February is National Black History Month

According to the Library of Congress, National Black History Month has its origins in 1915, when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Through this organization, Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in the history of Black Americans. Read more about the origins and timeline of commemoration for National Black History Month and access additional information and resources at blackhistorymonth.gov.


Read Using the Gifts of History to Promote Wellness from the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
Responding to the urgent need for greater equity and effectiveness in behavioral health services for African Americans, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) established the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (AABH-COE) in October 2020.
The AABH-COE has shared their recently published article, Using the Gifts of History to Promote Wellness in honor of Black History Month and to spotlight the social determinants of health that have shaped the health and wellbeing of African Americans. (Read time: 5 min.)

Learn more about the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence.


BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
The BEAM collective offers culturally responsive mental health programs, trainings, and wellness tools specific to the needs of African Americans. Learn more about BEAM's mission and the many resources available on their website.
Related: Watch BEAM's "Black Healing Remixed" promotional video.


From the Great Lakes Current February 2023