MIPAD Connects Black History Month in USA to Black History Celebrations Worldwide

WASHINGTON – Feb. 1, 2022 – PRLog — The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), a global civil society organization recognizing people of African Descent in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, is working to connect Black History Month in the United States to global celebrations of Black  History. Directly addressing the complaint that Black History Month in the United States is held during the shortest month of the year.

“When you take a global worldview, you discover every month of the year, someone – somewhere is learning and celebrating Black History; not just in February,” said Kamil Olufowobi – CEO, MIPAD.  “Black History Month in the United States is a dynamic time, but our history cannot be contained in a month. We invite our brothers and sisters in the United States to join other global celebrations of Black History throughout the year.”

What began as a week-long celebration led by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®) officially became Black History Month in 1986 via a Joint Resolution of Congress and subsequent Presidential Proclamation. The celebration centered on the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass in the month of February.

Olufowobi continued, “Carter G. Woodson, ASALH® and many others fought hard for official recognition of Black History Month in the United States. However, every year – along with the celebratory events – comes the question: Why is Black History given the shortest month of the year?” Yes, let’s celebrate every day in February. Let’s also join the Global African Diaspora in celebrating Black History every month of the year.”

Global Black History Celebrations:

January 24th

 – UNESCO World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture

February – United States, Canada, Germany

March – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

April – Honduras

May – Colombia, Panama, African Union (Africa Day)

June – Peru, China (Beijing Africa Week), United Kingdom (Windrush Day), United States (Juneteenth)

July – Australia

August – Costa Rica

September – International Decade for People of African Descent at United Nations General Assembly

October – United Kingdom, Netherlands

November – Argentina, Brazil

December – Kwanza

In the month of February, MIPAD will share thoughts on Black History Month from members of the African Diaspora around the world. After February, MIPAD will share Black History celebrations around the world with unique touchpoints to the United States. These opportunities will be shared via the MIPAD Blog, social media channels, and media partners.

During the 2022 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) MIPAD will share how Black History is celebrated around the world with UNGA attendees.

International Decade for People of African Descent

Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 68/237 (http://undocs.org/A/RES/68/237) and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, the International Decade for People of African Descent (https://www.un.org/en/observances/decade-people-african-d…) celebrates the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide in line with the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations.

MIPAD is the United Nations designated organization to recognize and celebrate people of African Descent during the International Decade for People of African Descent. Each year, MIPAD identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world. Past honorees span media, government, sports, tech, non-profit, and business. These MIPAD Honorees gather for a week-long training and networking conference coinciding with UNGA.

Visit https://www.mipad.org/ to learn more about MIPAD, nominate 2022 MIPAD Honorees, and learn how to connect with global celebrations of Black History.