February 28 marks the last day of Black History Month. Although February was originally earmarked to celebrate Black History, by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, to honor the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, the brilliance of Black Diaspora can never be condensed to a single month. Black history and the celebration of Blackness is a 24-7, 365 mode and movement that transcends the barriers of time. In a world that attempts to erase the significant contributions of Black people, it is a must. Here at BET.com, we’d like to share 10 Ways to Celebrate Black History All Year.

Read Black Authors

Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, thrillers, children's literature, poetry, mystery or romance novels, reading Black authors is an essential way to celebrate Black history. Black authors offer compelling perspectives on the American experience and provide insights that many mainstream narratives overlook and outright deny. Against the backdrop of the “banned book” movement which is active across the nation, the works of Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, W.E.B. DuBois, Maya Angelou, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Ibram X. Kendi, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and countless others are more vital than ever before.

Support Black-Owned Businesses

According to Pew Research Center, as reported in 2024, only around 3% of all small businesses in the U.S. are Black-owned. While the numbers are increasing, Black entrepreneurs face serious challenges as they attempt to thrive. Issues such as the lack of access to funding, cause Black entrepreneurs to struggle to get out of the gate. The Black-owned businesses that do get enough capital and support to start up often fail at a higher rate, which makes consumer and community support for these businesses vital to their success. From national brands to local businesses, it is a must that we support our Black entrepreneurs.

Explore Black Art

Sonia Sanchez once said, “The black artist is dangerous. Black art controls the 'Negro's' reality, negates negative influences, and creates positive images.” One of the greatest ways to learn about and celebrate Black History is to be immersed in Black Art. The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, and many other local places are essential.

Observe Juneteenth

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a law that made Juneteenth a federal holiday.” Juneteenth marks both a long, hard night of slavery and subjugation and the promise of a brighter morning to come,” he said. “This is a day, in my view, of profound weight and profound power. A day in which we remember the moral stain and terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take.” It commemorates the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that enslaved people were free. It occurred more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Although it’s a one-day celebration, honoring the day and teaching young people its significance is an important part of documenting our resistance and our survival. 

Community Involvement

A unifying Zulu proverb says, “A person is a person because of other people.” Community is critical to strengthening our bonds as Black people. Celebrating Black history throughout the year takes active intentionality. Civic engagement is a collaborative process that seeks to improve the community and calls on us to become involved in our local communities in ways that honor Black history throughout the year. Taking time to volunteer at food banks, shelters, trauma centers, hospitals, mentorship organizations, and local schools are great spaces to honor what it means to be Black all year round.

Support Black Institutions

Supporting churches, mosques,  other religious institutions, and community centers, and that serve our communities all year round fosters communal growth and communal connectivity. Also, supporting our HBCUs throughout the year and organizations such as NAACP, The Urban League, Black Lives Matter, The Equal Justice Initiative, Color of Change, and Children’s Defense Fund honors our history and our future.

Listen to Black Music

In his essay, The Conversation of the Races, W.E.B. DuBois once said, “We are that people whose subtle sense of song has given America its only American music, its only American fairy tales, its only touch of pathos and humor amid its mad money-getting plutocracy.” More than just listening to your go-to artists, exploring various genres of Black music honors Black history. From the blues, jazz, R&B, gospel, country, dance, rap music, and all of its offshoots, learning about the origins and expansion of Black music is an act of resistance and a way to celebrate Black History. Supporting local, independent Black artists and Black owned venues will go a long way in helping us prosper.

Watch Black Documentaries

Repetition is the mother of all learning. Watching Black films and documentaries over the course of the year helps us to understand the complexity of the Black experience in America. In an age of so much accessible information, there are a plethora of informative documentaries that delve into the depth and intellectual wealth of Black history. Docs such as Eyes On the Prize, The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, 13th, Stamped From the Beginning, and many more will keep us learning about our rich heritage.

Tune into Black Podcasts

Along with watching Black documentaries, listening to Black podcasts keep us informed and keyed into the current state of Black culture. While delving into the history is always worthwhile, topics such as music, love and relationships, sexuality, mental health, comedy, investing, politics, sports offer much more from a Black perspective. “Questlove Supreme,” “Decisions, Decisions Podcast,” “Therapy for Black Girls,” “Code Switch”, and “The 85 South Show” are just a few titles to get you started.

Cultivate Black Joy

Zora Neale Hurston said, “If you are silent about your pain, they'll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” Being Black in America is filled with daily pressures and societal traumas that can be overwhelming. To navigate through this reality, we must do things that help us cultivate Black joy. Whether it's hanging out with friends, enjoying movies, films, concerts, sporting events, or just some drinks. Or being alone at a spa, booking that massage, or reading a book with some tea, we must do what brings us serenity and joy. This will fuel us to make Black history every day.