Black History Month 2026

The 2026 Black History Month theme, designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is "A Century of Black History Commemorations," marking 100 years since Black History Week began and exploring the impact of these celebrations on identity, pride, and equality. This theme highlights the power of recognizing Black history in shaping the national narrative and fostering Black progress, focusing on past, present, and future contributions.

See ASALH for more information about this year's theme.

A travel guide for African Americans, the Negro Motorist Green Book, listed safe accommodations and welcoming places for Black travelers. During Black History Month, celebrate the legacy of the Green Book and join our museum for a cross-country journey—with new destinations each week.

Feb. 1: Midwest - The Fearless Exodusters

Feb. 8: North - Millions Travel for a Better Life

Feb. 16: West - Migration Brings Demographic Shifts

Feb. 23: South - Reconnecting to Family and Culture

Explore this free Black History Month Digital Toolkit from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. This resource offers educators and students compelling digital content — from stories and artifacts to multimedia tools — that illuminate key moments in African American history and invite meaningful inquiry. Use the sources and artifacts to support classroom discussions, research projects, and reflective activities that connect past contributions and struggles to students’ lives today.

Check out this interactive digital exhibit to Travel with The Negro Motorist Green Book.

Anchor in Inquiry:
Use essential questions like: How have Black Americans shaped our nation? and How does understanding history help us engage as informed citizens today?

Balance Celebration and Complexity:
Honoring achievement is important, but Black History Month should also be an opportunity to explore systemic injustice and the resilience of Black communities.

Center Student Voice:
Encourage projects that allow students to tell stories, conduct research, and connect history to present-day civic issues.

Integrate Year-Round:
Black history is not confined to February. Use these resources as a foundation for sustained, inclusive history education across the year.

Teaching Black History Framework:
"Black historical consciousness is a Black history framework developed by Dr. LaGarrett J. King, the founding director for the Center for K-12 Black History and Racial Literacy Education. The framework was developed as a guide for educators and other Black history proponents developing curriculum and effective instructional approaches. The principles were developed not to be static but allow educators flexibility with content decisions when they design course materials."

Join Oakland Schools for our free, annual NCTE African American Read-In Event on February 26th with author Kwame Alexander. We encourage you to join your district's watch site or your local library (see image below for a list of sites). Click here to access the registration link for your watch site.

If your district is not hosting reach out to stacey.lamb@oakland.k12.mi.us for a virtual only link.

Click the image above to access MDE's curated Black History Month lessons submitted by MI teachers.

Check out this 5th grade inquiry from the MC3 Curriculum, "How should we tell the stories of slavery and freedom in Detroit through historical markers?" which includes everything you need to teach it!

Young Children as Activists: Celebrating Black History Month and Marian Wright Edelman’s Work

NCSS Black History Month Curated Resources (also includes 6-12 resources)

In preparation for Black History Month, NCSS editors have curated this selection of articles and resources from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner.

Recommended children's books from the Elementary Literacy Consultants at Oakland Schools:

Social Justice Books: A Project of Teaching for Change

The Brown Bookshelf: United in Story

PBS is celebrating Black History Month! This collection is curated to showcase Black excellence through contributions, achievements, and ideas across core subjects and eras. These classroom resources aim to inspire educators to intentionally include Black history and stories in all curricula, using PBS LearningMedia as a tool in doing so, and celebrate Black history this month — and all year long.

Check out this new lesson plan from the 8th grade MC3 Curriculum: "What is the hidden story of Michigan's role in the Underground Railroad?" which includes everything you need to teach it!

Gearing Up for Black History Month from Facing History

Bring Black History into Your Classroom Throughout the Year from Facing History

Engaging in Antiracism Work: During Black History Month and Beyond (free webinar from Facing History & Ourselves)

Black Culture Connection from PBS

Black History Month from iCivics

NCSS Black History Month Curated Resources (also includes K-5 resources)

In preparation for Black History Month, NCSS editors have curated this selection of articles and resources from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner.

Building Democracy for All resources through Amherst School of Education--check out the Black History choice boards available (also includes K-5 resources)

Black History Month from the National Constitution Center

Include the exploration of primary sources in lessons to help promote a deeper connection and understanding of key moments in Black history. Here are some suggestions—more can be found in our Classroom Resource Library:

• Artifact spotlight videos:
• Blanche Kelso Bruce
• Howard University Sorority Letter
• Hiram Rhodes Revels
• Historic documents:
• W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk (1903)
• Ida B Wells, Self-Help (1892)
• NAACP, “Platform Adopted by National Negro Committee”(1909)

Explore the transformative impact of Black migration on American culture and society using the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates Jr., premiering on PBS on January 28! From the waves of Black Americans to the North — and back South — over the last century to the growing number of immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean today, these classroom-ready lessons include video segments from the new series, discussion questions, vocabulary, and student-led activities that aim to help facilitate conversation and spark new ways of thinking.

Designed for middle and high school students, the series has collaborated with TeachRock and Thinking Nation to create six standards-based, classroom-ready lessons that include video segments from the series, discussion questions, vocabulary, and student-led activities.

Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Dr. King images below are sourced from blackillustrations. Check them out as you look for more inclusive digital images for your projects.

People of color are often underrepresented in illustrations, lacking in the design process and often go unseen in visuals across the internet.

We saw the lack of diversity as an opportunity to create a free resource for everyone. As a way to add diversity to online content by showcasing Black people and people of color in a myriad of tasks, we hope to be the spark that creates more change in the digital landscape.

Contact Us!

Molly Gale

Molly.Gale@oakland.k12.mi.us

Stacie Woodward

Stacie.Woodward@oakland.k12.mi.us

In accordance with state and federal law, Oakland Schools does not discriminate, nor permit discrimination, on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy or parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, in its educational programs and activities, employment, or enrollment. The District also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

For questions or complaints regarding unlawful discrimination or harassment, employees should contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Personnel Management and Labor Relations at (248) 209-2429 or HR@oakland.k12.mi.us. Students and others should contact the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator at (248) 209-2590 or Jacqueline.Zablocki@oakland.k12.mi.us.