Page 5 - TO EAC Newsletter Q1 2021

Honoring Black History Month

Created by Harvard graduate and scholar Carter G. Woodson in 1926, Black
History Month is celebrated every February as a tribute to the achievements
of African Americans who have helped shape American history. Black Histo-
ry Month is celebrated in February to coincide with the birthdays of both
abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. Woodson, a
life-long educator, began with just a week-long program to encourage the
study of African American history. In 1976, it was expanded to the entire
month of February.

While February has past, it is important to honor these important accom-
plishments all year long. For example, life would be pretty dim without the
contributions of Lewis Latimer. Not only did he help Alexander Graham Bell
with the telephone, but he also developed a longer lasting lightbulb. Simi-
larly, Alice Parker’s natural gas fueled central heating still makes all of our
homes warmer in winter. And Frederick Jones’ contributions to x-ray tech-
nology and refrigeration are still saving lives and keeping our food fresh
more than 70 years later. While there are a multitude of achievements
made by African Americans in all aspects of life, here are links to more in-
formation to their work in history, art, and science.

Transcripts and videos of events celebrating Black History spread through-
out the company can be found here. The Atlanta-based employee resource
group, VOICE, hosted a fabulous “What’s Cooking” event, and will have ad-
ditional events later this year. Additionally, Birmingham-based ACTION col-
laborated with others to host the discussion panel “Importance and Rele-
vance: Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”