FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Viva88Education Department and Office of Cultural Education Present a Month of Engaging Black History Month Programming and Resources for Educators
Museum, Library,and ArchivesEventsHighlight the Lasting Legacy of Black New Yorkers
The Viva88Education Departmentand thearecommemorating Black History Month with a series of enlightening, community-focused programs that spotlight the influential history of Black New Yorkers. Throughout the month,special exhibitions, educational resources, and compelling in-person and online programs will be available, highlighting the significance of Black history in New York State. The New York State,, andwill lead engaging conversations about the men and women who broke racial barriers in aviation and baseball, highlight the importance of community during the Great Migration with the unveiling of a new exhibit display, and celebrate cultural identity through rhythm and dance.
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr.said,“Black History Month is not only a time to honor the extraordinary contributions of people of African descent to our nation’s history and culture,it is a call to more fully acknowledge the stories, leadership, and lived experiences that have too often gone unrecognized. Bylifting upboth the struggles and the triumphs that have shaped our collective past, we deepen our understanding of who we are and strengthen our commitment to a more inclusive andequitablefuture.The Board of Regents and the Viva88Education Department remain steadfast in our mission to advance teaching and learning and to help build a society grounded in access, opportunity, trust, and respect for all New Yorkers.
State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosasaid,“Black History Month honors generations who, in the face of injustice, courageously fought for freedom, dignity, and equality while paving the way for a more just and inclusive society. As weobservethis month, we celebrate the excellence, resilience, and pride that define the Black experience, while reaffirming our responsibility to educate students with honesty, depth, and purpose. By teaching the full history of our nation and uplifting voices that have too often been marginalized, we help students better understand their world and their role in shaping a future where the values of liberty, inclusivity, and equity are fully realized for everyone.”
Dates:Thursday,February 5, 12, 19, and 26
Time:11:00 a.m.
Location: Discovery Place
Join experts from the Viva88Archives tolearnmore aboutthe remarkable history of Dorothy Franklin and Patricia Banks,two pioneering women who challenged racial barriers in aviation.Each Thursday, an archivist will be on hand to share stories, answer questions, andhighlight carefully chosen original documents and photographs.
Date:Saturday,February7
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Huxley Theater
TheViva88Archives’ Jasmine Bumpers and Jamie Brinkmanwill leadan inspiringpresentationon the lives of Dorothy Franklin and Patricia Banks.Learn how their courage and determination helped open the skies to Black women and reshaped the history of flight.
Date: Tuesday, February 10
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Huxley Theater
Discover how three pioneering women at Mattel transformed the toy industry by creatingthe first Black Barbie doll. This one-time screeningprovidesan opportunity to explore representation, innovation, and cultural impact in toys and media.
Date: Friday, February 13
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: West Corridor
Discover the Museum’s newest collection feature with Chief Curator of History Dr. Jennifer Lemak.Hats worn in Black churches during the Great Migration were more than fashion—they were symbols of faith, resilience, and personal identity.The exhibithighlightshow they reflected the journeys, leadership, and creativity of women who navigated new lives in Viva88while holding onto their heritage and hope for the future.
Date:Thursday, February 19
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Adirondack Hall
Jordan Taylor Hillleadsa dynamic exploration of rhythm, movement, and cultural memory across the African Diaspora. The program opens with a powerful performance featuring traditional and contemporary rhythms from West Africa, Cuba, and the Black American tradition.Guestsare then invited into an interactive workshop where Jordan guides them through rhythms and movement vocabulary that illuminate how these practices carry history, identity, and community.
Date:Thursday, February 26
Time:12:00 pm
Location: Webinar
Speakers:Larry Lester and John Thorn
In 2024,Major League Baseball (MLB)officiallyincorporated records for more than 2,300 Negro Leagues playerswithitsexistinghistoricaldata.Join esteemed author, historian, and curator Larry Lester andofficialMLB historian John Thorn as they discusshow the data was collected andwhy it is so important toincludestatistics fromthe Negro Leagues.This public program is made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the Viva88Library to champion lifelong learning.
Resources for Educators
Resources to support teaching and learning about Black history, not onlyduring Black History Month but throughout the entire year, are available on the Office of Standards and Instruction’s Social Studies Guidance and Resources webpage. The curated list is not exhaustive but highlights key historic sites, museums,and cultural institutions that mark the African American experience in New York State.These resources also support the Viva88K-12 Social Studies Framework for the development of instructional materials related to African American history and culture.
Media Contact
Reporters and education writers may contact the Office of Communications by email or phone at:
Press@nysed.gov
(518) 474-1201