From those modest beginnings, a number of businesspersons, social workers, teachers, ministers, departments of education, and virtually all agencies and individuals with direct access to and impact on the African American community, became involved in the activities, which later were extended to cover a month. Over the years, a number of themes like the black family, black education, black explorers, the black church and black scientists have been the focus for Black History Month. While at one level the aim is to promote pride and self-esteem and enhance the cultural heritage of African Americans, at another level the hope is that through these activities other racial groups would obtain a better understanding of the African American tradition in Africa as well as the contributions of African Americans throughout the New World diaspora. During the month of February, almost every school and institution of higher learning puts on a black history program as part of their observation of Black History Month. This is the period when African American scholars and leaders are in greatest demand as schools compete to get well-known speakers to visit their campuses.
Libraries abound with displays depicting important aspects of the African American past.
Publishers and bookstores engage in considerable public relations activities as they proudly package, in a manner that is most likely to catch the attention of the public, their products relating to almost any aspect of the African American experience. Few can doubt the enormous strides that have taken place in bringing to the American public important aspects of the African American past. Through Black History Month activities, we have all become more aware of significant aspects of an experience that has enriched our nation's landscape. Partly because of changes that our nation has undergone during the 1960s, Black History Month observations have become more commonplace at educational institutions, churches, the workplace and at social and benevolent institutions. It would be disingenuous, however, for me to suggest that all is well as we seek to appreciate more fully the contributions of African Americans, or for that matter how the larger American society has shaped and continues to reshape African American culture.