All Of It — “100 Years of Black History Month”

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Dr. K. Wise Whitehead (Professor of Communication & African American Studies, Loyola University; National President, ASALH)
Date: February 3, 2026

Overview

In celebration of the centennial anniversary of Black History Month, host Alison Stewart welcomes Dr. K. Wise Whitehead, a leading scholar and the national president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)—the organization that founded Black History Month. The episode explores the origins, legacy, and ongoing significance of Black History Month, with a deep dive into its evolution, the importance of inclusive history teaching, and how individuals and communities can commemorate and carry forward black history in the face of contemporary challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origins of Black History Month

[03:33]

• Carter G. Woodson’s Vision:
  Dr. Woodson, born to formerly enslaved parents in Virginia, became the second African American to receive a PhD from Harvard. He founded ASALH in 1915 and, in 1926, initiated "Negro History Week."
  • “He was uniquely concerned about the ways in which young black children were being educated within the school system. Hence the title of his book, ‘The Miseducation of the Negro.’” — Dr. K. Wise Whitehead
• Why February?
  Chosen for its proximity to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb 14), both already significant in Black communities.

The Expansion from Negro History Week to Black History Month

[04:50]

• Grew from a week to a month, especially after pressure from the Black community during the U.S. bicentennial in 1976, leading to President Ford’s official proclamation.
• “We have been holding up what he [Woodson] has put forward since 1926. We set the theme every month. ... Over time, Negro History Week spread across the country...and it was in 1976...that the White House issued the first official proclamation.” — Dr. K, [04:02]

The Importance of Annual Themes

[05:39]

• Woodson established themes to help communities focus on specific aspects of history, ensuring a comprehensive view beyond slavery or civil rights.
• “He actually wanted Negro History Week to be Negro History Year.” — Dr. K

Challenges in Preserving Black History

[06:37]

• The “nadir” period: Post-Civil War, Reconstruction, and the rise of legal segregation (Plessy v. Ferguson).
• The struggle to keep black history visible, bridging the gap between academia and community.
• “There was a problem with trying to hold on to our history...making sure the information was transferred from the academy...down to the community...Negro History Week is that intentional time set forward so that folks...go into the community, making sure the history is getting into the hands of everyone.” — Dr. K

Black History as American History

[08:16]

• Black history is integral to the American narrative; understanding US history requires acknowledging the role of Black Americans from before Columbus through every major event and war.
• “Black history is American history...You can’t discount all the ways that we have contributed to American society.” — Dr. K

Black History in School Curricula

[09:57]

• Black history has often been marginalized or siloed ("taught kind of in the sidelines"), but efforts now focus on integrating it throughout the year and across subjects.
• Ongoing challenges due to systemic resistance (white supremacy, curricular erasure).
• “Another battleground is the classroom. The narrative that young people are taught helps them to figure out how they see themselves...in the longer continuum of American history.” — Dr. K

Underrecognized Figures and Daily Resistance

[12:03]

• Dr. K. urges learning about lesser-known Black historical figures, such as William Wells Brown—a pioneering anti-slavery lecturer, novelist, and playwright.
• “I’m calling on people...to do what I call exercises of daily resistance...Knowledge is a form of resistance.” — Dr. K
• Host Alison Stewart recommends learning about Elizabeth Jennings, an early transit rights activist in New York.

Listener Shout-Outs and Listener-Driven History

[15:14]-[23:43]

• Listeners call/text in to recognize unsung heroes:
  • Julius Rosenwald (philanthropist, built over 5,000 schools for Black Americans)
  • Marcus Garvey (Pan-African leader)
  • Pauli Murray (civil rights lawyer, coined “Jane Crow”)
  • Julia Baxter (legal trailblazer, related to Brown vs. Board of Education)
  • Constance Baker Motley (first Black woman to argue before the Supreme Court)
  • Hubert Harrison (progressive thinker)
  • Bessie Coleman (pioneering Black aviator)
  • Carol Hobson (pilot, United Airlines)

Responding to Erasure of Black History

[18:27]

• Recent removals of Black history content from government sites noted as dangerous.
• Dr. K. advocates for documenting and sharing knowledge:
  • “As they are taking down our history...we’re working just as hard...to make sure there’s a permanent print of our history...I’m thinking about generations to come...If the history is distorted, they will be the generation that will then not understand the true contributions that Black people...have made to America.”

Centennial Observance: This Year’s Theme & Call to Action

[23:53]

• Dr. K encourages engagement:
  • Amplify local Black history activities, join organizations like ASALH, buy and gift banned books, support Black press.
  • “There is no sideline work this month. We need everyone to be a gardener. Help us to plant these seeds so we can go forward from here.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why Black history matters to all:
  “We’re arguing Black history is American history, which means it’s part of the larger story that everybody should be studying.” — Dr. K, [08:16]
• On teaching Black history in schools:
  “It used to be you would get the textbook and then the boxes along the side, they would talk about Black people as if it wasn’t part of the American history story.” — Dr. K, [09:57]
• On daily learning:
  “Every day they should learn one new fact about Black history and they should share, like, get more people as allies then as enemies, helping them to understand the importance of our history.” — Dr. K, [12:03]
• On persistence and progress:
  “America is a place that is becoming browner. It is a place that is becoming more equal. It is a place that's becoming more based in equity...I don't think you can stop the progress that's been done.” — Dr. K, [19:36]
• On the centennial's importance:
  “We need everyone to be a gardener. Help us to plant these seeds so we can go forward from here.” — Dr. K, [24:52]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:33] — Origins and vision of Carter G. Woodson
• [05:39] — Importance of annual Black History Month themes
• [06:37] — Early challenges for Black historians
• [08:16] — Why Black history is American history
• [09:57] — Black history in school curricula
• [12:03] — Daily resistance: Underrepresented figures (William Wells Brown)
• [15:14-23:43] — Listener shout-outs: Unsung Black and ally figures
• [18:27] — The dangers of black history erasure; strategies to resist
• [23:53] — Centennial theme and ways to actively engage

Conclusion

This episode underscores that Black History Month is not just about remembrance but about ongoing education, active participation, and resistance against erasure. Both host and guest invite listeners to deepen their awareness, celebrate lesser-known figures, and engage in daily acts of historical resistance and learning—ensuring Black history’s central place in the American story for generations to come.