On February 7, 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week, a landmark cultural movement that would later evolve into what we now recognize as Black History Month. While rooted in historical scholarship, the initiative transformed the landscape of Black art and culture by creating space for African American artists, archivists, and cultural institutions to document and celebrate their creative legacy.

Today, this moment stands as a powerful reminder that the preservation of Black art history is an act of visibility and resistance. Institutions like ART | library deco continue that tradition — expanding access to archives, exhibitions, and scholarship that honor the depth and evolution of Black artistic expression across generations.

READ & LEARN MORE ABOUT CARTER G. WOODSON

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Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950)
Historian, Educator, and Founder of Negro History Week

This Day in Black Art History — February 7

SOURCE: Word In Black, “Remembering Carter G. Woodson: Father of Black History,” December 19, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: NONPROFIT QUARTERLY
RIGHTS: Educational use — ART | library deco Digital Library

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Annotation — This Day in Black Art History
An original educational series by ART | library deco highlighting key figures, milestones, and cultural moments that shape the global history of Black art, archives, and creative scholarship.