Black history, achievements, and contributions to society should be celebrated every day, yet throughout history these have been overlooked or misrepresented. The designation of February as Black History Month aims to illuminate and celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and the impacts they have on shaping our culture and society.
In honor of Black History Month, Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee compiled a list of resources that focus on supporting and celebrating Black History in Colorado in February and beyond.
Events Celebrating Black History Month
Learn through creativity! Register for a selection of workshops (in-person or virtual) facilitated by Black business owners. These workshops are great for families.
Black History and Desserts is being taught by GSCO Placement Specialist Nicie Smullen, who also owns Wicked Ambitionz/Sweet Creationz: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4fafac2caafdc70-have
Virtual Black History Month Events: https://www.denver.org/blog/post/black-history-month/
Visit History Colorado’s “African American History in Colorado” online exhibit: https://www.historycolorado.org/african-american-history-colorado-online-exhibit
Colorado State University Black History Month Programs: https://baacc.colostate.edu/programs/cultural-programs/black-history-month-programs/
Celebrate Black Stories
“Black Women Who Made History,” a community project by Girl Scout Troop 70179 of Boulder: https://sites.google.com/bvsd.org/women-who-made-history/home
What does Black History Month mean to kids? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzt3gFgYVYk
Learn about Josephine Holloway, the first Black Girl Scout troop leader: https://gsmidtn.org/about-us/josephine-holloway/
Meet Olivia J. Hooker, the first Black woman in the Coast Guard: https://storycorps.org/stories/olivia-j-hooker-pioneer-and-first-black-woman-in-the-coast-guard/
There is a growing movement to locate places in Colorado where historic events happened, but were never recorded: https://www.cpr.org/2020/08/30/colorado-history-african-american-lgbtq-women-suffrage/
Learn about the story of Colorado’s historic all Black settlement: https://www.5280.com/2020/06/dearfield-the-story-of-colorados-historic-all-black-settlement/
Support Black Owned Businesses and Artists
The Black American West Museum and Heritage Center promotes an understanding of the role that African Americans played in the settlement and growth of the western Untied States through its collections, programs, and exhibits. GSCO Customer Care Specialist Eleise Clark-Gunnells is a board member, docent, reenactor, and long-time advocate for the museum: https://www.bawmhc.org/
One of Colorado’s newest Black-owned business is Tattered Covered Bookstore. Check out some of their events: https://www.tatteredcover.com/event
Speaking of bookstores, are you searching for something new to read? Check out this list of books by Black, Brown, and Indigenous authors: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/134693.Best_Books_Written_by_BIPOC_Authors
Want to start supporting local Black-owned businesses, but aren’t sure where to start? Follow these links to discover businesses in your area, as well as Denver and Colorado Springs:
List of Black-owned Business in Denver: https://303magazine.com/2020/06/black-owned-businesses-denver/
List of BIPOC businesses in Colorado Springs: https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/our-community/bipoc-businesses/
Locate Black-owned businesses in your area: https://www.supportblackowned.com/
Minority Business Office Directory: https://oedit.colorado.gov/minority-owned-businesses
Additional Resources
Regan Byrd is a Denver-based diversity trainer and organizer. She offers online trainings for anyone who is interested in exploring more about equity. https://www.reganbyrdconsulting.com/events
The Colorado Diversity Council is committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations and employees to grow and leverage their knowledge of diversity. http://www.coloradodiversitycouncil.org/events/
We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.