As we begin celebrating Black History Month in 2021, we are in a unique situation where museum visits and exploratory options are non-existent. In a world of consistent virtual meetings and classrooms, we continue to look for creative experiences that are hands-on and teachable moments for children and adults during these unprecedented times. This article will give resources and ideas for how to celebrate Black History Month with intentionality and innovation during a pandemic.
Research your entire city for historical black spaces, monuments, restaurants, organizations, and homes of historical figures. Create a document with your findings and come up with clues as a guide but don’t give specific locations, just neighborhoods! Challenge your family members to take their children on the same scavenger hunt and make it a contest to see who finishes first! Make sure to take pictures and explain the relevance of the locations to your children along the way.
Creativity during this time is therapeutic, but also gives time for conversation and bonding over what the art represents. Purchase paint kits from Michaels, or if you have a little more time to allow for shipping, shop a black-owned pre-drawn canvas business, JourniCanvas, that has a plethora of options for African American-centered art pieces with all of the tools you need!
Black History Month is a great time to commemorate those that came before us. Often, children may hear similar rhetoric year after year of who those heroes are and what they represented. This is the perfect time to sit alongside your child and research unsung heroes in black history and their contributions to the culture. Ideas for heroes include Bayard Rustin, Barbara Jordan, Fleet Walker, Ella Baker, Brock Peters, Ida B. Wells, and Claudette Colvin. Have your child give a small virtual presentation to your family members to showcase their new knowledge!
Create a Black History facts Jeopardy game to play with your family and have prizes that reflect history and support black-owned-businesses. Order takeout from a black owned restaurant near you–if you are in Chicago, there is an article that lists restaurants based on neighborhood.
Create a book club with your family and friends and dedicate time to complete at least two books this month to reading assignments that increase your overall awareness and knowledge regarding black issues, social justice, and solutions. For recommendations, please review this list from the Seattle Times. For documentaries, please review Bustle’s most recently published article on documentaries, summaries and where to stream.
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