Black History Month

African American Student Services

African American Student Services
Jimmy Hart, Director | 1302 S. Avenida Vega, Rm 27 (at Palo Verde Magnet HS), Tucson, AZ 85710 | Phone: (520) 584-7500 | Fax: (520) 584-7502 | Email Us

Two Ways to Get Involved in Black History Month!

Read at a School During the African American Read-In!

Photo on older student reading to younger student We are looking for volunteers to read with students during the African American Read-In! Classrooms in schools throughout Tucson Unified will celebrate Black History Month with the African American Read-In. Teachers and volunteers will read to students from books, selections from novels, short stories, poems, and plays by African American writers and illustrators. Sign Up Here!

Speak at a School!

In addition to readers, we're also looking for speakers! If you'd like to speak at a school, please sign up through our Black History Month Speaker Sign-Up page.

Curriculum Integration

BLACK HISTORY MONTH - can be a wonderful celebration of the contributions that African Americans have made to American history and culture. All too often, however, those contributions are heralded in February but seldom mentioned throughout the rest of the year. Ideally, every month’s history curriculum should include those contributions, but how do you integrate African American history into the curriculum on a regular basis?

Go beyond approaches that marginalize African American history by "shifting the lens" to look at events from new perspectives. For ideas on how to best accomplish this, visit the following websites:

Black History Month Celebration

Photo collage of African American students and staff at TUSD

Black History Month was created by Carter G. Woodson, PhD, in February 1926. Originally called Negro History Week, Woodson created the concept so students would have the opportunity to learn about Black History. Woodson chose the second week in February in celebration of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. For additional information and resources, view the Supplemental Resources page.. To request a presentation for your school please call 584-7500. For questions about events and activities please call our office.

Upcoming Events & Activities

Printable Flier (in PDF)

January 31st - Black History Month Kickoff with THMS Black Culture Club @ 7:45am
February 1st - 29th - African American Read-In. During the month of February, we will join schools, libraries and community groups across the country to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting an African American Read-In. Sign up to read here.
February 1st - 29th - Black History Month Daily Facts posted on the AASSD site and on Facebook
February 7th - TEEM 12th Annual African American Youth Heritage Day for HS students
February 8th - 3rd Annual “Our Blackness, Our Heritage” Step Show at Cholla HS @ 4:00pm—6:30pm Note: $15.00
February 9th - Rising Star MBC Multicultural Book Drive - deadline to donate books for schools
February 14th - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Morgan Maxwell K-8 to read about Morgan Maxwell, Sr. and donate books
February 19th - Black History Month Brain Bowl for MS students @ Utterback MS
February 20th - 33rd Annual Drum Major Awards to benefit Tucson Urban League
February 24th - 28th - Class presentations by request and availability
February 28th - Black History Month Essay Contest for elementary students sponsored by Omega Psi Phi (submit essays to African American Student Services)
February 29th - Family Fun Day at Booth-Fickett - Black History, Books and Barbeque

AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN HISTORY

Alice Walker

Born in February, 1944, Alice Walker is the first African American women to win a Pulitzer Prize. She is most famous for authoring the novel “The Color Purple.” Walker won her Pulitzer Prize in 1983 for fiction. Her book “The Color Purple” was later produced into an award winning movie and receive 11 Academy Award nominations.More

Claudette Colvin

Before there was Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin. Most people are familiar with Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott. However, most people have never heard of Claudette Colvin. On March 2, 1955, Claudette, a fifteen-year-old student refused to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus. Claudette’s refusal to give up her seat happened 9 months before Rosa Parks decided not to give up her seat.More

Mary Mahoney

Born in the spring of (April or May) 1845, Mary Mahoney became the first African American women to complete nurse's training. She graduated from the nursing school of the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1879. She also served as a member of the American Nurses Association. She was later inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame and the National Women’s Hall of Fame.More

Mary Winston-Jackson, Aeronautical Engineer

Mary Winston-Jackson, born in 1921, worked at NASA as an aeronautical engineer. Prior to serving as an engineer she was called a “computer.” NASA hired people to serve as human computers. Their work was to compute numbers and math equations by hand. Mary Winston-Jackson’s life was highlighted in the movie “Hidden Figures.”More

Black History Fact of the Day

February 29

Henrietta Lacks is best known for the suppling the HELA Strand that has been used extensively in the medical field to treat diseases like salmonella, HIV, and cancer. Her cells were used for gene mapping, HPV vaccines, AIDS research and toxicity research. Although she died in 1951, cells taken from her body have continued to live on. Medical doctors at John Hopkins University used her cells to create more cells, which ultimately revolutionized the medical industry. More than 10 thousand medical patents were created from her cells. For information on Henrietta Lacks, visit her profile on Biography.com.

February 28

Barack Obama, in 2009, became the first African American to serve as President of the United States. However, two others had run for the presidency before Barack Obama (Shirley Chisholm in 1972 and Jessie Jackson in 1984).

Jessie Jackson: http://www.biography.com/people/jesse-jackson-9351181
Shirley Chisholm: http://www.biography.com/people/shirley-chisholm-9247015

February 27

General Colin Powell, in 2001, became the first African American to serve as Secretary of State.

http://www.biography.com/people/colin-powell-9445708

February 26

Dr. Joycelyn Elders, in 1993, became the first African American to serve as Surgeon General of the U.S.

http://www.biography.com/people/m-joycelyn-elders-9285785

February 25

Gabby Douglas – At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Gabby Douglas made history when she became the first African-American to win the all-around Olympic gold in gymnastics. She became the fourth U.S. gymnast to capture the all-around title. She is also the only American gymnast to win gold in the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympic Games.

February 24

Dr. James McCune was the first African American to earn a medical degree and the first African American to operate a pharmacy in the United States.

February 23

Mary Winston-Jackson, born in 1921, worked at NASA as an aeronautical engineer. Prior to serving as an engineer, she was called a "computer." NASA hired people to serve as human computers. Their work was to compute numbers and math equations by hand. Mary Winston-Jackson's life was highlighted in the movie "Hidden Figures."
www.biography.com

February 22

Before there was Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin.
Most people are familiar with Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott. However, most people have never heard of Claudette Colvin. On March 2, 1955, Claudette, a fifteen-year-old student refused to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus. Claudette's refusal to give up her seat happened 9 months before Rosa Parks decided not to give up her seat. To learn more visit pbs.com or biography.com.
pbs.org
http://www.biography.com/people/claudette-colvin-11378

February 21

Langston Hughes
Considered Harlem's most famous poet, Langston Hughes was born in 1902. Born in Missouri, Hughes moved to New York to be part of the energy and excitement of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes most famous poem is "The Negro Speaks of Rivers."
http://www.biography.com/people/langston-hughes-9346313

February 20

Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast, winning 19 Olympic and World Championship medals.
Born in Ohio in 1997, Simone Biles has become one of America's top gymnasts. She led the U.S.Olympic women's gymnasticsteam, nicknamed "The Final Five," to a team gold medal at the 2016 Summer Games.
www.biography.com

February 19

Duke Ellington (1899-1974) was born in Washington, D.C. in 1899. He is credited with creating one of the most distinct ensemble sounds in music. During the 1930's he performed at the famous Cotton Club in New York. During his career, Ellington composed thousands of songs and won 13 Grammy Awards.
http://www.biography.com/people/duke-ellington-9286338
http://www.dukeellington.com/
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_ellington_duke.htm

February 18

Ethel Waters (1896-1977) was a leading entertainer in Harlem during the 1920's. Known as Sweet Mama String bean, she performed and sang the blues. In 1927, she began a successful career on the Broadway stage She is most famous for her work in the 1940 musical drama "Cabin in the Sky."
http://www.biography.com/people/ethel-waters-9524982
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_waters_ethel.htm

February 17

George F. Grant - On December 12, 1899, Grant patented a golf tee which raised the golf ball slightly off the ground, enabling a golfer greater control with his/her wooden club.

http://blackinventor.com/george-grant/

http://blackhistorynow.com/george-f-grant/

February 16

Jimi Hendrix, known as possibly the greatest American guitarist, created a new way to play the electric guitar, influencing future guitarists.

February 15

Alice Walker, born in February 1944, is the first African American women to win a Pulitzer Prize. She is most famous for authoring the novel "The Color Purple." Walker won her Pulitzer Prize in 1983 for fiction. The movie "The Color Purple" receive 11 Academy Award nominations.
www.biography.com
http://www.biography.com/people/alice-walker-9521939#synopsis

February 14

Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) is considered by many to be one of the great writers of twentieth-century African American literature. Ms. Hurston was closely associated with the Harlem Renaissance and influenced such writers as Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison and Alice Walker. Some of her most famous work include "Their Eyes Were Watching God" (1937) and "Mules and Men" (1935).
http://www.biography.com/news/zora-neale-hurston-biography-facts-black-history
http://zoranealehurston.com/

February 13

Mary Mahoney, born in the spring of (April or May) 1845, became the first African American women to complete nurse's training. She graduated from the nursing school of the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1879. She also served as a member of the American Nurses Association. She was later inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame and the National Women's Hall of Fame.
www.biography.com
http://www.biography.com/people/mary-mahoney-41021#synopsis

February 12

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)
James Weldon Johnson is most famous for writing the lyrics to "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Lift Every Voice and Sing is considered the Black National Anthem and is sung at the start of many African American events, conferences and banquets.
http://www.biography.com/people/james-weldon-johnson-9356013
http://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Weldon-Johnson

February 11

Mae Carol Jemison is an American physician and NASA astronaut. After obtaining her medical degree and working as a doctor, she became the first African-American woman admitted into the astronaut-training program. She later became the first African American woman to travel in space when she went into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992. Visit www.biography.com and National Geographic for more information. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/black-inventors-and-pioneers-of-science/#black-scientist-jemison.jpg; http://www.drmae.com
Video - http://www.biography.com/people/mae-c-jemison-9542378

February 10

John M. Shippen, Jr. – Most of us are familiar with Eldrick "Tiger" Woods and have watched the news and/or read about his accomplishments. However, few are familiar with John M. Shippen, Jr. who played in the second U.S. Open in 1896 finishing fifth overall. Visitthe two links below for more information.
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/john-m-shippen-jr-golfs-first-black-professional

http://www.usga.org/news/2009/February/The-USGA-Museum%E2%80%9A%C3%84%C3%B4s-John-Shippen-Golf-Club/

February 9

Dr. Mark Dean, born March 2, 1957, has more the 20 patents for his inventions. His groundbreaking work in computer science led to the creation of color personal computer monitors. In 1999, his work led to the creation of the first gigahertz computer chip. The creation of the gigahertz chip gave computers the capacity to do a billion calculations per second. For more information visit www.biography.com and www.black-inventor.com.

February 8

Serena Williams – In 1995, Serena became a pro tennis player. In 1999, she won her first tennis U.S. Open title. In 2002, she won the French Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon by defeating her sister Venus Williams. At the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, she won two gold medals, in women's doubles and women's singles.

http://www.biography.com/#!/people/serena-williams-9532901

February 7

Otis Boykin was born on August 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas. After high school, he attended and graduated from Fisk University in 1941. After college, he worked for a radio and television company and began invention products. Mr. Boykin's most notable invention is a control unit for pacemakers. A pacemaker is a small device that is placed under the skin near the heart to help control your heartbeat. For more information visit www.biography.com and www.black-inventor.com http://www.biography.com/people/otis-boykin-538792

February 6

The Kentucky Derby's Forgotten Jockeys
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, African American jockeys once dominated the world of horse track racing. By 1921, they had disappeared from the Kentucky Derby. In 1875, African Americans made up 13 of the first 15 jockeys and won 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derby races.

To learn more visit the links below:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-kentucky-derbys-forgotten-jockeys-128781428/?no-ist
http://www.history.com/news/the-kentucky-derbys-forgotten-black-jockeys

February 5

Madame C.J. Walker
Mrs. Walker invented a line of African-American hair care products in 1905. She promoted her products by traveling the country and providing demonstrations. With the success of her products, she established Madame C.J. Walker Laboratories to manufacture cosmetics and train sales beauticians. Her business skills led her to become the first female self-made millionaire in the United States. (Visit www.biography.com for more information)

February 4

Jan Matzeliger was an American inventor. Prior to 1883, shoes were lasted together by hand (connecting the leather to the bottom of the shoe). In March 1883, the United States Patent Office issued a patent to Jan Matzeliger, African American inventor, for his "Lasting Machine." Within two years, Matzeliger had perfected the machine to the point that it could produce up to 700 pairs of shoes each day (as compared to 50 per day for a Hand Laster.) Mr. Matzeliger's invention would change the shoe industry forever. (Visit www.biography.com for more information)

February 3

Richard Wright is an author of the classic texts Black Boy and Native Son. He worked with the Federal Writers Project during the 1930s and reached critical acclaim shortly after.

February 2

Shirley Chisholm was the first noted African American to run for President of the United States, paving the way for Jessie Jackson, who ran for the presidency in the late 80's, and for President Barack Obama. In 1968, Ms. Chisholm became the first African American woman to serve in congress. She served in congress from 1968-1983 and ran for President of the U.S. in 1972. (Visit www.biography.com for more information)

February 1

DID YOU KNOW...

Black History Month was created by Carter G. Woodson, PhD, in February 1926. Originally called Negro History Week, Woodson created the concept so that students would have the opportunity to learn about Black History Woodson chose the second week in February in celebration of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. Negro History Week, now known as Black History Month, was an opportunity to inform students in schools and the community at large about the Harlem Renaissance and the many contributions of African Americans to the United States.