Black History Month, Then and Now
The Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH), founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1915, is recognized for establishing Black History Month. (Learn more about its history here.) Senior Planet spoke with Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, the National President since January 2025, about her role and the organization. Dr. Whitehead is also a Professor of Communication and Africana Studies at Loyola University in Maryland. She carries forward a mission that spans over a century: to research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate Black history throughout the year, not just during Black History Month.
How did you get involved with this work?
My father was active in the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina, which instilled in me a deep concern for how we teach, promote, and protect our history. Being elected as national president during a politically transformative time was significant. It was a moment to boldly declare that Black history will not only be celebrated in February but will also be uplifted, protected, and preserved throughout the entire year.
What core values guide your work at ASALH?
Our mission is embedded in our name. We unite people and ideas to promote the understanding that Black history is integral to the American narrative. Without Black history, there is no American history; we are essential to the story of how America developed.
We are committed to disseminating Black history through various platforms, including our journal, our bulletin, our Black History Month events, and our annual conference. Our goal is to ensure that everyone can connect with ASALH, no matter where they are.
What challenges does the organization face?
Black history is under attack. Our history cannot be erased; it was written in pen, filled with the ink and blood of our ancestors. I encourage people to focus on their role in preserving history—learning it, teaching it, and uplifting it. We must not dwell on those who seek to erase us but instead concentrate on those committed to preserving our legacy.
How can older adults get involved in honoring the passage of knowledge?
There are three key actions people can take. First, join ASALH. Membership is crucial; being part of the conversation is vital. Change cannot happen from outside the room. As Shirley Chisholm said, if there isn’t a chair for you, bring your own. Joining ASALH also means engaging with our history through essential documents like our journal and bulletin. Lastly, you must build the muscle of resistance. It’s not instinctual; it requires training to understand what it means to resist.
Want to trace your own family history? Check out Senior Planet’s February 24 session on Digital Genealogy Tools. Details are here.
What does aging with attitude mean to you or to ASALH?
Aging with attitude means recognizing that as long as you are here, you have a purpose, a voice, and work to do. It involves committing to care for yourself—your mind and body—so you can continue to contribute to society. If you are aging with grace and purpose, it signifies that you have knowledge and experiences to share, along with the energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Attend their February luncheon on February 28, or get involved with an ASALH branch near you.
Want to know more about Black History? Check out Senior Planet’s features on The National Black Doll Museum, The African American Cultural Garden, The True West: America’s Black Cowboys, Bonnetta Adeeb Shows Seeds of Resistance, and join us on February 18 for a virtual tour of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington DC. Details are here.
YOUR TURN:
What do you do for Black History Month? Share your ideas in the comments!
Photo: Marty Williams Photography
NaBeela Washington, an emerging Black writer, holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor’s in Visual Advertising from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been published in Eater, The Cincinnati Review, and others. Learn more at nabeelawashington.com
The Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH), founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1915, is recognized for establishing Black History Month. (Learn more about its history here.) Senior Planet spoke with Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, the National President since January 2025, about her role and the organization. Dr. Whitehead is also a Professor of Communication and Africana Studies at Loyola University in Maryland. She carries forward a mission that spans over a century: to research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate Black history throughout the year, not just during Black History Month.
How did you get involved with this work?
My father was active in the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina, which instilled in me a deep concern for how we teach, promote, and protect our history. Being elected as national president during a politically transformative time was significant. It was a moment to boldly declare that Black history will not only be celebrated in February but will also be uplifted, protected, and preserved throughout the entire year.
What core values guide your work at ASALH?
Our mission is embedded in our name. We unite people and ideas to promote the understanding that Black history is integral to the American narrative. Without Black history, there is no American history; we are essential to the story of how America developed.
We are committed to disseminating Black history through various platforms, including our journal, our bulletin, our Black History Month events, and our annual conference. Our goal is to ensure that everyone can connect with ASALH, no matter where they are.
What challenges does the organization face?
Black history is under attack. Our history cannot be erased; it was written in pen, filled with the ink and blood of our ancestors. I encourage people to focus on their role in preserving history—learning it, teaching it, and uplifting it. We must not dwell on those who seek to erase us but instead concentrate on those committed to preserving our legacy.
How can older adults get involved in honoring the passage of knowledge?
There are three key actions people can take. First, join ASALH. Membership is crucial; being part of the conversation is vital. Change cannot happen from outside the room. As Shirley Chisholm said, if there isn’t a chair for you, bring your own. Joining ASALH also means engaging with our history through essential documents like our journal and bulletin. Lastly, you must build the muscle of resistance. It’s not instinctual; it requires training to understand what it means to resist.
Want to trace your own family history? Check out Senior Planet’s February 24 session on Digital Genealogy Tools. Details are here.
What does aging with attitude mean to you or to ASALH?
Aging with attitude means recognizing that as long as you are here, you have a purpose, a voice, and work to do. It involves committing to care for yourself—your mind and body—so you can continue to contribute to society. If you are aging with grace and purpose, it signifies that you have knowledge and experiences to share, along with the energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Attend their February luncheon on February 28, or get involved with an ASALH branch near you.
Want to know more about Black History? Check out Senior Planet’s features on The National Black Doll Museum, The African American Cultural Garden, The True West: America’s Black Cowboys, Bonnetta Adeeb Shows Seeds of Resistance, and join us on February 18 for a virtual tour of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington DC. Details are here.
YOUR TURN:
What do you do for Black History Month? Share your ideas in the comments!
Photo: Marty Williams Photography
NaBeela Washington, an emerging Black writer, holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor’s in Visual Advertising from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been published in Eater, The Cincinnati Review, and others. Learn more at nabeelawashington.com
