Black History Centennial Marks Angst Over Anti-DEI Climate

Advocates channel education, free resources to expand access to Black history lessons amid political backlash.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:31pm

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Despite last year's proclamation of February as National Black History Month, the Trump administration has faced criticism for dismantling Black history exhibits and claiming some African American history lessons are meant to indoctrinate people. This has created a chilling effect, leading civil rights organizations, artists, and academics to double down on efforts to engage young people on a full telling of America's story through hundreds of lectures, teach-ins, and new educational resources to mark the 100th year since the nation's earliest observances of Black History Month.

Why it matters

The current political climate has energized advocates to ensure young people continue to learn about Black history in an intentional and thoughtful way, as some states and cities are nervous about potential retribution from the White House for teaching certain aspects of African American history.

The details

Activists like DeRay Mckesson and academics like Jarvis Givens are leading campaigns to expand access to Black history education, including a new graphic novel about Juneteenth and Opal Lee, as well as Givens' book "I'll Make Me a World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month." These efforts aim to teach young people how to become historians and discern fact from fiction, following in the footsteps of Carter G. Woodson, the "father of Black history" who established Negro History Week in 1926.

  • Last February, President Donald Trump proclaimed it as National Black History Month.
  • In his second term, Trump has claimed some African American history lessons are meant to indoctrinate people.
  • The administration has dismantled Black history exhibits, most recently removing one on slavery in Philadelphia last month.

The players

DeRay Mckesson

A longtime activist and executive director of Campaign Zero, an organization focused on police reform.

Jarvis Givens

A professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University who is writing a book for the Black History Month centennial.

Carter G. Woodson

The "father of Black history" who established Negro History Week in 1926 and was among the first generation of Black Americans not assigned to bondage at birth.

Opal Lee

The "grandmother of Juneteenth" who is largely credited for getting federal recognition of the June 19 holiday commemorating the day when enslaved people in Texas learned they were emancipated.

Angélique Roché

A journalist and adjunct professor at Xavier University of Louisiana who is the writer for a new graphic novel retelling the story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.