Countless creative organizations and individuals around the country (and in other parts of the world) celebrated Black History Month from February 1 to February 28, and the Copyright Alliance was thrilled to be among them!
According to History.com, “Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of ‘Negro History Week,’ the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.”
Copyright Alliance Celebrated Black History Month 2023
Since 1976, U.S. presidents have dedicated a theme for the month, and the 2023 theme is Black Resistance, which “acknowledges [that] black resistance strategies have served as a model for every other social movement in the country, thus, the legacy and importance of these actions cannot be understated.”
Check out the 2023 resources that we compiled below from across the creative community — including videos, events, blogs, movies, documentaries, and more from many of our member organizations — to enable everyone to explore the history and importance of this celebration, and the wealth of creativity of Black Creators, during the month of February 2023!
2023 Black History Month Events
- February 10: (Part 1) 2023 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (USPTO)
- February 14: (Part 2) 2023 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (USPTO)
- February 24: (Part 3) 2023 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (USPTO)
Blogs & Articles by the Copyright Alliance
- The Beauty and Resistance of Black Poetry Throughout History
- Black History Month 2022: Ways Black Creators are Uplifting Their Communities
- Remembering Dr. Maya Angelou During Black History Month
- A Celebration of Black Lives in Creativity
More Blogs & Articles
- Black History Month 2023 Theme (ASALH)
- A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2023 (The White House)
- Black History Month in 2023 (Illusion of More)
- Black History Month, Day 1: A Petition for Justice Nearly 20 Yards Long (Library of Congress)
- White House Black History Month: Mental Health and Wellness in the Black Community (The White House)
- The Tumultuous Days of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (Picturing Black History)
- LOC Celebrates African American History Month (Library of Congress)
- Create Change: Conversations with Creators (Adobe)
- Honoring Black Women and Their Creations During Black History Month (Comcast NBCUniversal)
- The Black Record Label That Introduced the Beatles to America (Smithsonian Magazine)
- Black History Month: Black Military History Crowdsourcing (Library of Congress)
- Celebrating Black History Month (The Credits / Motion Picture Association)
- UFC Launches Month-long Celebration of Black History Month (UFC)
- Black History Month: Family Health, Hidden in DNA (Library of Congress)
- Tearing Down the Barriers for Black Inventors Begins With Honoring Their Historic Breakthroughs (Smithsonian Magazine)
- Pioneering Journalist Ethel Payne Wasn’t Afraid to Stand Out (Smithsonian Magazine)
TV/Movies/Documentaries/Videos
- Copyright Spotlight: Professor Lateef Mtima on Copyright & Social Justice (U.S. Copyright Office)
- 7 Black Pioneers Every Podcaster Should Be Thankful For (BIPOC Podcast Creators)
- Netflix’s Strong Black Lead Releases Trailer for New Digital Series on Black Photographers (WBLS)
- Five Documentaries to Stream During Black History Month (Fox News)
- 29 Notable African Americans Who Helped Change the World (ABC 6 Action News)
- When I See Black (Adobe)
- The Walt Disney Company Celebrates Black History Month (Disney)
- Making History: The Future and Legacy of Black Entertainment (SAG-AFTRA)
- Black History Month TV guide: 10 Shows That’ll Teach You a Thing or Two About the Black Experience (USA Today)
- The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure (EPCOT | Walt Disney World)
- Voices of the Civil Rights Movement (NBCUniversal)
- Conversations That Matter | The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity (Motion Picture Association)
Books/Articles/Blogs/Essays
- The Origin of Others (Toni Morrison)
- What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays (Damon Young)
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower (Brittany Cooper)
- The Art of Healing: A Nostalgic Ode to Black Hair Braiding (Library of Congress)
- ASCAP’s 2022 Fight for Change and #BlackLivesMatter Initiatives
- BMI Celebrates Black History Month (BMI)
- Black Lives Matter Statement (Getty Images)
- A Celebration of Black Lives in Creativity (Copyright Alliance)
- ASCAP Celebrates Black History Month (ASCAP)
- WarnerMedia Celebrates Black History Month (WarnerMedia)
- Remembering Dr. Maya Angelou During Black History Month (Copyright Alliance)
- Blurry Lines: The Complex Intersection of Race & Intellectual Property Neil Turkewitz (Medium)
- From the Desk of David Newhoff: Is Copyright Good for Black Artists? David Newhoff (UNP Blog)
Juneteenth 2023
On June 19, we reflect on the history of slavery in the United States alongside the ongoing fight for racial equality and commit to using our resources and platform to uplift Black voices and promote positive change. To learn more about the history and how to commemorate Juneteenth, check out the Smithsonian’s informational guide. Below you’ll also find additional blogs written by Copyright Alliance Organization Members.
- Celebrating the flavors of Juneteenth (Adobe)
- Honoring Juneteenth: Marking a year of progress (Adobe)
- A Special Juneteenth Town Hall Conversation – “Generations in the Making: A Reckoning with America’s History” (ASMP)
- Define the Narrative – Juneteenth: Facts vs. Myths (DGA)
- “Candyman” Director Nia DaCosta’s Stirring Juneteenth Message (MPA)
- BET Celebrates Juneteenth and the Resilience of the African American Spirit With a Curated Compilation of Uplifting Long and Short-form Content Under Its ‘Content for Change’ Initiative (Paramount)
- Juneteenth and Protest Photography (PPA)
- Celebrate Juneteenth With These Star-Studded Musical Events From Questlove, Robert Randolph, Anthony Hamilton & More (Recording Academy)
- SAG-AFTRA Celebrates Juneteenth 2022 (SAG-AFTRA)
- Sony Music Group Honors & Recognizes Juneteenth (Sony)
Creators We Are Highlighting for Black History Month 2023
- Mary Blige; Singer/Songwriter
- Shalom Blac; Makeup YouTuber
- Alma Thomas; Artist
- Ryan Kyle Coogler; Film Director, Producer, and Screenwriter
- Dylan Davis; Transgender Digital Creator
- Samira Wiley; LGBTQIA+ Actress
- Imani Perry; Author and Columnist
- Jordan Casteel; Figurative Artist
- Marcus Gardley; Poet, Playwright, and Screenwriter
- Tyler Mitchell; Photographer and Filmmaker
- Oluwole Omofemi; International Artist
- Zack Fox; Stand-up Comic, Rapper, and Actor
- Steve Lacy; Musician, Song-writer, and Producer
- Uruba Slaughter; Abstract Painter
- Nina Robinson; Documentary Photographer and Educator
- Nikyatu Jusu; Writer, Director, Producer, and Educator
