Carter G Woodson
Carter G. Woodson: The Father of Black History
By Cassie Mitchell , Chase Iseghohi
In the early 20th century, a young man named Carter G. Woodson walked the coal mines of West Virginia, not as a miner but as a laborer deeply curious about the world. Born to formerly enslaved parents in 1875, Woodson grew up with limited access to formal education. Yet, his hunger for knowledge was insatiable. By the light of flickering lanterns, he read every book he could get his hands on, dreaming of a day when African Americans’ contributions to history would be widely recognized.
This passion led Woodson to break barriers. He earned his high school diploma at 20, graduated from Berea College in Kentucky, and became the second Black American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1912, following W.E.B. Du Bois. While many might consider this the pinnacle of success, for Woodson, it was just the beginning of his life’s mission: rewriting the narrative of history to include Black voices.
Woodson believed that historical ignorance was a tool of oppression. In his 1933 book The Mis-Education of the Negro, he argued that traditional education systems intentionally marginalized Black achievements, reinforcing systemic racism. Determined to correct this, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This organization became a hub for documenting and disseminating the often-overlooked stories of African Americans.
But Woodson didn’t stop there. In 1926, he established Negro History Week during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. He hoped this celebration would inspire schools and communities to educate themselves about Black history. Over time, his initiative evolved into Black History Month, officially recognized in 1976, becoming a global celebration of Black culture and accomplishments.
Woodson’s determination came with its challenges. He worked tirelessly, often funding his projects out of his own pocket. Despite limited resources, his resolve never wavered. He wrote and edited numerous books and publications, including The Journal of Negro History (now The Journal of African American History), ensuring that future generations would know the profound impact of African Americans on society.
Today, Carter G. Woodson’s legacy reminds us of the power of education to transform societies. His life’s work challenges us to confront historical omissions and honor the richness of Black history not just in February, but every day. His story is one of resilience and a testament to the impact one individual can have on reshaping the world’s understanding of justice, equality, and humanity.
As Woodson once said, “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
Let us remember Carter G. Woodson, not just as the Father of Black History, but as a beacon of what it means to fight for truth.
Sources
• Woodson, Carter G. The Mis-Education of the Negro. Associated Publishers, 1933.
• Association for the Study of African American Life and History: asalh.org
• “Carter G. Woodson.” National Park Service: nps.gov
