognition that Black history was often “overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them” remains a striking and sobering truth.
Fifty years later, in 1976, President Gerald Ford formally designated February as Black History Month in the United States. As we reflect on Black History Month in 2025, CSSP finds itself focusing not on the valid critique of February being the shortest and coldest month for such a significant celebration, but instead on the ever-present need to actively combat the erasure of Black stories. Nearly 100 years after Woodson’s insightful observations, we continue to witness forces intentionally working to suppress the achievements and narratives of Black Americans.
The need to recognize and teach a full and accurate history has never been more urgent. As more states move to censor teaching complete histories of racism and slavery in our country—and even ban courses like Advanced Placement (AP) Black History—we must fight against these efforts to erase Black stories from our collective memory. The reality is that the impact and contributions of Black people in this country are vast, immeasurable, and, far too often, unrecorded or deliberately ignored. To allow these stories to vanish is not just a loss for Black communities but for society as a whole. Our country is weakened when we fail to learn from, uplift, and celebrate the richness of Black history.
We are in our second month of the new Trump administration. In the short time since the administration has taken office, we have witnessed concerted efforts to undermine the civil liberties and well-being of marginalized communities, including the Black community. This Black History Month, as we honor and uplift the many accomplishments of Black Americans, we must also be acutely aware of the real threats coming from this administration. We must stand vigilant and ready to push back against the policies and actions that seek to strip away rights and freedoms won through struggle and sacrifice.
We cannot overlook the current display of anti-Blackness in both the rhetoric and actions of those in power. It is clear that some in power are intent on rolling back progress, seeking to return to a time when Black people were viewed as chattel to build this country for the benefit of wealthy White male landowners. The rights of Black and Brown people, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ+ people, and other historically marginalized groups are under direct attack. It is our collective responsibility to not only dismantle these systems of oppression but also to offer solutions and hope for a better future. As philosopher Edmund Burke wisely said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.”
Now, more than ever, we must leverage our voices and our power to fight back against policies that directly contradict the values of equality, justice, and fairness. For instance, the Trump administration rescinded Executive Order 11246, which was instated under Lyndon Johnson’s administration and prohibited discrimination in federal employment on the basis of race, creed, color, or national origin. Though the full impact of this change remains to be seen, we already know that such a move opens the door for discrimination in hiring practices. Additionally, the administration has moved to end all federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and has placed DEI-related employees on administrative leave.
As we witness these executive orders and other policies that are on the horizon, we must also reflect on our own roles in continuing to fight for a society where everyone can thrive. The work ahead may be difficult, but it is necessary, and together, we can continue to make progress toward a future where Black history is not only remembered but celebrated and integrated into the heart of our nation’s story. We find inspiration in the lives of those who have come before us—activists, visionaries, ancestors, and elders who confronted anti-Blackness in all its forms. Their resilience and strength serve as a guide for us all.
At CSSP, we remain committed to advocating for all children and families, opposing harmful policies, and doing impactful work to advance our vision of a more just and equitable society. We urge everyone to come together in support of the vital work that government agencies and community-based organizations do to make social services and family support more accessible for those in need and join our charge to protect and promote the well-being of young people, families, and communities whom this administration aims to marginalize. Together, let’s take action to help foster a healthy democracy that promotes liberty and justice for all.