"Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme.
The Black History Month 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of "visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression (Black History Month).""
Each week, come back for a spotlight on one Black artist.
This week's highlight is Maya Angelou, American author, poet, and activist. Angelou is well known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography published in 1969. In an interview, she has said, “I want to write so that the reader … can say, ‘You know, that’s the truth. I wasn’t there, and I wasn’t a six-foot black girl, but that’s the truth’ ” (10 Black Authors to Read).
Black History Month, History.com.