Black Archives: Capturing African American Life in Photographs
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the diverse and multifaceted history of African Americans. A month-long celebration honoring the contributions of African Americans to the United States, the event began as Black History Week in 1926.
It was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the week was expanded to a month to commemorate the nation's bicentennial. Since then, U.S. presidents have officially recognized February as Black History Month.
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Black History Month offers a powerful opportunity to nurture these values in our children. It's not just about history; it's about fostering a sense of justice and cultural appreciation.
The formative years are a crucial time to shape young minds. Black History Month offers a unique opportunity to instill empathy, cultural awareness and social justice in our children. By sharing stories of resilience, courage and creativity, we inspire them to become active change agents.
Our libraries are treasure troves of knowledge, and Black History Month is the perfect time to explore their collections. The Library of Congress offers a wealth of resources to delve into the history of African Americans. At the same time, our local Hillsborough County libraries provide access to a wide range of materials on Black culture, heritage and achievement.
By visiting our libraries and utilizing their resources, we can gain a deeper appreciation for African Americans' rich and complex history in the United States.
A library card to the Hillsborough County Public Library gives access to a vast array of local and national Black history resources, including books, digital materials and in-person programs. Additionally, the community-driven Hillsborough Remembers project collects oral histories to bridge generational gaps, preserve local heritage and honor significant figures in Hillsborough County, ensuring that the rich history of African Americans in Tampa Bay continues to be celebrated and remembered.
Our library system continues to support community members in exploring and preserving their history and ancestry through the historic photographic Hillsborough Black Experience and Burgert Brothers Collections. These resources offer valuable insights into the rich heritage of the region.
While the African American community has made significant strides in visibility, the preservation of our cultural heritage remains a crucial challenge. Museums, archives and libraries play a vital role in legitimizing and preserving cultural traditions.
It's essential for African Americans to actively engage with these institutions and donate family photographs, documents and objects to ensure that our history is accurately represented and accessible to future generations. By contributing to cultural repositories, we can help shape the narrative of the Black past and secure our legacy for the future.
Black History Month allows African American millennials to envision a brighter future inspired by their ancestors' rich history and ongoing struggles. As Lonnie G. Bunch III, Director of the Smithsonian Institution, stated, “There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.”
Join us for in-person events, explore curated booklists and discover online resources highlighting how African Americans have shaped our community.
Featured Image: Ladies' Easter Tea Party, donated by Alice Moore | Originally published in the February 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.