Lessons from the Past and the Origins of Black History Month

The talk will discuss Dr. Carter G. Woodson and his motivation to create what is now known as Black History Month and its significance today. The conversation will also include an examination of historical figures including Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. Howard Thurman and Mrs. Rosa Parks. Dr. Ashley Robertson Preston is on faculty at UF’s African American Studies department. She received a doctorate in African Diaspora History/Public History from Howard University. Dr. Preston’s teaches courses on Key Issues of Black Atlantic Thought and Mary McLeod Bethune: Black Women and Social Activism. This event is fund by Florida Humanities’ Florida Talks program in partnership with the Suwannee River Regional Library System.