Member Perspective: Celebrating Black History
Posted on Feb. 20, 2023 / Subscribe 0
by Kim Smith-Woodford, VP Diversity & Inclusion, PRSA Cleveland Chapter
Black History Month marks a time to recognize and pay tribute to African American trailblazers, leaders, champions, and pioneers for their significant contributions to America and the rest of the world. From science, the arts, politics and law, religion, sports and many other fields, African American men and women of past and present, have broken barriers, leaving a profound impact on history. And Public Relations is no exception. We celebrate the talents and success of the champions who pushed to give Blacks a voice like Joseph V. Baker, who ran one of the first Black owned PR firms connecting corporate brands to black consumers. Other leaders like Patricia Tobin, Ida B. Wells and Ofield Dukes. Barbara Harris, Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr., Frederick Douglas, and many more have earned success in the profession of Communications and Public Relations, paving the way for many PR pros of today. I encourage you to learn more about their accomplishments at the Museum of Public Relations.
In addition to paying tributes during the month of February, you can continue to learn more noteworthy history and achievements by engaging in the following.
Check out documentaries about the Black experience found on popular streaming services such as:
The Loving Story
13th
The 1619 Project
Summer of Soul
Read books by Black authors for example:
Sister Outsider - Audre Lorde
Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation - John Lewis
Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories from the Harlem Renaissance - Zora Neale Hurston
Support Black owned businesses:
Patronize Black owned restaurants
Black owned retailers and service providers
Add new podcasts to your list by amazing Black creators and producers such as:
Black History Buff
Code Switch
Noire Histoir
Check out various Black exhibits. For example, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture offers virtual exhibit and tour of artifacts and stories that embodies the Black experience. This is just a short list of ways to learn and support beyond the month of February. As the African American historian, writer and the Father of Black History, Carter G. Woodson writes, "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history."
Let's celebrate Black History 365 days of the year.
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