WHY AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH 1998?
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The month of August was re-instituted as African Heritage Month in 1980 by the Woodson-Banneker Jackson Bey Division 330 of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League and a study groups here in Washington, D.C. (Banneker City).  The African Heritage Month Committee strives to help re-affirm our educational, cultural, political, economic and spiritual commitment to ourselves and our youth.

Africans and those of African descent all over the world share a rich story (our story) therefore, we must re-commit ourselves to work collectively to become more responsible in uplifting ourselves to our traditional greatness.  Our youth need our support, love and direction in order to assure a positive future.  Our ancestors and elders have left a great legacy for us to build upon.  We must emulate our African Heritage achievements and accomplishments throughout the entire year.

August (African Heritage Month) is one month which is filled with important historical dates in our story.  The 18th Annual African Heritage Month Commemoration is predicated on the month long convention of the UNIA-ACL, the International Emancipation Day held, August 1, 1834, the establishment of the Declaration of Rights of Negro Peoples of the World in 1920 and the National Black Conventions held in August in the 1800's.

Also Africans arrived as captives to Jamestown, VA in 1619, Nat Turner’s insurrection was in 1834, the marches on Washington, D.C., were held in 1963 and 1983, the Watts Urban rebellion in 1965 and the Armistad slave ships were seized by African captives in 1796.  Liberia’s Flag Independence Day was started in August 1847, Mansa Musa’s Hajji to Mecca in 1324, and African Queen Day was organized in August originally by the Moorish Science Temple of America.

Noted birth dates during the month include Edward Wilmont Blyden, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Charles “Yardbird” Parker, Count Basie, Matthew Henson, James Fortune, Ernest Just, Dinah Washington, E. Franklin Frazier, Althea Gibson and Benjamin E Mays.

These are just a few notable dates and events which took place in August that cause us to commemorate our ancestors work.  The African Heritage Committee along with other organizations encourage the entire African community to seek out more detailed information at your local libraries and support this effort in commemorating the 18th Annual African Heritage Month here and also in your home town. For more information please contact the African Heritage Committee of the Woodson Banneker Jackson Bey Division 330 of the UNIA-ACL.

Up you mighty race, You can accomplish what you will!

Thank you for your support.

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