Today marks the start of Black History Month, a time for a celebration of and reflection on the achievements of African Americans. Though the recognition and celebration of African American life, art, culture, and history should be sustained year-round, we take this essential time to reflect on, review, and revise the place of the African American experience in the national consciousness—and hopefully, carry this awareness with us in our daily lives, now and throughout the rest of the year.
In your celebration of Black History Month, don’t forget to delve into the rich tradition of African American poetry with the works of poets like Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton, Robert Hayden, Langston Hughes, Yusef Komunyakaa, Claude McKay, Claudia Rankine, Evie Shockley, Afaa Michael Weaver, and many more. Visit our Black History Month page for a selection of poems from these poets and others, as well as videos, audio poems, essays, lesson plans, archival letters, and more.