February is Black History Month, a tradition that started in the Jim Crow era and was officially recognized in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebrations. It is a time to honor the contributions the Black community has made throughout U.S. history — from civil rights leaders and artists to politicians and entrepreneurs.

Each year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the official promoter of Black History Month, chooses a different theme. This year, the theme is “Black Resistance.”

“African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores,” the ASALH says of this year’s theme. “These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction.”

Below are links to local events happening throughout February:

Wake County Public Libraries https://www.wakegov.com/events?field_department_target_id=All&field_event_type_target_id=474&location=All

City of Raleigh https://raleighnc.gov/parks/celebrate-black-history-month-things-see-and-do

Town of Apex https://www.apexnc.org/1403/Black-History-Month

Town of Cary https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/events/special-events/black-history-month-programs

NC Museum of History https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/black-history-month

Town of Wake Forest https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/meetings-events/celebrate-black-history-month

Black History Month Event Guide from the News & Observer https://www.newsobserver.com/living/article271726522.html

Black History Month Guide from WRALhttps://www.wral.com/black-history-month-guide-to-events-around-the-triangle-raleigh-durham/20101542/

Black History Across NC https://www.nctripping.com/black-history-in-north-carolina/

Spectacular Magazine https://spectacularmag.com/events/parade/

NC State University https://diversity.ncsu.edu/aacc/black-history-month/

There are many other ways to celebrate and learn more about Black history — not just this month, but all year round.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Support Black-Owned Businesses
• Donate to Charities that Support Anti-Racism Equity and Equality
• Support Black Artists by buying a book, a painting, or a ticket to a show
• Participate in Online Events
• Learn About Noteworthy Black Figures and Their Contributions