Black History Month is an annual celebration that highlights the accomplishments, successes, trials and obstacles of prominent African-Americans throughout U.S. and world history. 

When Carter G. Woodson created the celebration as Black History Week in 1926, he did so to educate and enlighten black peoples of the successes and the possibility of success in spite of the barriers placed in their way.  

The celebration also affirms the dyad being of African diaspora and of being American by birth.

At American River College, the tradition of education intended by Woodson continues not only for African-Americans but for students of all origins from all communities: to enrich the culture of the country.

On Feb. 13, ARC kicked off its Black History Month celebration by hosting College Hour: “I, Too, Sing America”, which took place in Room 550 in the Music/Theater Building Room with presenter Samuel Williams, who sang and danced to patriotic songs as he dramatized several poems written by Langston Hughes.

Black History 101, a mobile museum founded by Khalid El-Hakim, an author, educator, and activist also visited ARC on Feb.13. Hakim has been going over almost 46 states in the U.S. to expose the artifacts displayed in his museum.

“It’s a collection of 10,000 artifacts that came from the transatlantic slave trade,” Hakim said. “ I travel the country setting up exhibits on public spaces to engage people to discuss history and the importance of museums,” Hakim said. 

There are a number of other events on campus still to come that correlate with the Black History month celebration, including Community Talk: “What is the African Diaspora?” The event takes place Feb. 26, at 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Raef Hall 162. The presenter is history professor Dante Barksdale of Sierra College.