Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey, celebrated the 100th anniversary of Black History Month by raising the Black Liberation Flag during a ceremony on Monday morning. This annual event featured a libation to honor ancestors, the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and a discussion about the significance of the flag’s colors—red, black, and green—representing the Pan-African movement.
The origins of Black History Month are linked to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, recognized as the “Father of Black History.” In 1926, he initiated a weeklong celebration in February to highlight Black history that was often overlooked in mainstream education. This initiative eventually evolved into a monthlong observance, formally recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976, thanks to advocacy from Black student activists and community leaders in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Educational Significance and Community Engagement
Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele, a history teacher at Weequahic, emphasized the importance of understanding African contributions to civilization. “You cannot examine history without understanding that Africa and its people are the progenitors of humanity and civilization,” he stated. “It is absolutely necessary that all human beings know about the contributions Black people made to the development of religions, democracy, and American and world civilization.”
The ceremony also featured guest speakers from the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition, an organization co-founded by Akinyele in 2009. He explained that the coalition incorporates aspects of Black history into its conflict resolution programs to help combat violence in the community. Akinyele noted, “Black history was so important to the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition, we even made the Amistad Law a major part of our demands list that we presented to the city and to the Newark Board of Education during its historic five-year anti-violence demonstration throughout the city.” The Amistad Law mandates that all public schools include Black history across all subject areas.
Throughout the month, Weequahic High School will host various activities, including a door decorating contest beginning on February 16 and a Black History Month Pride Assembly on February 26.
Newark Public Library Celebrates Black History Month
In conjunction with the school’s festivities, the Newark Public Library is offering a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. The library will kick off its programming on February 7 with a conversation featuring author Rain Pryor, who will discuss themes from her memoir, “Jokes My Father Never Taught Me.” This event will take place at 2 p.m. in the James Brown African American Room.
Additionally, Newark historian Junius Williams will interview author Peter D. Blackmer on February 5 at 6 p.m. about his new book, “Unleashing Black Power: Grassroots Organizing in Harlem and the Advent of the Long, Hot Summers.”
On February 14, a documentary screening of “The One and Only Dick Gregory” will occur at 12:30 p.m., featuring a discussion with Dr. Christian Gregory, the son of the late activist, and local civil rights organizer Larry Hamm. They will explore the life and legacy of Dick Gregory and his impact on social justice in America.
This year’s Black History Month exhibit, curated by Reggie Blanding Jr. and Kehinde Alonge, is titled “What’s So Funny?!: Black Comedy in America from Vaudeville to Right Now.” The exhibit traces the evolution of Black comedy from the Vaudeville era through iconic sitcoms and contemporary online skits.
For more information on the Black History Month celebrations at the Newark Public Library, visit https://www.npl.org/category/black-history-celebration/.