Black History Month: A Century of Black History Commemorations

Rotary joins with the larger community in celebrating Black History Month, a time to recognize the role of African Americans in US history. Communities across the country will, in various ways, offer opportunities to learn about the struggles and honor the achievements of African Americans.

As noted by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, “2026 marks an important centennial – 100 years of nationally commemorating Black history. In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson and fellow scholars founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, institutionalizing the teaching, study, and celebration of Black History.” Negro history week was initiated in 1925 by Dr. Woodson; what was once a weeklong event morphed into Black History Month.

Interested in learning more? Consider a visit to the A Kentucky Journey exhibition presented by the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, at 100 West Broadway Street, Frankfort, Kentucky. During Black History Month there will be a special highlights tour of the exhibit focusing on Black history, recurring weekly on Saturdays from February 7 through February 28m, 2026, from 3:00pm to 3:30pm.

Interestingly, the Rotary year 2021-22 saw Bill Wilson take over the reins of Rotary Club of Lexington as its first African American president, while Jean West that same year became the first African American president of the Rotary Club of Louisville.

– John Wharton