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The official theme of Black History Month 2020 is “African Americans and the Vote.” Black changemakers and activists have been fighting for equal rights since before our nation began. This week, we’ll be sharing resources on the history of Black civic engagement and the continuing fight for full equality under the law.

Students notice when Black history is taught only in February, but they deserve to learn this American history year-round. These resources emphasize engaging students' communities and lived experiences, including how you can incorporate local stories in lessons—and move Black history from the margins to your everyday curriculum.

Released video footage of police officers drawing guns on a young black family in Phoenix illustrates the threat of police violence and bias that black Americans live with—regardless of age. These resources can help you affirm that black lives matter, teach the roots of this violence and counter silence on this issue with productive conversations.

Amid the pandemic, Asian American people continue to experience racism, violence and harassment. These resources can help you teach the historical precedents for this moment, introduce ways for students to recognize and speak up against coronavirus racism, and start conversations with even the youngest learners about recognizing and acting to address injustice.

The PBS series Reconstruction: America After the Civil War has viewers across the country learning and talking about this critical period in U.S. history. These resources offer ways for educators to carry the lessons of Reconstruction into their schools and communities and a reminder of why we must be honest with students about the hard history of American slavery.