东京热

In honor of Black History Month, the 东京热 (NYSED) proudly recognizes the profound history, culture, and invaluable contributions of African Americans to the State and nation. Through February, special exhibitions, educational resources, and compelling in-person and online programs will be available, highlighting the significance of Black history in New York State. The monthlong celebration underscores the value of fostering unity and solidarity among diverse cultural identities and highlights the role of education as a unifying force that bridges these varied experiences.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said,听鈥淭he celebration of Black History Month is more than just about commemorating the significant contributions of people of African descent to American history and culture. It provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the achievements of a people who have made a tremendous impact on our society and have often been overlooked or undervalued. By learning about their struggles and triumphs, we can better understand our shared history and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future. The Board of Regents and the 东京热 remain committed to igniting and inspiring teaching and learning to build a culture and society based on a foundation of access, opportunity, trust, and respect for all New Yorkers.鈥�

State 东京热 Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, 鈥淏lack History Month is a tribute to those who came before us in the relentless pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality while advocating for a better future and more inclusive society. As we participate in this month鈥檚 events and programs, let us not only celebrate the accomplishments, pride, courage, and resilience that define the Black experience but also strive for a future where the principles of liberty, inclusivity, and equity are universally embraced.鈥�

New York State Museum:

• A happening across the state is available on the Museum鈥檚 website.
• The Museum, in partnership with the State Library and State Archives, will feature the centerpiece of this year鈥檚 Black History Month observance with a special exhibition, . This exhibition opens Tuesday, February 13, goes through Sunday, March 3, and focuses on the historical connections between President Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Emancipation Proclamation. It includes two historic documents: President Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 and select pages from a delivered in New York City in September 1962 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. This draft of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation is the only surviving version of the document in Lincoln鈥檚 handwriting.
• To mark the opening of The Moral Arc Toward Freedom: Lincoln, King, and the Emancipation Proclamation Exhibition, a special program, , will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024, in the Huxley Theater.
• The spirit and music of the Jazz Era will be celebrated with featuring live performances from Project H Jazz Quartet and the musical duo Lucia and Levi from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, in the Museum鈥檚 Metropolis Hall. This program is sponsored by The Albany Musicians Association and can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
• For more information on Black History-related programming provided by the New York State Museum on how artifacts,听either archaeological or historical, help听document the history听of Black New Yorkers from the colonial period to the modern age, visit the听.

New York State Library:

• During February, on the 7^th floor of the New York State Library, a special exhibit, , will feature cases with selected books and primary source documents from the Library鈥檚 collections on President Abraham Lincoln and the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Topics of the exhibit will include Lincoln鈥檚 life, the writing of the proclamation, how the State Library came to have the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, and Lincoln鈥檚 death.
• A webinar entitled 鈥�,鈥� with Dr. Lucas Morel of Washington and Lee University, will be held from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024. To learn more about the program and how to register, visit听the .
• A webinar entitled , with Dr. Renate, Chancellor of Syracuse University, will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. To learn more about the program and how to register, visit听the .

New York State Archives Partnership Trust/New York State Archives:

• is available for use during Black History Month and beyond. The continuously expanding collection of document-based activities is developed by the New York State Archives Partnership Trust and teachers around the state. This resource is available to New York State educators with ready-to-use archival resources and learning activities aligned with the New York State Learning Standards. It contains original primary sources and learning activities along with many educational materials.
• During February, on the 11th floor lobby of the Cultural 东京热 Center, a special exhibit, , will highlight the early mid-20th century school segregation battles in Hempstead and Hillburn that were taken on by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a civil rights firm founded by Thurgood Marshall. 东京热 resources are available on .

New York State Public Broadcasting:

• Learn more about Black culture and history in New York State and beyond with PBS Learning Media. A variety of multimedia support materials are available for the classroom suited for grades PK鈥�12. To learn more about these resources, visit the .

Offices of P12 and Cultural 东京热:

• Educators are invited to utilize the and the within classroom studies. Use these remarkable primary sources to engage students and uplift their voice through project-based learning. Then, share student work with us via social media using the hashtags #BlackHistoryNY and #MyHistoryMyFuture. A full suite of classroom materials is available on the .

Social Media:

• #BlackHistoryNY: Throughout the month, the State 东京热 Department will feature information on Black History on the Department鈥檚 , , , and accounts.
• #MyHistoryMyFuture:听The State 东京热 Department and 东京热 Trust鈥擭ew York are highlighting students鈥� work and reflections on the impacts of history and its relevance to their generation. Through the #MyHistoryMyFuture social media campaign, the Department intends to amplify the voices of young people. We encourage students to not only reflect on the past but to be proud of where they come from and take action to make their schools, communities, and the world a better place for future generations.
• #StudentsExhibitingMLK and #NYSMLK:听Together with the New York State Office of General Services, the 东京热 is highlighting artwork by students from across New York that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.鈥檚 messages of equality, love, and peace. This campaign may be viewed on the Department鈥檚 social media accounts. View the 听or in person on the Empire State Plaza North Concourse in Albany.