The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is proud to proclaim February 2025 as Black History Month. This annual celebration honors the achievements of African Americans and acknowledges their vital contributions to United States history. This year, the district is excited to spotlight the 2025 theme: African Americans and Labor, a focus on the profound and diverse ways African Americans have shaped the nation through their work—both voluntary and unfree, skilled and unskilled, vocational and organizational.
In the classroom, students across MPUSD will delve into lessons that bring the African American History Month and the 2025 theme to life. Through suggested projects and activities, they may explore how African Americans’ labor built communities, strengthened industries, and paved the way for civil rights advancements. Potential topics include the construction of thriving neighborhoods by Black architects and builders, the rise of Black-owned businesses during the Jim Crow era, and the unyielding efforts of activists who fought for fair labor laws.
Black History Month’s origins trace back to 1915, when historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Since then, this celebration has grown from "Negro History Week" to the month-long recognition we know today, officially designated each February by U.S. presidents since 1976.
African Americans have made significant contributions to society through their labor, resilience, and dedication to justice. Harriet Tubman, for example, not only led others to freedom but also embodied the perseverance of those who labored for a better future. Black labor has shaped American industry, from the cotton fields of the South to the factories of the Industrial Revolution. Today, the legacy of African Americans in the workforce continues to influence discussions about equity and progress, highlighting both historical achievements and ongoing challenges.
The district is committed to keeping this tradition alive by honoring not just the trailblazers—like Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr.—but also the everyday individuals whose labor, resilience, and creativity have shaped history.
As MPUSD highlights African Americans’ central role in history, the district reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that Black history is taught year-round. Black History Month is not just about reflection; it is also about inspiration. By learning from the past, students are empowered to imagine a future shaped by equity, inclusion, and collective progress.
The MPUSD Board of Education urges all community members to join in recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month. Together, let’s honor the invaluable contributions of African Americans to our nation and commit to carrying their legacy forward.
