Black History Centennial Marks Angst Over Anti-DEI Climate

Activists, academics, and organizations work to expand access to Black history education amid political backlash.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 4:31am

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As the nation marks the 100th anniversary of the first observance of Black History Month, advocates are working to expand access to Black history education amid a political climate that has seen efforts to dismantle Black history teachings. Despite backlash from the Trump administration, civil rights groups, artists, and scholars are launching new initiatives like curriculum, books, and a graphic novel to ensure young people continue learning about Black history.

Why it matters

The current political climate has created a chilling effect on teaching Black history, with some states and cities fearful of retribution from the White House for embracing Black history lessons. This has energized civil rights organizations, artists, and academics to find new ways to engage young people on the full telling of America's story, ensuring the legacy of Black history is preserved and passed on to future generations.

The details

In the face of the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle Black history exhibits and claim some African American history lessons are meant to indoctrinate people, activists and scholars are launching new initiatives to expand access to Black history education. This includes a campaign with more than 150 teachers on a Black History Month curriculum, the release of a graphic novel retelling the story of Opal Lee and the history of Juneteenth, and a new book examining the 100-year journey of Black History Month.

  • In 1926, scholar Carter G. Woodson pioneered the first Negro History Week.
  • In 1976, for the week's 50th anniversary, President Gerald Ford issued a message recognizing it as an entire month.
  • Last year, President Donald Trump started his second term by claiming some African American history lessons are meant to indoctrinate people into hating the country.
  • This year marks the 100th anniversary of the nation's earliest observances of Black History Month.

The players

DeRay Mckesson

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

Angélique Roché

A journalist and adjunct professor at Xavier University of Louisiana who wrote a graphic novel retelling the story of Opal Lee, the "grandmother of Juneteenth".

Jarvis Givens

A professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University who wrote a book for the Black History Month centennial titled "I'll Make Me a World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month".

Carter G. Woodson

The scholar who pioneered the first 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.

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What they’re saying

“There is nothing 'indoctrinating' about facts that are based on primary sources that are highly researched. At the end of the day, what the story should actually tell people is that we're far more alike than we are different.”

— Angélique Roché, Journalist and adjunct professor

“I wanted to kind of devote my time while on leave to writing a book that would honor the legacy that gave us Black History Month.”

— Jarvis Givens, Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard

“There's a level of what he called 'fugitivity,' of sharing this knowledge and being strategic about it. There are other times like in this moment, Black History Month, where you can be more out and assertive, but be strategic about how you spread the information.”

— Robert Trent Vinson, Director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute at the University of Virginia

What’s next

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The takeaway

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