Black History Month: Exploring the Past, Present and Future

Duke Ellington, Dr. Mae Jemison and Crispus Attucks are some of the “hidden figures” in black American history that students will be learning about with the February theme: Black History Month.

“By creating informational brochures, comic books or storyboards, students will have the opportunity to delve into the lives of these figures in black history,” says Cheryl Adkins, program director for YouthQuest. “Through these profiles, students will learn how black Americans impacted important fields such as medicine, engineering and aviation.”

Other lessons students will learn in the month of February include:

• Exploring diversity in science by having students share current news stories related to health, medicine, new technology and more.
• Creating a patchwork quilt while studying the significance of quilting in African American history.
• Making traditional soul food including cornbread and sweet potato biscuits.

To extend learning at home, parents can do the following:

• Ask their student, “What is Black History Month?” Discuss the importance of recognizing the significance of black Americans in the county’s history.
• Attend one of the Black History Month movies at the Flint Public Library.
• Visit the Flint Institute of Arts where two exhibitions focus on African and African American art or the Mott-Warsh Gallery, a private collection of fine art created by artists of the African diaspora.

YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

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