As the United States marks a century of Black History, Black educators continue to lead efforts to honor Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who founded Black History Month. Black teachers have long served as “the griot” of their communities, carrying forward the African tradition of storytelling and oral history.
Some Black educators have risked their careers and livelihoods to ensure Black history is included in classrooms, libraries, and universities. They understand the positive educational impact when Black students see their reflection in the history books.
As the nation nears its 250th anniversary, renewed backlash against DEIA initiatives, controversy over the removal of African American historical markers in Philadelphia, and federal scrutiny of exhibits at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture have fueled ongoing debates about how America tells its story.
A century of legalizing Black History Month
In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week, which expanded into Black History Month 50 years later under President Gerald Ford. Dr. Woodson wanted Black History to be taught in the classroom, at universities, and displayed in museums across the country to showcase the contributions and achievements of Black America.
Although Congress designated February as National Black History Month in 1986, the states have largely controlled how the subject is taught inside the classroom, or if at all.
According to the Journal of Social Education, states such as Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Mississippi, and Rhode Island have passed laws requiring the teaching of Black history in public schools and monitored by Black history oversight committees. Nineteen other states have passed educational laws to support Black History, but do not have a special oversight committee.
For elementary teachers like Sundjata Sekou, who teaches third grade in New Jersey, teaching Black history is a professional calling. Sekou mobilizes other educators and community leaders to teach Black history through his workshops, such as why New Jersey was the last Northern state to Abolish Slavery.
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“Black teachers who teach Black history will continue to do so. Black educators understand the importance, relevance, and positive impact that teaching Black history has on students. As for me, I will never stop teaching Black history, regardless of Trump’s nonsensical and racist ‘anti-indoctrination ‘executive order,” Sekou passionately declared.
The cost of dismantling the Department of Education
On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education and shift programs and funding to states, laying off 1,300 federal government employees.
Since the Department of Education was founded in 1979, some Republican policymakers have long advocated for reducing or eliminating the federal role in public education, a policy shift critics argue could limit resources and educational opportunities for Black students.
Sekou explained that inside the classroom, the “dismantling of the Department of Education means civil rights enforcement becomes weaker or slower. Title I and equity-focused supports become easier to disrupt. College access becomes more difficult, and economic mobility is further stalled for Black students,” Sekou stressed.
Other school districts are grappling with whether they will receive Title 1 funding for serving low-income students. Some educators argue that there is a lot of inconsistent messaging on funding, which impacts how school districts budget and plan for the future.
President Trump also signed an executive order to ban federally funded schools and universities from implementing DEI policies. However, on February 18, a federal court issued a ruling overturning the Department of Education’s 2025 directive.
Defending Educators
Professional organizations and civil society have launched lawsuits to defend teachers and Black studies programs. In response to the Feb. 18 ruling, Sharif El-Mekki, CEO at The Center for Black Educator Development, stated that “Today’s decision protects educators’ livelihoods and their responsibility to teach honestly. At a time when many communities are facing severe teacher shortages, this signals that teachers can enter and stay in the profession, bringing their full selves to the classroom and fostering inclusive environments that prepare students for the future.
Sekou explained that the National Education Association has dedicated resources to ensuring that black educators are supported in the classroom. “I wrote the story, ‘We Will Never Stop Teaching African American History’ for NEA Today. I also know that the NEA has celebrated court victories that uphold schools’ rights to teach an inclusive curriculum. From my understanding, the NEA has taken the position that Black history is a fundamental part of the American education system.”
Black History Still a Threat
Given today’s political climate, teaching Black history remains as contested as it was 100 years ago. “I teach Black history 180 days a year—that is, every day. I use Flocabulary and BrainPOP videos about Mansa Musa, Alice Ball, Bass Reeves, Fannie Lou Hamer, the Haitian Revolution, civil rights pioneers, President Barack Obama, the birth of hip-hop and rap, the Tulsa Race Massacre, and many more topics that showcase the greatness and resilience of Black people.
Additionally, in February, my students completed projects and presented them to the entire class. It makes me feel proud to see eight- and nine-year-old students present our history and answer questions in a thoughtful and deliberate manner.”
For Black educators, teaching Black history is critical to understand the full spectrum of American history and honoring Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s legacy.