On January 31^st 2024, President Joseph R. Biden released A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2024. It has been customary for all presidents to release such proclamations since President Clinton began the tradition in 1996. Here is a key excerpt of this year’s:

“Unbowed by the forces of hate and undaunted as they fought for centuries against slavery, segregation, and injustice, Black Americans have held a mirror up to our Nation, allowing our country to confront hard truths about who we are and pushing us to live up to our founding ideals.  They have helped redeem the soul of our Nation, ensuring the promises in our founding documents were not just words on a page but a lived reality for all people.  In the process, the vibrancy of Black history and culture has enriched every aspect of American life.”

The announced theme of Black History Month 2024 is “African Americans and the Arts”, with a focus on the visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural expression.

In our series, we will cover music, literature, and cuisine.