African American Heritage Month – February 1, 2027

Expected African American Heritage Month Deals

During African American Heritage Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to meaningful engagement and support for Black communities and institutions. Many organizations, like the NAACP and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, host educational programs and fundraising drives. Corporate partners such as Target, Walmart, and Amazon often feature Black-owned businesses, offer special collections, and contribute to relevant non-profits. Look for donation-matching opportunities from companies like Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, and explore curated content and resources from platforms like Google and Apple. We encourage direct support for Black artists, entrepreneurs, and community initiatives throughout February.

History of African American Heritage Month

Since the 1970s there have been celebrations of African American Heritage Month when people celebrate the history and achievements of the community. Celebrations range from specialized TV shows to pronouncements of American presidents. It’s also the perfect time to highlight the obstacles Black students face in gaining access to education. One way that this is being addressed is through scholarships for Black students. But have you ever wondered why February was chosen as the African American Heritage Month?

The answer lies in the well-known American historian, Carter G Woodson, pioneering the field of African American studies in the early 20th century. He was inspired by the three-week national celebration of the 50th anniversary of African American emancipation in 1915. Woodson was joined by four others in founding the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (A.S.N.L.H.) that encouraged scholars to study the Black past, which until then had been ignored by the American academia. Woodson’s efforts came to triumph in 1924 when his college introduced Negro History and Literature Week. Only two years later, Woodson and the A.S.N.L.H. started Negro History Week in February 1926.

February is also the birth month of two figures who have made a significant impression on African American history: American President Abraham Lincoln (born February 12), and activist Frederick Douglass (born February 14), who both contributed to the emancipation. Since the deaths of Lincoln and Douglass, the African American community had celebrated their contributions to African American liberation and civil rights on their birthdays. By observing Negro History Week in February, Woodson also honored the legacy of Lincoln and Douglass and sought to extend the celebrations of the achievements of African Americans through the entire month.