Literacy Reflections on Black History K-12 Competition & Celebration

Freedom’s Journal (1827)
The first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States. It gave African Americans a platform to share their stories, challenge discrimination, and advocate for their rights when mainstream newspapers often excluded Black voices

The North Star (1847)
Founded by Frederick Douglass, this newspaper challenged slavery and promoted freedom and equal rights. It demonstrated how writing and journalism could become powerful tools for social change.

The Chicago Defender (1905)
One of the most influential Black newspapers in American history. It reported on racial injustice, celebrated Black achievements, and encouraged African Americans to move north during the Great Migration.

The Negro Motorist Green Book (1936)
Created by Victor Hugo Green, this travel guide helped African American travelers find hotels, restaurants, and businesses that welcomed them during segregation. It shows how sharing information could help Black families travel more safely.

Ebony Magazine (1945)
A magazine celebrating African American culture, achievements, fashion, and everyday life. It helped challenge stereotypes by showing positive and diverse representations of Black communities.

The Snowy Day (1962)
Written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, this award-winning picture book features a young Black boy exploring his neighborhood after a snowfall. It was groundbreaking for portraying a Black child as the central character in an everyday children’s story.

The Hill We Climb (2021)
A poem performed by Amanda Gorman at the 2021 presidential inauguration. Her work demonstrates how poetry and storytelling can inspire hope, encourage unity, and amplify young Black voices.

BET – Black Entertainment Television (1980)
Founded by Robert L. Johnson, BET became a major television network focused on Black music, entertainment, news, and culture. It expanded opportunities for Black performers and increased African American representation in television.

The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)
Oprah Winfrey became one of the most influential television hosts and media entrepreneurs in American history. Through her talk show, she highlighted personal stories, education, social issues, and the importance of representation.

Doc McStuffins (2012)
An animated Disney Junior series featuring a young Black girl who dreams of becoming a doctor. The show encourages children to imagine themselves in STEM and healthcare careers while promoting positive representation.

Black Panther (2018)
A Marvel film featuring a predominantly Black cast and a fictional African nation called Wakanda. The movie became a cultural milestone for Black representation in superhero films and explored themes of identity, leadership, and community.

Hair Love (2019)
An Academy Award-winning animated short film about a Black father learning to style his daughter’s natural hair. It celebrates family relationships, Black identity, self-confidence, and positive representation in children’s media.

Hip-Hop Culture (1970s)
Emerging from Black and Latino communities in the Bronx, hip-hop became a powerful form of storytelling through rap music, DJing, dance, and visual art. It provided young people with creative ways to express their identities and experiences.