by Bright Ewuru | Feb 13, 2025 | Articles
“We have a wonderful history behind us…and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements.”—Carter G. Woodson, Founder of Black History Month
In the USA, February is designated as Black History Month—a month when the history, central role, contributions and achievements of Black people are celebrated, and a time to use recognition to highlight achievements and excellence in the Black community.
In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) announced the second week of February to be Negro History Week, dedicating a week to enhance the representation of Black people in education and spotlighting the achievements of the Black community. They chose the second week because it corresponds with February 12 and 14, the birthdays of icons Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas, respectively.
Over the years, consciousness grew. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognised February as Black History Month during the US bicentennial.
Black History Month is the perfect moment to highlight platforms and programs that acknowledge accomplishments in the Black community. Here are some of the most prestigious awards programs that recognise Black pioneers across different spaces, industries and genres.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an American civil rights organisation that advocates for political, educational, economic and social equality. To recognise the artistic excellence of people of colour, it founded the NAACP Image Awards in 1967 and the NAACP Theatre Awards in 1991.
The illustrious NAACP Image Awards honour artists of colour in film, music, literature and social justice. It’s hailed as the Black Grammy for giving a better image—like its name suggests—to Black people who might be overlooked by mainstream awards programs. Likewise, the NAACP Theatre Awards recognise the accomplishments of Black people in live theatre.
Established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television Network, the BET Awards program is one of the most prominent programs celebrating Black accomplishments. This annual awards program aims to counteract the exclusion of Black entertainers from major industry awards, showcase the impact of creatives, promote culture and provide role models for future generations.
The BET Awards program recognises significant contributions of African Americans in music, film, television, sports and activism. By celebrating Black talent on a grand stage, it empowers the Black community, fosters representation and leverages the platform to address social justice issues.
At the American Library Association Annual Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1969, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards was birthed due to the glaring lack of recognition for minority writers. This award celebrates African American authors and illustrators who write books that reflect the African American experience and drive an appreciation of the African American culture and universal values for an audience of children and young adults.
It educates young readers about social justice, equality and similar downplayed or ignored topics by applauding works that highlight African American heritage, struggles and triumphs. What’s more, this award nurtures the vital shift from stereotypes and tokenism to authenticity by spotlighting books and illustrations that showcase the entire spectrum of the Black experience.
The award is named after Coretta Scott King, civil rights leader and wife of Martin Luther King Jr., to help recognise her efforts to make the world a more united and peaceful place. It’s presented by the American Library Association and has various categories to recognise authors, illustrators, emerging authors and illustrators as well as impactful bodies of work.
The Black British Business Awards (BBBA) program was established in 2014 to recognise the contributions of black people to the British economy. The awards celebrate Black talent across different industries including:
It aims to dismantle stereotypes and challenge the racial bias prevalent in business.
This awards program recognises winners in two categories— Rising Stars for Black professionals who make remarkable contributions early in their careers and Senior Leaders for Black senior executives with at least ten years of relevant experience and recognised as an expert by industry observers.
Jackie Robinson was an African American professional baseball player and civil rights activist. By breaking Major League Baseball’s colour barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and responding to racial hostility with grace and exceptional performance, he became a champion for equal rights in the USA.
His fight for racial justice continued even after he retired from sports.
In 1973, the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) was established to recognise black accomplishments across different fields. The foundation’s awards honour individuals and organisations that promote racial equality. Its scholarship awards address the financial needs of motivated students by providing generous scholarships and comprehensive support services.
These African American awards programs all serve to recognise talent, culture, and excellence in the Black community and serve as a reminder of Black history and the strides that continue to be made today.
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