BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for

recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event

grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent

African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black

History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a

month to celebrating Black history.t-elect Kamala Harris’ smashing the glass

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ORIGINS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished 

slavery in the United States. That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the

prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History

(ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and

other peoples of African descent.

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Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group

sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the

birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nation-

wide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.

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In the decades that followed, mayors of cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations

recognizing Negro History Week. By the late 1960s, thanks in part to the civil rights movement and a

growing awareness of Black identity, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on many

college campuses. 

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the

opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor

throughout our history.”

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2021 THEME

Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a

specific theme.The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity”

explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR OHIO SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED

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Ohio K-12 schools, including public, private, and career-tech entities, today learned when their teachers

and staff necessary for in-person learning are able to begin receiving vaccines. Ohio Governor Mike

DeWine has made clear his goal of Ohio returning to in-person learning either full-time or in a hybrid

model by March 1st. In order to do this, the governor identified teachers and school personnel necessary

for in-person learning as Phase 1B recipients as part of the Ohio COVID-19 Vaccination program.

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“Vaccine is incredibly scarce, and we simply don’t have enough to vaccinate everyone at the same time.

Therefore, this will be a rolling process, just like it has been during other vaccination phases, with a goal

of administering all first doses by March 1st,” said Governor DeWine. “This rollout schedule is a heavy

logistical lift that aims to ensure the maximum number of people can be vaccinated in the shortest

amount of time.” The plan also makes the process as simple as possible for staff to be vaccinated and is

organized to allow most K-12 staff in a county to be vaccinated within seven days of their assigned

vaccination start date. For the limited number of counties where vaccinations will take place over multiple

weeks, local leaders will make the logistical and scheduling decisions.

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Eligible recipients may learn more about the locations and times of the vaccination sites from their

administrators. The following documents list the entities by county in the week when teachers and

personnel are able to begin vaccinations.

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Week One (Beginning February 1st); Week Two (Beginning February 8th); Week Three (Beginning February

15th); and Week Four (Beginning February 22nd)

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From coronavirusohio.gov

 

 

PROPOSED CHANGES TO SWOEA CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

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SAVE THE DATE!

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The conference brings together approximately 1,000 educators every year to grow and strengthen the

professional excellence of ESP members working in Pre-K to Higher-Ed through Association-convened,

educator-led, and student-centered learning experiences. With more than 60 interactive workshops to

choose from over the course of four days, participants enhance their knowledge and skills to build

community relationships, organize members, advocate for educators, and sustain stronger local

associations, helping members excel in their careers and positively impact student success. 

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The 2021 NEA ESP Conference will be held virtually March 19-21, with a special ESP of the Year celebration on Friday, March 26.

Registration for the 2021 NEA ESP Conference will open in February 2021 and will be offered FREE of charge to NEA members! We have increased our capacity to 2,000 participants. Spaces will be filled on a first come first served basis. Conference participation is limited to NEA members only.

NEA values the expertise of our ESP leaders and allies and invites all interested in being considered as a presenter at our virtual 2021 NEA ESP Conference to complete our NEA ESP Conference Call for Presenter Form. The deadline for session proposals will be Tuesday, December 22, 2020. All interested presenters MUST submit their proposals via this online form.

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If you have questions? Contact us at espconference@nea.org. Join the “ESP Conference” group on NEA edCommunities to connect with participants online and get conference, updates, resources, photos, and more.