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Black History Month Idea Guide and Contest Winners
Every February, we pay tribute to the triumphs, struggles, and rich culture of generations of Black Americans. The month-long commemoration is a powerful reminder that Black history is American history and Black culture is American culture. It also is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and teach respect for people of all backgrounds. Positive Promotions is happy to help schools, businesses, churches, and organizations with their Black History Month events. We hope you find inspiration from the ideas below, as well as from our 2022 contest winners.
GIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Have a clear idea of what teachers need. Send a brief survey through email or distribute one at faculty meetings to get insight into the issues teachers face and learn what is relevant to their daily performance.
LEAD, INSPIRE, LEARN
Help youngsters understand that they can have a positive impact in the lives of others. Set up a mentoring program at your school, church, or organization so older children spend time with younger ones either by reading to them or helping them study. Give the older kids Youth T-Shirts to wear when they’re mentoring.
DREAM BIG
It’s never too early to get children thinking about the future and how they can make a positive impact in the world. Teach them about African Americans who made a difference as part of your Black History Month celebrations. As part of your efforts, hang up Black History Posters in a common area of your facility.
FAITH FOCUSED
Many churches hold special Black History Month events outside of Sunday services. Give members of your congregation extra incentive to attend these programs by offering the first 20 attendees to each gathering Black History religious gifts. Have Black History essentials available for all other attendees.
2022 Contest Winners
GRAND PRIZE
INTENSIVE EDUCATION ACADEMY - WEST HARTFORD, CT
The Intensive Education Academy’s Equity Diversity Inclusion Committee filled Black History Month 2022 with plenty of activities and learning opportunities. First, each morning, a student shared a Black history fact on the announcements. Then, Black history was incorporated into arts curriculum. Students learned “Lift Every Voice and Sing”—a hymn known as “The Black National Anthem,” art classes included lessons about the Harlem Renaissance, and an Afro Beats dance instructor taught students and staff a new dance. During the month, the entire staff dressed in “Black History: Honoring The Past, Celebrating The Present, Inspiring The Future” T-Shirts from Positive Promotions. To wrap up the month’s activities, each class shared a short video about what they learned. The videos were combined into a longer video that the whole school enjoyed.
2ND PRIZE
PROJECT EDUCATE - PLAYA VISTA, CA
As part of its Black History Month events, Project Educate organized a “Heart and Soul” event to support the homeless community in downtown Los Angeles. The event provided health assessments and resources for attendees, as well as special activities such as Black history trivia and Bingo, poetry readings, and raffles. Additionally, those who attended got a taste of Black food culture as they sampled home-cooked Southern and Soul food. They also received Positive Promotions’ products that were used as giveaways and had the opportunity to win Gift Sets by spinning a prize wheel.
3RD PRIZE
BLACK HISTORY ENTHUSIASTS OF AUGUSTA - AUGUSTA, GA
Black History Enthusiasts celebrates Black History Month every year by setting up a Black history “museum” at a local school or church. Hundreds of children and adults visit the museum and learn about accomplishments by Black Americans, including inventions such as the golf tee, home security system, refrigerator truck, and automatic elevator door. Museum visitors receive items from Positive Promotions, including Pencils, Bookmarks, Educational Activities Books, and Monthly Planners.
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