This February, Waynesboro Public Schools proudly celebrates Black History Month, honoring the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. This year’s theme, “African Americans and Labor." Through classroom discussions, special events, and learning activities, we encourage students to explore and appreciate the diverse voices that have influenced history and continue to inspire change. Join us in celebrating Black excellence, past and present!
Black History Month traces its origins to 1915, when Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-educated scholar, traveled to Chicago for a national celebration marking the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation. Inspired by the event's focus on African American progress, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) to promote the study of Black history. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week, strategically choosing February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, which were already celebrated by the Black community. Woodson's aim was not only to build on existing traditions but to shift focus from the accomplishments of two great men to the contributions of the entire Black race to human civilization.