February is just around the corner, so it’s time to start planning your organization’s Black History Month celebrations! Black History Month at work is a great opportunity to foster inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and recognize the contributions of Black individuals to history, culture, and society.
To create a thoughtful and engaging program that educates, inspires, and honors the achievements of the Black community, involve employees in the planning process to ensure that the event feels meaningful and authentic.
Here are some ideas you may wish to include as you celebrate Black History Month at work:
- Sponsor Learning: Offer funded scholarships for team members interested in learning more about Black History. Have applicants submit an event, budget, and rationale for requested events (examples: attend a play, concert, poetry reading, or documentary).
- Volunteer: Volunteer with Black-led charities or non-profit organizations as a team. Provide paid time off or complete during scheduled work hours if possible.
- Support Black-owned businesses: Buy lunch from a Black-owned restaurant or purchase items for the office from a Black-owned business. Promote economic empowerment.
- Donate to anti-racism charities: Choose an anti-racism charity to donate to as a team. Clearly communicate the choice and why.
- Host a speaker series: Invite a speaker to discuss Black history and culture, or a social justice activist to discuss racial justice. Feature a speaker who can share stories/experiences that center around Black identity and/or how to promote diversity.
- Host a Black author book club: Create a book club focused on Black authors and their works.
- Host a film screening: Screen documentaries or movies to learn about Black History.
- Black History Trivia: Host a Black History trivia event. Help your team learn more about Black history in a fun, exciting way.
