No matter your heritage, culture, or racial background, Black history is EVERYONE’s story. Here are 29 ways you, your family, and your congregation can celebrate and participate in Black History Month.
- Patronize a local or online Black-owned business.
- Attend church, Bible study, or worship at a historically Black church and experience the Gospel from another vantage point.
- Sing hymns or songs during worship by a composer from the African diaspora. Include the history of the song or hymn in the church bulletin or on your website.
- Attend or co-host a Black history or Black culture event in your community, in partnership with a Black congregation.
- Take a church family field trip to a Black history site or museum in your area.
- Learn more about “Black Harry” Hosier (c. 1750-1806), an African-American Methodist preacher and evangelist.
- Research other Black United Methodist leaders from our church’s heritage.
- Fearlessly learn more about how racism has and still affects Black people around the world and start confronting racism.
- Donate to a Black nonprofit or empowerment organization in your community.
- Watch a film by and about the heritage and lives of Black people. Titles to consider: “Antwone Fisher,” “Malcolm X,” If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Hidden Figures,” “The Hate U Give,” and One Night in Miami.”).
- Watch and discuss documentaries one about the Civil Rights movement and other series on the challenges and triumphs of Black people. Suggestions: “Eyes on the Prize,” and Henry Louis Gates’ recent series, “The Black Church: This Is Our Story. This is My Song.”
- Visit a landmark about the lives of local Black heroes in your area.
- Read a contemporary book by a Black author.
- Read a story featuring a Black hero to your children, grandchildren or to a local school class.
- Seek out and talk with a Black elder (75 or older) about their experience in your community.
- Study one of the 51 nations on the continent of Africa, including the language, culture, current events.
- Donate to one of the 12 United Methodist-related historically Black colleges and universities in the United States and Zimbabwe.
- Learn about an unsung hero of Black history.
- Attend shows featuring local Black artists, actors, poets, local musicians, or dancers.
- Explore the breadth of Black music, from jazz to hip-hop, and gospel to southern African folk songs.
- Call out racism and prejudice aimed at Black people and other People of Color in your church and community.
- Learn about “colorism” and how it plays out in our society.
- Learn more about the Black UMC caucus, Black Methodists for Church Renewal.
- Subscribe to and learn from Black media and the Black press.
- Engage in positive, supportive conversations about Black history and culture on social media.
- Learn the lyrics to “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”.
- Read Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
- Read a biography of an influential Black figure, such as Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Shirley Chisolm, Kobe Bryant, Michelle Obama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Justice Thurgood Marshall, the Rev. Joseph Lowery.
- Register and vote.
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