The Centennial of Black History Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

The Centennial of Black History Month

WHEREAS,the Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes February as Black History Month, a time to honor the heritage, contributions, and accomplishments of Black Virginians; and

WHEREAS,2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, first introduced in 1926 as Negro History Week by Virginia native Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the Father of Black History; and

WHEREAS, through the creation of Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson created a global movement to protect and promote Black history, heritage, and culture; and

WHEREAS,Black Virginians have played a uniquely critical role in the development of the Commonwealth of Virginia and United States of America through their immense contributions as citizens; and

WHEREAS, the first Africans arrived in the Commonwealth of Virginia as enslaved laborers at Old Point Comfort in Hampton, present-day Fort Monroe, in 1619; and

WHEREAS,in 2011, President Barack Obama declared Fort Monroe a national monument, serving as a site where all can learn about some of the darkest and some of the most heroic moments in American history; and

WHEREAS, during the American Revolution, Black Virginians, such as James Armistead Lafayette, Hercules Percy, Abraham Peyton Skipwith, and the Hemings family, were at the forefront of the fight for our country's freedom; and

WHEREAS,Black Virginians cultivated communities that became a beacon of refuge, such as the Maroons in the Great Dismal Swamp, Ziontown in Henrico County, Gainsboro in Roanoke, Israel Hill on the Appomattox River, Jackson Ward in Richmond, Batestown in Prince William County, Uniontown in Staunton, Seatack in Virginia Beach, and many more; and

WHEREAS,during the Reconstruction Era, nearly 100 Black Virginians were elected to the General Assembly between 1869 to 1890; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hampton University, Virginia Union University, Virginia State University, Virginia University of Lynchburg, and Norfolk State University are pillars of excellence that have produced thousands of leaders across the world; and

WHEREAS, Black Virginians, such as Barbara Rose Johns, Oliver Hill, Spottswood Robinson, the Arlington 4, Charlottesville 12, Norfolk 17 and Richmond 34 led resistance efforts that would serve as the foundation of Brown v. Board of Education and lead to the integration of public education throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, we honor all that Black Virginians have contributed to our Commonwealth, our country, and our American history; and

WHEREAS, in Virginia, we celebrate Black history not only to remember Virginia's full history and honor consequential Black Virginians of generations past, but to inspire current and future generations with stories and examples of strength, hope, resilience, impact, leadership, and possibility; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I,Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize February 2026, as THE CENTENNIALBLACK HISTORY MONTHin the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.