Black History Month is being marked by educators with renewed focus amid ongoing debates about race, education, and social justice. The Colorado Education Association (CEA) has released a range of classroom resources to help teachers incorporate Black history into their curriculum.
According to the CEA, integrating stories of Black leaders, activists, artists, and everyday people is important for recognizing their contributions and helping students understand different perspectives. “Celebrating Black History Month is more important than ever in today’s tumultuous political climate. Issues like racial justice, equality, and representation continue to shape our society, making it crucial to acknowledge Black history as a key part of American history,” the CEA stated. The association noted that Black achievements have often been overlooked in traditional education.
The CEA recommends including figures such as aviator Bessie Coleman, activist Bayard Rustin, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in social studies lessons. It also highlights the use of materials from projects like the 1619 Project and oral histories collected during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA). National institutions such as the National Museum of African American History & Culture provide resources for educators.
Several local organizations are available for further learning in Colorado. These include the Center for African & American Studies at CU Boulder, Stiles African American Heritage Center in Denver, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in Denver, and others across the state.
The CEA’s Department of Civil and Human Rights has recommended books by Black authors suitable for various age groups. Early childhood titles include “There Was a Party for Langston” by Jason Reynolds and “Dream Big Little Leader” by Vashti Harrison. For elementary students, recommendations include “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson and “Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry. Middle school students are encouraged to read works like “One Crazy Summer” by Rita Williams-Garcia. High school selections feature autobiographies such as those of Ida B. Wells and Malcolm X.
Educators can find additional book lists through the National Education Association (NEA), which offers resources that highlight resilience and creativity among Black individuals throughout history.
Art is another area emphasized by the CEA. Teachers are encouraged to explore works by Black artists using online exhibits or museum collections such as those from the Smithsonian American Art Museum or the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Music and dance are also suggested ways to engage students with Black culture—genres like jazz, blues, soul, as well as dances such as Lindy Hop or breakdancing can be introduced in classrooms using accessible recordings from institutions like the Library of Congress.
The aim of these resources is to foster understanding about identity, fairness, and equality while providing practical tools for educators during Black History Month.
