Every February, we observe Black History Month to honor the history, achievements, and enduring legacies of Black Americans. This annual commemoration provides an important opportunity to recognize the profound contributions African Americans have made to our nation and to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania throughout history.

When Dr. Carter G. Woodson organized the first Negro History Week in 1925, he could scarcely have imagined the lasting impact of his vision. What began as a weeklong observance has grown into Black History Month—woven into the fabric of American culture and increasingly recognized around the world. As we mark the 100th anniversary theme of this observance, its founders call on us to examine the meaning and influence of Black history and commemorations in shaping the status of Black people in the modern world.

To understand today’s world—particularly in nations where Black communities form a significant part of the population—we must reckon with the role public remembrance has played in both past and present. This year, as the United States also approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, the need to tell history that is not only inclusive, but accurate, is more urgent than ever. At a time when democratic ideals are challenged and legislative actions and book bans seek to erase Black history from schools and public life, Black History Month stands as a vital act of preservation and truth-telling. Its value lies not merely in how it supplements traditional historical narratives, but in how deeply it resonates within the lived experiences of Black people themselves.

Pennsylvania has been both the birthplace and home of countless individuals who have profoundly shaped the Commonwealth’s Black history over the past century. Among them is C. Delores Tucker, a pioneering political leader and civil rights activist who became the first Black woman to serve in a Pennsylvania cabinet, holding the office of Secretary of the Commonwealth from 1971 to 1977.

The Commonwealth is also home to Wilson Goode, Philadelphia’s first Black mayor from 1984 to 1992, whose career included service as a community activist, chair of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and managing director of the City of Philadelphia. Bayard Rustin, born in West Chester, played a pivotal role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington and later served on the executive council of the AFL-CIO.

Pennsylvania’s legislative history likewise reflects this legacy, from Speaker K. Leroy Irvis, the first African American to serve as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, to current Speaker Joanna McClinton, the first Black woman elected as House Democratic leader and Speaker.

There are many ways to recognize Black History Month in Pennsylvania. Take time to read about influential African Americans from Pennsylvania who shaped history by going to your local library or bookstore. Participate in cultural celebrations all across the state. Food is culture. Share a Caribbean, African or traditional African American recipe.

For more information on this year’s Black History Month theme, visit the website for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.