A Celebration of Legacy" Launched: Little Rock Nine" Hero Among Inaugural Honorees

The Luther P. Jackson Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life & History (ASALH) announces A Celebration of Legacy," the first annual celebration of the birth of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History." A unique celebration of one of Americas early warriors against racial injustice and a renowned legacy preservationist.

Alexandria, VA (November 18, 2002)¯The Luther P. Jackson Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life & History (ASALH) announces A Celebration of Legacy," the first annual celebration of the birth of Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the Father of Black History." This unique celebration of one of Americas early warriors against racial injustice and a renowned legacy preservationist is set for Thursday, December 19, 2002, 7:00PM, at the Alexandria Black History Resource Center and is hosted by Cox Communications. The Black History Resource Center is located at 638 North Alfred Street (on the corner of Wythe and Alfred Streets) in Alexandria, VA.

In the spirit of Dr. Woodson, the celebration will honor those who are making history come alive," according to Lou Phillips, President of the Luther P. Jackson Branch. Ernest G. Green, one of the Little Rock Nine" who was the first to graduate from Little Rocks Central High School, will receive the Living Legend Award." Robert Stanton, the first African American to head the National Park Service, will be presented a special History Maker" award for his longstanding dedication to preserving the legacy of African Americans. Others who have outstandingly contributed their time and resources toward legacy preservation to the benefit of their entire communities will also be lauded.

Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves James and Eliza (Riddle) Woodson, was born December 19, 1875, on a small farm in New Canton, VA. From an early age he possessed an unquenchable thirst for learning. When he could, he attended the local school, graduating at the age of twenty, and eventually enrolling into Berea College in Kentucky. Ultimately, he earned a B.A. degree from the University of Chicago in 1907; in 1908 he attended the Sorbonne in Paris, where he became fluent in French. He earned a Ph.D. degree in history from Harvard University in 1912, becoming only the second African American to be awarded that degree. Woodson taught briefly and held educational administrative posts in the Philippines, at Howard University (where he was Dean of the School of Liberal Arts), and at West Virginia State College.

Woodson was a member of the Niagara Movement and a regular columnist for Marcus Garveys weekly publication, the Negro World. In 1915 he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in Chicago. That same year, he founded the Journal of Negro History, which continues to be published today; he personally wrote more than 100 articles and 125 book reviews for the Journal up until the time of his death in 1950.

Woodson established Associated Publishers as an outlet for black writers; he also founded and edited the Negro History Bulletin. He penned more than thirty books, the best-known of which is The Mis-Education of the Negro, originally published in 1933 and still relevant today.    In 1926 Woodson initiated the annual observance of Negro History Week. He chose February because the 12th was Abraham Lincolns birthday and the 14th was the accepted birthday of Frederick Douglass. Since the 1970s, this celebration has become known as Black History Month and is celebrated throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.

This First Annual Celebration" of Woodsons birth is a proud salute and much-deserved tribute to his legacy. It is also the launch point for a movement to elevate his name and contributions so that Black History and the name Dr. Carter G. Woodson are truly synonymous. The Luther P. Jackson Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life & History has dedicated itself to extending Black History Month to the entire year and to an unending and unceasing celebration, recognition, and commemoration of the global history of people of African descent.
An ASALH membership is as low as $30 for Student members and $1,500 for corporate members. This event is free to the public; however, seating is limited and RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. To be a part of this celebration, please call 703-838-4356 and get your name added to the list; or, write to the Luther P. Jackson Branch, Association for the Study of African American Life & History, ATTN: Lou Phillips, 8200 Greensboro Drive, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102.
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Editors Note: Digital images of Carter Woodson, Ernest Green, and Robert Stanton are available by calling 703-821-3300, x501.