Black History Month is celebrated annually during February. The purpose of Black History Month is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of African Americans and the significant role of African Americans in the history of the United States. It provides an opportunity to celebrate and realize the vast and numerous achievements of African Americans. It creates a yearly reminder that systematic racism exists and allows us to take a renewed look and interest in the organizational and individual efforts being made to eliminate systematic racism.

Black History Month did not start as a month, or even being termed Black History Month. Rather, it originated as a week-long celebration called Negro History week. Negro History week was created through a press release in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). For Woodson’s efforts, he is often called the “Father of Black History.” Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History week because it was during the birthdays of former President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was instrumental in the emancipation of slaves and Douglass was a leader in the abolitionist movement that fought to end slavery.

From a single press release, the idea of Negro History Week grew. Schools and communities throughout the United States organized local celebrations and events celebrating Negro History Week. Eventually, multiple cities across the country made proclamations to officially recognize Negro History Week. In the 1960’s, during the civil rights movement and growing awareness of issues facing African Americans, many college campuses expanded Negro History week into a month-long celebration called Black History Month. Kent State University is one of the first known universities to celebrate Black History Month.

The first recognition of Black History Month by the United States federal government occurred in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. President Ford directed the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since 1976, every American president has deemed February Black History Month. One thing not well known about Black History Month is each year there is an official theme for Black History Month. Amid the continuing COVID pandemic and vaccinations, it is no surprise 2022’s theme is Black Health and Wellness.

In the spirit of Black History Month, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the achievements of someone in the legal field, Thurgood Marshall. Marshall was instrumental during the civil rights movement advocating to end racism and racial inequalities in the United States. Marshall attended Howard University Law School after Maryland Law School rejected him based on his race. Marshall first started his private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. Not surprising, Marshall’s first notable legal victory was a Fourteenth Amendment lawsuit against the University of Maryland due to the rejection of applicants on the basis of race.

Marshall went on to join the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and later became the chief of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. Marshall argued before the Supreme Court of the United States thirty-two times. He won an astonishing twenty-nine of the thirty-two cases. Notably, Marshall successfully argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954. The Supreme Court ruled the “separate but equal” doctrine of public schools is unconstitutional, ending racial segregation in public schools.

In 1967, Marshall became the first African American member of the United States Supreme Court. Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Marshall stating it, “was the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place.” As a member of the Supreme Court, Marshall was a strong advocate for racial equality and supporter of all remedies to end America’s policy of “separate but equal.” Marshall was disappointed when the Supreme Court majority would often retreat from making necessary remedies. Marshall wrote, “In light of the sorry history of discrimination and its devastating impact on the lives of Negroes, bringing the Negro into the mainstream of American life should be a state interest of the highest order. To fail to do so is to ensure that America will forever remain a divided society.” Marshall also zealously dissented in any case involving the death sentence. He was a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement and devoted his life fighting for racial justice and equality. His efforts helped lay the foundation for others to follow. Marshall strived to protect the rights of all citizens, most notably those of African Americans. He paved the path for many and will forever be considered an icon for his monumental contributions.