About ASALH
History
Founded by Carter Godwin Woodson in 1915, ASALH is the oldest organization devoted to the study of Black life, history, and culture.
Mission
The mission is to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, history, and culture to the global community.
Vision
The vision of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is to be the premier Black Heritage learned society with a strong network of national and international branches and partners whose diverse and inclusive membership will continue the Woodson legacy.
Achievements
- Founded the Journal of Negro History in 1916 now the Journal of African American History
- Founded the Associated Publishers in 1921
- Reincorporated in 1950
- Inaugurated Negro History Week in 1926
- Founded the Negro History Bulletin in 1937 now the Black History Bulletin
- Founded Black History Month in 1976
- Founded Fire!!! The Multimedia Journal of Black Studies in 2012
- Partnered with the National Park Service in the Designation of Carter G. Woodson Home Historic Site as the 389th Unit of the National Park System
Events & Programs
Selection of Annual Black History Theme; Annual Black History Theme Resource Materials; ASALH Branches (including youth guilds and campus-based branches); Professional Speakers’ Bureau; National and local partnerships with government agencies; Promotion of national, state and local history projects
Events
Programs
Support ASALH
Branch Organizing
Consider organizing an ASALH branch in your local community! ASALH makes it easy and rewarding, providing ready-made materials with an easy-to follow step-by-step plan tailored specifically to recruit, manage, and grow a local branch. Contact the National Office for details.
Volunteers
ASALH enthusiastically welcomes any and all volunteers! Retirees, senior citizen organizations, and anybody with a flexible schedule can share their time and talents to promote the study of Black life, history, and culture. High school and college students may use volunteer service at ASALH to fulfill their institution’s community service learning requirements.
Publications
Journal of African American History
ASALH’s peer-reviewed scholarly journal
Black History Bulletin
Dedicated to historical teaching and learning. Edited by teachers specifically for K-12 educators
The ASALH Store
Purchase a variety of items such as limited edition prints by world renowned artist Charles Bibbs, books, posters, Annual Black History Theme Resource Materials, lapel pins, and holiday ornaments to show your proud support of our mission.
Donations
Donations from members and supporters provide valuable resources to create programs and materials to support Black History. Life members who make donations at the levels below are reflected in event souvenir journals.
Heritage Hero $50-$99 (for Senior members only)
Heritage Defender $100-$149
Heritage Guardian $150 or more
Heritage Crusader $1,000 or more
All donations are tax deductible
Membership
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
Click the membership type to see applicable benefits
General Membership
$95
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. Print annual subscriptions are available to members for an additional $20 for the JAAH and $20 for the BHB. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
Senior Membership
$65
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. Print annual subscriptions are available to members for an additional $20 for the JAAH and $20 for the BHB. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
Student Membership
$55
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. Print annual subscriptions are available to members for an additional $20 for the JAAH and $20 for the BHB. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
Dual Membership
$120
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. Print annual subscriptions are available to members for an additional $20 for the JAAH and $20 for the BHB. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
International (General) Membership
$120
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. Print annual subscriptions are available to members for an additional $20 for the JAAH and $20 for the BHB. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
Interim Life Membership
$360 Paid annually for 5 years*
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. Print annual subscriptions are available to members for an additional $20 for the JAAH and $20 for the BHB. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
*Life Interim membership provides an installment plan to Life Membership.
Life Membership
$1800
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
A print as well as a digital subscription to the Journal of African American History.
Associate Membership
$75
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
GROUP MEMBERSHIP
Click the membership type to see applicable benefits
Corporate Membership
$1800
A free digital subscription to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given. The digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
Corporate Members also receive:
- Two sets of the Black History Month “Kit” (Posters and other materials)
- Two print and digital subscriptions to the Black History Bulletin
- Two subscriptions to the print and digital version of the JAAH
- All the same benefits that individual members receive.
Institutional Membership
$300
Types of Institutions:
- College/University (Department)
- Non-Profit Organization
- Church/Religious Organization
- Student Organization
Two free digital subscriptions to all publications (Journal of African American History and Black History Bulletin) *Once access to our digital publications is made available members will not be able to cancel their subscription. There is no way to take access away from the member once access is given.
Complimentary print annual subscriptions are provided as well as digital subscriptions for all named publications include all back issues for the current year.
Discounts on Conference Registration Fees.
One vote at each year’s Executive Council election.
Ability to post books to the ASALH Bookshelf.
Post your news, events, and job to the ASALH Community Board for free.
Ability to present at the Annual Conference.
Ability to participate in the Author’s Book Signing Events.
Institutional Members also receive:
- Two sets of the Black History Month “Kit” (Posters and other materials)
- Two print and digital subscriptions to the Black History Bulletin
- Two subscriptions to the print and digital version of the JAAH
- All the same benefits that individual members receive.
Institutional memberships include benefits for two individuals.