Black History Month 2025
Black History Month is celebrated from Feb. 1 through March 1. The month commemorates the many contributions, cultural influences and achievements made by African Americans.
Celebrating Black history began with Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson. To raise awareness of African American contributions, Woodson announced Negro History Week within the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), in 1925, according to blackhistorymonth.gov. The week was celebrated in February to include the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Negro History Week received positive feedback, with many educators expressing excitement to teach Black history to their students.
When Woodson died in 1950, Negro History Week had become a major part of African American life. Many mayors of major cities nationwide issued proclamations recognizing Negro History Week.
During the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, the contributions and achievements of African Americans became increasingly well known.
In 1973, ASNLH was renamed the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH).
The celebration became a month in 1976, with President Gerald R. Ford inviting Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected, accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” That year, the ASALH commemorated the first Black History Month. Since then, every American president has issued Black History Month proclamations. The ASALH promotes Black history all year!
Triton Events
Triton College is proudly celebrating Black History Month with some events around campus:
Black History Month Basketball Game Reception
Thursday, Feb. 6
6 p.m.
George T. Jorndt Athletic Complex Gymnasium (R Building)
Celebrate Black History Month with an exciting evening of basketball on Thursday, Feb. 6. Cheer on our women’s and men’s basketball teams, and celebrate Black History Month with a special reception and giveaways (while supplies last) between games. Women’s game begins at 5 p.m. Men’s game begins at 7 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our athletes and honor Black History Month. All are invited. This event is sponsored by the Professional Development Center (PDC) and the Heritage Committee. For more information, email pdc@triton.edu.
Legacy to LLC: Celebrating the Journey of Black Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Student Center Cafeteria (B Building)
The Triton College community is invited to an inspiring event honoring Black entrepreneurs. Connect with industry professionals, attend empowering workshops and shop from local Black-owned vendors.
Vendor Showcase
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Support Black-owned businesses and shop unique products and services.
Workshop 1
JOOLS TV – The Original Trapery Rhymes
11 a.m.
Discover how JOOLS TV creates fun, culturally relevant entertainment that serves to inspire generations to come.
Workshop 2
The Power of the Pitch
1 p.m.
Learn how to craft a compelling pitch that captivates and converts investors, partners and customers. Don’t miss out! Come learn, connect and be inspired!
This event is sponsored by the Black Student Union, Student Life, PDC and the Heritage Committee. For more information, contact studentlife@triton.edu.
Celebrating Black Architects
Wednesday, Feb. 26
1 p.m.
Library Upper Commons (A Building)
Commemorate Black History Month with Celebrating Black Architects. The Library will host a special lecture honoring Black architects, presented by Michael Rogers from the college’s Architecture Department.
For more information, contact librarians@triton.edu.
Freedom Quilt Squares
Thursday, Feb. 20
2 p.m.
Room A-106 (A Building)
Celebrate Black History Month by learning the history and meaning of the Freedom Quilt Square. Create a Freedom Quilt Square to take home and to help decorate the Counseling & Wellness Center. Share stories while we “quilt” together. We will be coloring the Freedom Quilt Squares, so no sewing experience is required.
For more information, please contact Mary Casey at marycasey@triton.edu.
PDC
Triton College’s Professional Development Center (PDC) Recognizes Black History Month
The PDC is honored to present a unique opportunity to learn more about important Black individuals who have made a difference. Enjoy a short movie per workday to learn more.
For more information, please contact pdc@triton.edu.
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Other influential Black Americans:
August Wilson
Beyonce
Byron Allen
Professor Louis Gates, Jr.
Triton Library Movie Events
The Triton College Library Features the “Now Showing” Movie Series
The Triton College Library will be hosting its Now Showing Series in January and February, featuring films in honor of Black History Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The following films will be shown in the Library classroom (A Building, Room A-215).
This month’s movies include:
The Authorized Biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
An Historical Perspective
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2 p.m.
Forget Us Not
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m.
Freedom Flyers of Tuskegee
Thursday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m.
Sheer Good Fortunate – Celebrating Toni Morrison
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2 p.m.
Becoming Frederick Douglass
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m.
The Color of Space
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.
Black History Month Alumni Spotlight
Carrie Little
The Triton College Alumni Association selected real estate influencer Carrie Jo Little as one of six Alumni Wall of Fame 2024 honorees. This honor is bestowed upon individuals who have made a significant impact in their profession, community and beyond.
“Triton College gave me the ability to go to school when I was a 19-year-old, young mom,” said Little. “Having this great honor is an opportunity for me to tell the next generation that anyone can finish college and be on the wall of fame. If I can do it, they can do it, too.”
As a student, Little had an interest in taking journalism courses with an aspiration to enter broadcasting. She admitted that the public speaking aspect of her coursework caused her anxiety.
“You couldn’t pay me to speak in front of a room of people,” said Little. “I would’ve passed out. Taking the classes I did at Triton gave me that confidence.”
After Triton, Little decided to pursue a career in real estate. After purchasing her first home in the 1990s, she became interested in the process of buying and selling houses.
“There are so many people in Illinois who have never owned a home and I wanted to be a part of that process,” she noted.
Today, Little speaks all over the world on topics relating to real estate and has a successful following on social media. Her content consists of real estate advice and a Monday morning series called Coffee with Carrie.
“At Triton, I was really able to network with peers and I still do to this day,” she said.
Little encourages students interested in real estate to take courses at Triton, where “the sky’s the limit when it comes to real estate.”
As an Alumni Wall of Fame honoree, Little feels humbled to be selected and wants to give back to the next generation of Triton College students.
“This opportunity gives me voice and a seat at the table,” she said. “It’s a great recognition and I’m very appreciative.”
Here’s a short video featuring Carrie Jo Little: Click here.
Community Black History Month Gatherings
Black History Month Gallery
Saturday, Feb. 1 - Friday, Feb. 28
Ongoing Event
Forest Park Public Library
7555 Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park
Idea Box: Celebrating Local Black Artists
Monday, Feb. 3-Friday, Feb. 28
Ongoing Event
Oak Park Library
834 Lake St.
Oak Park
Social Circle: Black History Month Celebration
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Noon-2 p.m.
Forest Park Public Library
7555 Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park
Movie Music Tribute to Black History
Monday, Feb. 10
1-2:30 p.m.
Bellwood Public Library
600 Bohland Ave.
Bellwood
Other Black History Month Gatherings
Black History Month Teen Reads: Book Pick Up
Saturday, Feb. 1
1-5 p.m.
Chicago Public Library
9525 S. Halsted St.
Chicago
Chicago Black Restaurant Week
Sunday, Feb. 9-Sunday, Feb. 16
Check Website for Schedule, Events and Restaurants
Black History Month Trivia
Wednesday, Feb. 19
4-5 p.m.
Chicago Public Library
115 S. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago
African American Read-In
Saturday, Feb. 22
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Chicago Public Library
929 W. Buena Ave.
Chicago
PlayLab PlayDate: Black History Month Storytime
Wednesday, Feb. 26
11 a.m.-Noon
Field Museum
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago
Black-Owned Restaurants and Businesses
Support Black-Owned Restaurants:
- Addis Café
801 S. Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park
(708) 712-1558 - Cajun Boil & Bar – Oak Park
1109 South Blvd.
Oak Park
(708) 613-5500 - Kingston Market Caribbean & African Groceries
1305 S. Fifth Ave.
Maywood
(708) 356-6215 - Priscilla’s Ultimate Soul Food
4330 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Hillside
(708) 544-6230 - Sha-Poppin Gourmet Popcorn LLC
1917 S. Mannheim Rd.
Westchester
(877) 742-7671
Support Black-Owned Businesses:
- AfriWare Books, Co.
1033 South Blvd.
Oak Park
(708) 223-8081 - Einnim LLC
1020 Lake St.
Oak Park
(708) 613-5230 - Studio 928
451 South Blvd.
Oak Park
(312) 371-9526
Black Books and Authors
Authors/Illustrators - Young Readers
- The Sun Is Also a Star - Nicola Yoon (Author)
- The People Could Fly - Virginia Hamilton (Author), Leo Dillon (Illustrator), Diane Dillon Ph.D. (Illustrator)
- Hair Love - Matthew A. Cherry (Author), Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)
- My Beautiful, Brown-Skinned Girl - Dr. Anticia M Alston, Dr. Henry R Alston Sr, et al.
Authors - Adult
- Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual - Luvvie Ajayi Jones
- The Color Purple - Alice Walker
- Beloved - Toni Morrison
Additional Black American Contributions
More Contributions
- Black Americans in STEM
- Black Americans in Entertainment
- Black Americans in Advocacy
- Black Americans in Science
- Black Americans in Astronomy
- Black Americans in Mathematics
- Black-led Non-Profit Organizations
Other Black History Month Links
- Black History Month
- Two Mississippi Museum – Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
- African American History