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Press Releases

Home > Documents > Press Releases

ASALH TO HOST FIRST VIRTUAL NATIONAL CONVENING

ASALH, the premier organization for the study of African American Life and History will host its first virtual national...

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USPS Unveils Kwanzaa Stamp to Celebrate African American Heritage

PITTSBURGH — The United States Postal Service today unveiled a new stamp design honoring Kwanzaa, a Pan-African American holiday...

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“Why We’re Going to Pittsburgh”: ASALH Brings its Conference to the Keystone State with Annual Theme: “African Americans and the Arts”

PITTSBURGH, Penn.— The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is proud to announce its...

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Norton Introduces Bill To Create Commemorative Coin To Honor Paul Lawrence Dunbar

Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act to direct the Secretary of...

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Black History Month Letter to the ASALH Membership and Friends from the President’s Desk

ASALH will celebrate the return of our annual in-person Black History Month Luncheon on Saturday, February 24th, 2024 at...

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A circular logo reads The Association for the Study of African American Life and History and ASALH Book Prize in gold and black text, set against a blue geometric background—highlighting Black Health, Wellness, and achievement.

The ASALH Book Prize for the best new book in African American history and culture

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We’re back! ASALH celebrates African Americans and the Arts during its annual Black History Month Festival

ASALH will celebrate the return of our annual in-person Black History Month Luncheon on Saturday, February 24th, 2024 at...

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We Are Running to the Fight! ASALH Brings its Conference to Jacksonville, Florida with Annual Theme: “Black Resistance”

ASALH is going to Florida with a purpose, and we invite all persons interested in sharing their scholarship, expertise...

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The Inaugural Southwest Juneteenth Festival: History, Heritage, and Hope

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Why We Are Going To Florida for Our Conference

ASALH is going to Florida with a purpose, and we invite all persons interested in sharing their scholarship, expertise...

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The mission of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®) is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.

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The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (EIN: 53-0219640) is a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization. Contributions to ASALH are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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The Association for the Study of African American Life & History was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of #BlackHistoryMonth.
Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) was a pioneerin Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) was a pioneering Black educator, orator, and leader whose contributions to the labor movement and Black history were rooted in his belief in economic self-reliance, industrial education, and the transformative power of work. Born into slavery, Washington rose to national prominence after founding Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881, where he built an institution focused on training African Americans in trades such as agriculture, carpentry, printing, and domestic sciences. He saw vocational education not as a limitation but as a pathway to empowerment, arguing that Black workers could gain economic stability, community pride, and long-term influence by becoming indispensable through their skills. Washington encouraged Black people to “cast down their bucket where they were,” to work hard, build wealth, and establish self-sufficient communities. He worked with both Black leaders and white philanthropists to fund educational initiatives and Black-owned businesses, laying the groundwork for cooperative economics and future labor organizing. While his emphasis on accommodation and economic progress over direct political confrontation sparked debate—especially among more radical thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois—Washington’s approach helped elevate the role of Black labor in America’s development. His legacy endures in the continued pursuit of economic justice and vocational excellence in the Black community. #ASALH #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #BookerTWashington
It’s National Volunteer Week, and what better ti It’s National Volunteer Week, and what better time to make history with us? 🙌🏾 We’re calling all changemakers, history lovers, educators, and lifelong learners to volunteer for the 110th ASALH Conference in Atlanta this fall! Your time and talent can help shape an unforgettable experience. Link in our bio under “ASALH Important Links”! #ASALH #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #ASALHAtlanta #ASALH110 #VolunteerWeek #ATL2025 #MakeHistoryWithUs #ASALHVolunteers
Next up in the ASALH Authors Book Series: An Effic Next up in the ASALH Authors Book Series: An Efficient Womanhood by Natanya Duncan. This compelling work highlights the pivotal role women played in shaping the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), from its 1914 inception in Kingston, Jamaica. Through Duncan's meticulous research, we learn how women, empowered by UNIA cofounder Amy Ashwood Garvey, built the foundations of Black Nationalism and Pan#panafricanism #ASALH #ASALHBooks #EfficientWomanhood #UNIA #BlackWomenInHistory #PanAfricanism
Call for Posters and Proposals 📢 ASALH is now Call for Posters and Proposals 📢 ASALH is now accepting submissions for our 110th Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA — happening September 24–27, 2025! This year’s theme, African Americans & Labor, invites fresh perspectives on the legacy, impact, and power of Black labor across history. Submit your poster, individual paper, panel, or media session and join us in keeping Carter G. Woodson’s mission alive. 🗓️ Deadline: May 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST 🔗 Submit today at asalh.org/conference/call-for-proposals
Featured Title: Living the California Dream: Afric Featured Title: Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era by Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson. A third-generation Californian, Dr. Jefferson is a historian and heritage conservation consultant whose work highlights the Black experience, historical memory, and spatial justice. Through public history projects, cultural tourism, and community storytelling, she brings visibility to the overlooked histories of African Americans in California. Her award-winning book uncovers how Black communities created joyful, resilient spaces during segregation—shaping a legacy that continues to inspire. Learn more about her work at www.alisonrosejefferson.com. #ASALHAuthors #BlackHistory #LivingTheCaliforniaDream #PublicHistory #HistoricalMemory
Sarah White (also known as Sarah Hamer, 1958–202 Sarah White (also known as Sarah Hamer, 1958–2020) was a trailblazing labor organizer and revolutionary humanist who played a central role in the Catfish Workers union drive in Mississippi during the 1980s and 1990s. A fearless advocate for the rights of Black working-class women, White brought her deep political insight and unwavering commitment to justice into every space she occupied—from the shop floor to the union hall to the pages of News & Letters, where she wrote the longstanding column “Woman as Reason.” Her activism wasn’t confined to a single campaign; in the mid-1990s, she co-founded the Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights alongside fellow radical organizer Jaribu Hill, who continues to lead the organization today. Together, they built a movement rooted in human dignity, collective power, and a vision for liberation shaped by the voices of Black women workers. White’s legacy lives on not only in the lives she touched, but also in the ongoing work of comrades like Hill and in the scholarship and organizing efforts of a new generation committed to telling these stories and continuing the fight. #ASALH #SarahWhite #AfricanAmericansAndLabor
D.C. Emancipation Day, observed on April 16th, mar D.C. Emancipation Day, observed on April 16th, marks the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act in 1862, which freed over 3,000 enslaved individuals in Washington, D.C.—nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation. This historic moment was a pivotal step toward the abolition of slavery in the United States and holds deep significance in Black history as a symbol of resistance, freedom, and progress. It also impacted the labor movement by highlighting the transition of Black Americans from forced labor to the ongoing struggle for fair wages, workers’ rights, and economic justice. The day serves as a reminder of both the progress made and the continued work toward equity and dignity for Black workers. ASALH will be closed on April 16th in commemoration of D.C. Emancipation Day.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey was a pivotal figure in the B Marcus Mosiah Garvey was a pivotal figure in the Black liberation movement and a champion of Pan-Africanism. Born in Jamaica in 1887, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914, which became the largest Black organization of its time. His vision was to unite people of African descent worldwide to advocate for economic independence, self-determination, and the cultural pride of Black people. Garvey’s philosophy of Black empowerment, which emphasized the need for economic self-sufficiency and the establishment of a Black nation, resonated deeply within communities across the globe, inspiring movements for racial pride and unity. Garvey's impact extended far beyond his time, influencing generations of activists and leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. His establishment of the Black Star Line, a shipping company designed to facilitate trade between Africa and the African diaspora, was an ambitious effort to create economic independence for Black people. Although Garvey faced persecution and was eventually imprisoned on charges of mail fraud, his ideas lived on, shaping the future of Black political thought and activism. His legacy remains a cornerstone of the Pan-African movement, and his call for a united and self-reliant African diaspora continues to inspire movements for Black liberation and equality worldwide. #ASALH #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #marcusgarvey
On this day, April 11, 1968, President Lyndon B. J On this day, April 11, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law, also known as the Fair Housing Act. This landmark legislation was enacted in the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., addressing the pervasive issue of racial discrimination in housing. The Act prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. It also strengthened federal enforcement of these anti-discrimination laws, ensuring greater access to housing opportunities for marginalized communities. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 had a profound impact on Black history by challenging the entrenched systems of racial inequality, particularly in housing. Before its passage, Black Americans faced widespread discrimination in securing housing, often being denied access to homes in predominantly white neighborhoods. By prohibiting such discriminatory practices, the Act opened the door for Black families to access better housing, fostering economic growth and mobility. It also served as a powerful symbol of progress in the Civil Rights Movement, reinforcing the ongoing fight for justice and equality. This critical legislation remains a cornerstone in the effort to dismantle institutional racism and promote a more inclusive society.
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ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

3 days ago

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) was a pioneering Black educator, orator, and leader whose contributions to the labor movement and Black history were rooted in his belief in economic self-reliance, industrial education, and the transformative power of work. Born into slavery, Washington rose to national prominence after founding Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881, where he built an institution focused on training African Americans in trades such as agriculture, carpentry, printing, and domestic sciences. He saw vocational education not as a limitation but as a pathway to empowerment, arguing that Black workers could gain economic stability, community pride, and long-term influence by becoming indispensable through their skills. Washington encouraged Black people to “cast down their bucket where they were,” to work hard, build wealth, and establish self-sufficient communities. He worked with both Black leaders and white philanthropists to fund educational initiatives and Black-owned businesses, laying the groundwork for cooperative economics and future labor organizing. While his emphasis on accommodation and economic progress over direct political confrontation sparked debate—especially among more radical thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois—Washington’s approach helped elevate the role of Black labor in America’s development. His legacy endures in the continued pursuit of economic justice and vocational excellence in the Black community.Learn More: www.history.com/articles/booker-t-washington#ASALH #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #BookerTWashington ... See MoreSee Less

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ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

3 days ago

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History
It’s National Volunteer Week, and what better time to make history with us? 🙌🏾We’re calling all changemakers, history lovers, educators, and lifelong learners to volunteer for the 110th ASALH Conference in Atlanta this fall! Your time and talent can help shape an unforgettable experience.Sign Up Today: asalh.org/conference/volunteers/#ASALH #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #ASALHAtlanta#ASALH110 #VolunteerWeek #ATL2025#MakeHistoryWithUs #ASALHVolunteers ... See MoreSee Less

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ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

5 days ago

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Call for Posters and Proposals 📢ASALH is now accepting submissions for our 110th Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA — happening September 24–27, 2025!This year’s theme, African Americans & Labor, invites fresh perspectives on the legacy, impact, and power of Black labor across history. Submit your poster, individual paper, panel, or media session and join us in keeping Carter G. Woodson’s mission alive.🗓️ Deadline: May 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST🔗 Submit today at asalh.org/conference/call-for-proposals ... See MoreSee Less

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ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History

1 week ago

ASALH: Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Sarah White (also known as Sarah Hamer, 1958–2020) was a trailblazing labor organizer and revolutionary humanist who played a central role in the Catfish Workers union drive in Mississippi during the 1980s and 1990s. A fearless advocate for the rights of Black working-class women, White brought her deep political insight and unwavering commitment to justice into every space she occupied—from the shop floor to the union hall to the pages of News & Letters, where she wrote the longstanding column “Woman as Reason.” Her activism wasn’t confined to a single campaign; in the mid-1990s, she co-founded the Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights alongside fellow radical organizer Jaribu Hill, who continues to lead the organization today. Together, they built a movement rooted in human dignity, collective power, and a vision for liberation shaped by the voices of Black women workers. White’s legacy lives on not only in the lives she touched, but also in the ongoing work of comrades like Hill and in the scholarship and organizing efforts of a new generation committed to telling these stories and continuing the fight.#ASALH #AfricanAmericansAndLabor #SarahWhite ... See MoreSee Less

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