Written by Black365 AC Library Employee Resource Group
Black History Month is a time to learn about the achievements of African Americans and their central role in U.S. history. Celebrating Black History is more than remembering the past, it's about envisioning a hopeful future. We celebrate Black History Month at AC Library in February and honor Black history and culture throughout the year through our events and our collection of books and materials.
Origins of Black History Month
In 1915, Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History”, established The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He was inspired by a Chicago celebration of the 50th anniversary of emancipation. Woodson was an educator, author, and historian who wanted future generations of Black students to be inspired by their history and to achieve even greater accomplishments. Woodson also founded The Journal of Negro History in 1916.
In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson created the inaugural week-long observance of Black history called Negro History Week. Every year, he built Negro History Week into a cultural institution by setting themes and providing educational materials to demonstrate the contributions people of African descent had made to American history and modern culture. With the help of other Black educators and activists, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month.
President Gerald R. Ford became the first president to issue a message recognizing Black History Month during the United States Bicentennial. Then in 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244 designating February as Black History Month.
The Theme for 2026 is A Century of Black History Commemorations
For its 100th theme, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History encourages us to “explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world”. Black voices and stories must be centered, remembered, included, and celebrated in American history and culture.
Celebrate Black History Month with AC Library!
Join us this February at these AC Library locations to explore a variety of programs and events celebrating African American achievements, history, and Black joy.
- 1st Tuesdays Book Club: James by Percival Everett, a Dublin Library online event on February 3 from 1–2 pm.
- Movie Time: “The Princess and the Frog” at Centerville Library, February 5 from 3:30-5:15 pm.
- Story Quilt Craft at Albany Library on Saturday, February 7 from 2–3:30 pm.
- An Afternoon with Melanie DeMore at Castro Valley Library on Saturday, February 7 from 2–3 pm.
- Family Fun Night: Fresh Juice with author/illustrator Robert Liu-Trujillo at Castro Valley Library on Tuesday, February 10 from 6–7 pm.
- The Page Turners Book Club: James by Percival Everett at Castro Valley Library, February 10 from 7–8 pm.
- Valentine’s Day Family Movie Time: “The Princess and the Frog” at Newark Library, February 14 from 2:30–4:30 pm.
- Family Movie: “Queen of Katwe” at Dublin Library, February 15 from 2-3:45 pm.
- Arts & Crafts: Woven Paper Kente Cloth at Dublin Library, February 18 from 4-5 pm.
- Family Movie: “Akeelah and the Bee” at Dublin Library, February 18 from 5:15-7:15 pm.
- Are you Ready to Learn with Andre Thierry – Music Program at Newark Library, February 22 from 3–4 pm.
- Family Movie: “Space Jam: A New Legacy” at Dublin Library, February 25 from 5-7 pm.
- Gardening with Kids: The Bee and Me with CompostGal Lori Caldwell at Dublin Library, February 26 from 4-5 pm.
- Art History for Kids: Alma Thomas at San Lorenzo Library on Saturday, February 28 from 12–1 pm.
- Film Screening: The Apology at Castro Valley Library on Saturday, February 28 from 2–3:30 pm.
- Movies at Albany Library-Nickel Boys (Oscar Nominated Movie) at Albany Library on Saturday, February 28 from 2–4:30 pm.
- Are you Ready to Learn with Andre Thierry – Music Program at Union City Library, February 28 from 11 am–12 pm.
- Movie Screening: The American Society of Magical Negroes at Dublin Library, February 28 from 2:30-4:15 pm.
- Are you Ready to Learn with Andre Thierry – Music Program at San Lorenzo Library, February 28 from 3–4 pm.
Celebrate Black History Month in Alameda County and the Bay Area
- Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain - Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) Exhibit open through Sunday, March 1.
- Lunar New Year x Black History Month: Celebrating Asian & African American Solidarity in Oakland on Saturday, February 7.
- Salsa Rueda Festival in San Francisco, February 12-15
- 2026 Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society Black History Celebration, Saturday, February 14, from 12-4 pm at the Silliman Center, 6800 Mowry Ave., Newark.
- Black Joy Parade in Oakland on Sunday, February 22
- San Lorenzo Unified School District Black History Month Celebration at Edendale Middle School on Wednesday, February 25
eResources about African American History and Culture
- Black Freedom Struggle Collection: Diversity & Ethnic Studies eBooks: This subscription collection includes academic eBooks related to diversity, anti-racism, ethnic studies, disability studies, gerontology and age studies, migration studies, gender and sexuality studies, cultural studies, and religious studies.
- Black Life in America: The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media, 1704 to today.
- Discover & Go: Discover & Go provides instant online access to free and low-cost tickets to museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other fun local cultural venues. This includes free entry to the Oakland Museum of California to visit the exhibition, Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain.
- Diversity & Ethnic Studies eBooks: This subscription collection includes academic eBooks related to diversity, anti-racism, ethnic studies, disability studies, gerontology and age studies, migration studies, gender and sexuality studies, cultural studies, and religious studies.
- Ebony Magazine Archive: Ebony is one of the key African American magazines of the 20th century, covering 20th and 21st-Century current events, art, design, politics and culture, literature, advertising, and more. Search for Kwanzaa to see a variety of articles.
- Ethnic Diversity Source: With its curated full-text materials, Ethnic Diversity Source is essential to support the study of African Americans, Arab Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Jewish Americans, Latinx Americans, Multiracial Americans, and Native Americans, among others, with respect to their cultures, traditions, social treatment, and lived experiences.
Booklists
Nonfiction and fiction books about experiences and cultural impacts of African American individuals and movements. Stories from the past and present which nourish young dreams and visions for today and the future.
A sampling of nonfiction and fiction works about history and themes which illustrate how events impact young people and also the powerful impacts young people have in movements.
Works about varied experiences in African American life and culture, including historical overviews, local biography, and contemporary movements.
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