Dr. Carter G. Woodson

Each February all around the country, African-Americans celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of the members of our race. For a people so often discounted and disdained by the larger American culture, a time to reflect on the positive is positively imperative. And such an effort was begun by Carter G. Woodson in 1926.

Carter G. Woodson was the son of slaves. He was born in 1875 and became an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. During his lifetime, he spent his days encouraging the appreciation and advancement of his race.

A lot of people have great ideas, but only the most dedicated and diligent execute them. Dr. Woodson began his campaign to highlight what is right and good and noble about Blacks in 1926 with what he called Negro History Week. That was the genesis of what we know today as Black History Month.

He was certain, unashamed, and emphatic about the inherent worth of the Black man and woman. And he was not timid about expressing his views. Listen to a few of his quotes.

“When you control a man’s thinking, you do not have to worry about his actions.”

“If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”

“The confidence of the people is worth more than money.”

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”

Dr. Woodson died at the age of 74. There is an historic site in Washington D.C. dedicated to his work. And there are millions of us dedicated to his legacy of celebrating each February that which is right and good and noble about the Black man and woman.