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More Than a Month Can Handle

Celebrate Black history every day with the “Legends of Excellence” collection.

Celebrate the great achievements of African Americans with UMI's Black history program! By Trudi A. Gentry

Traditionally, the great achievements of African Americans in history are celebrated in the month of February, but we often forget to pay homage to the African Americans that have contributed significantly to civilization the remaining 11 months of the year.

We do ourselves a disservice when we limit celebrating the contributions of African Americans to one month. The truth is we should be reminded of the contributions by African Americans every time we stop at a traffic light, open the refrigerator, or hear of someone having open heart surgery. That is because the world is indebted to African Americans for these contributions and hundreds more.

At UMI we highlight and affirm the significance of people of color for the achievements they have made. We believe it is necessary for us to affirm our identity to encourage children, youth, and adults to be all that God intends them to be.

We encourage you to celebrate the great achievements of African Americans in history and in your life, today and every day. And our “Legends of Excellence” Black History Collection was created with that very goal in mind. This unique curriculum provides the resources you need to create a Black history learning program. The collection includes a DVD featuring 10 profiles on past, present, and future historical African American legends who have overcome obstacles and challenges to achieve their God-given destiny. Be sure to order yours today.

More Ideas for Celebrating Black History

In addition to the “Legends of Excellence” collection, here are some additional ideas for celebrating Black history in February—and all year long:

1. Read a book on a historical or current African American figure and his or her accomplishments.

2. Volunteer at a local ministry or community organization.

3. Plan or participate in a Black history event.

4. Visit a museum.

5. Watch a film or documentary about African American history or the Civil Rights era. (See “10 Black History DVDs Worth Watching” to the right.)

6. Educate young adults and children who may not receive this information in school or at home.

7. Reflect on the importance of keeping our history alive and relevant.

8. Plan a dinner featuring African or Southern cuisine.

9. Spend a day listening to the memories of an elderly friend or family member who experienced “Black history” firsthand.

10. Be thankful!

Trudi A. Gentry is marketing product manager for UMI.

10 Black History DVDs Worth Watching

These 10 dramas and documentaries offer inspiring, educational, and sometimes heartbreaking views of Black history in America. All titles are available through Amazon.com and other DVD retailers.

Buffalo Soldiers (1997). Dramatizes the story of black soldiers who served on the Western frontier following the Civil War. Featuring Danny Glover and Glynn Turman, it accurately portrays the hardships and insults the soldiers endured.

Citizen King (2004). This two-hour documentary from PBS’s award-winning American Experience series explores the last five years in the life of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

4 Little Girls (1997). Spike Lee’s powerful documentary recounts the 1963 bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed four young girls but also added national momentum to the civil rights movement.

Glory (1989). Starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, this classic is one of the few films to depict the participation of African American soldiers in the Civil War. Inspired by the letters of Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick), the young son of Boston abolitionists who volunteered to command the all-black 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

The Vernon Johns Story (1994). James Earl Jones stars as controversial minister Vernon Johns, one of the earliest voices of the civil rights movement, who was voted out as the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church because of his outspokenness on justice issues—only to be replaced by future civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.

Our Friend Martin (1999). In this entertaining and educational film for young viewers, a routine class project for a diverse group of sixth-graders turns into a magical, time-traveling adventure they'll never forget! Authentic historical footage of Martin Luther King Jr. is blended with colorful animation as the students learn about—and actually meet—the civil rights leader who challenged all Americans to turn his dream of freedom into reality.

Roots (1977). Based on Alex Haley's best-selling novel about his African ancestors, this classic TV miniseries followed several generations in the lives of a slave family. Depicts the devastation of slavery with a groundbreaking realism that helped millions of Americans see what was left out of their school history books.

Ruby Bridges (1998). The true story of Ruby Bridges, an African American girl who, in 1960 at age 6, helped to integrate the all-white schools of New Orleans and signaling a pivotal moment in the civil-rights movement.

Selma, Lord, Selma (1999). In 1965, during the turbulent early days of the right-to-vote movement, a young Alabama school girl promises to do whatever she can to help Dr. King's efforts, culminating in the famous civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery.

When We Were Colored (1996). Actor/director Tim Reid's wonderful film about life in the black neighborhood of Glen Allan, Mississippi, from the mid-'40s to the dawn of the civil rights movement. Based on Clifton Taubert’s autobiographical novel, Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored.