Black History Month is celebrated by countless creative organizations and individuals worldwide every February, and the Copyright Alliance proudly joins them in celebration!
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 2024
Since 1976, U.S. presidents have dedicated a theme for the month, and the 2024 theme is African Americans in the Arts, which spans “the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.” The Copyright Alliance holds this theme close to our mission as we take this month to celebrate the contributions of Black creators to the copyright field.
Check out the 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 February 2024!
Blogs & Articles by the Copyright Alliance
- The Beauty and Resistance of Black Poetry Throughout History (2023)
- Black History Month 2022: Ways Black Creators are Uplifting Their Communities (2022)
- Remembering Dr. Maya Angelou During Black History Month (2020)
- A Celebration of Black Lives in Creativity (2020)
More Blogs & Articles
- Black History Month 2024 Theme (ASALH)
- A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2024 (White House)
- The time is always right: Resources for celebrating Black History Month in 2024 (Microsoft)
- Poems for Black History Month (Poets.org)
- Black History Month Lessons & Resources (NEA)
- PBS Presents a Curated Collection of Content to Celebrate Black History Month (PBS)
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 (ASCAP)
- 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)
- 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 2024
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)
- 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 2024
- 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
