Practical Ways to Celebrate Black History Month
“Brown skin girl, Your skin just like pearls…” Are you singing yet? A love letter to Black women, Beyoncé’s lyrics embody a vibrant celebration of a skin tone that has often been neglected or edited in American history, but holds so much weight in our story. So, when we have the opportunity to pause in the month of February, we honor the legacies of Brown skin heroes. For all the seriousness Black History Month brings to mind, it’s a moment to rejoice in the incredible stories of resilience, courage, hope and accomplishments of Black men and women in our history.
To support you in making the most of Black History Month, we put together a few practical ideas to celebrate.
Commit to Buying Black Twice a Month
As consumers we speak with our money. An easy way to do this is think of 2 necessities you use each month - coffee, soap, snack, just to name a few. Rather than buying at your supermarket, find a black-owned business. Set your order on auto-repeat and it remains convenient.
Read with Your Kids
If you’re a parent, use this month as an opportunity to stock up on fun reads for the family that uplift the Black community. Read stories that highlight American history through the lens of brilliant Black figures and lead characters. Maya Angelo, Rosa Park, Martin Luther King Jr., Hidden Figures… the list could go on and great children’s books exist for all of these heroes.
Donate Bone Marrow
According to BeTheMatch, Black Americans have a 23% chance of finding a bone marrow match due to a lack of representation. Help remove that barrier by donating and supporting the fight against complex blood diseases.
Never Stop Learning
Pick a topic that you don’t fully understand – maybe that’s Blues music, Nelson Mandela, hair textures, etc. and seek to better yourself. Even if you have different life experiences, the more you know, the more you can contribute as an ally to racial justice. There is no shame in seeking education. The National Museum of African American History & Culture might be a great place to start!
No matter your background, there are things we can do to ensure a more equal future. Let’s make the most out of this month together. Here at Rosewater, we are passionate about helping you create beautiful life celebrations. And this is certainly a worthy celebration!