Johnson County honors the annual observance of Black History Month

Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The 2021 theme is: “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.” 

Black History Month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of African-Americans in society as well as in the Johnson County community. The month of February allows the nation to embrace and recognize what great African-Americans have done to ensure a promising future for all generations.

The month-long, federally recognized celebration honors the contributions African Americans have made nationally and locally. Several Johnson County African Americans were trailblazers in the county’s history, including firsts to serve in local governments, in district court, in the business community and in sports as noted in this graphic.

Black families, along with teacher Corinthian Nutter, in the community of South Park, now Merriam, successful fought for equal school facilities in a landmark case, Webb vs, District No. 90, as noted in this article. That case was a prelude to the historic Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka ruling five years later that ended racial segregation of public schools.
                
This is the perfect time to explore all of Johnson County Library’s resources pertaining to Black History Month.