2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Black History Month being formally recognized nationwide. This builds on the work Carter G. Woodson began to ensure Black history would never be erased or ignored. That history reminds us of a powerful truth: Black people have shaped, and continue to shape, this country and expand freedom for everyone. From the abolition of slavery to the Civil Rights Movement to ongoing fights for educational equity, workers’ rights, women’s rights, and voting rights, progress has always been driven by Black communities organizing, resisting, and demanding change. In this moment, Black History Month calls for more than remembrance; it calls us to love, unite, and act.
This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a moment to reflect on the core ideals of our democracy: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; the rule of law; and a commitment to the public good. While many Americans feel these ideals are under threat today, Black Americans have lived with that reality since before the nation’s founding. Hard-won gains are being challenged, Black history is being restricted, and civil rights protections are being weakened. In Minnesota and beyond, Black, brown, and immigrant families are facing increased fear and harm. These struggles are deeply connected—when one community is targeted, all of our freedoms are at risk.
At NAZ, we see this moment as an opportunity to honor Black history as foundational to our nation while recommitting to our work: strengthening outcomes for children, building community power, and affirming a future where every child’s story is valued and told. When scholars see themselves reflected in history, culture, and leadership, it builds identity and confidence. That is why celebrating Black History Month is essential to our cradle-to-career mission.
Throughout the month, we will be sharing videos from NAZ scholars reflecting on what Black History Month means to them and what it means to be Black today. Their voices remind us that Black history is living, evolving, and inseparable from the future we are building.
We invite our community to do more than celebrate. Learn the truth. Speak up. Show up. Protect your neighbors. Invest in Black and immigrant futures. Our liberation is intertwined, and our strength has always come from unity. This is why we remember—and how we move forward, together.