February is Black History Month, and there’s so much to celebrate and talk about. According to History.com, “Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.” It’s in February to coincide with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays.
Let’s see what Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are doing to celebrate and recognize Black History Month and Black creators in their community.
On Facebook Watch, you will find a series this month called “Forward: The Future of Black Music” which will highlight and showcase the talents of Black music artists like Chance the Rapper, John Legend and more! This special will debut on February 16th and will last throughout Black History Month. This will also be available to watch with your friends using Facebook Messenger’s watch together feature. Here’s when you can watch your favorite artists:
- Yara Shahidi ft. Neelam: Feb. 16
- John Legend ft. D Smoke: Feb. 19
- Erykah Badu ft. Tobe Nwigwe: Feb. 23
- Chance the Rapper ft. his brother Taylor Bennett: Feb. 26
Lift Black Voices and We The Culture are hubs on Facebook where you can find features from the Black community in the past and present and where Black creators are honored and showcased for their work.
On Instagram, #ShareBlackStories is being highlighted and boosted, which has been a hashtag on Instagram for a while to highlight Black creators and see the stories that the community creates. Follow the hashtag to see the stories from the Black community and more.
“You can also #ShareBlackStories by using new creative tools, conceptualized by Black voices on Instagram, including camera effects inspired by the rich cultural history of telling stories through African mud cloth patterns.”
#BlackHistoryMonth on Twitter is filled with honoring Black artists, musicians, creators, and more.
According to Social Media Today, “Twitter’s also providing opportunities for Black designers and content strategists to hold 1:1 meetings with Black mentors over the next month.”
Sign up here for the Twitter Design and Research BHM UX Mentorship Program. Interested Black creators can get mentorship in design, content strategy, research, and research ops. The program is run by Black mentors on the Twitter Design and Research team.