February is Black History Month. This month and always, we celebrate, honor, uplift, acknowledge, and amplify our Black community here in Washington, D.C. and beyond.

Racial equity is woven into the fabric of our mission – to eliminate racism and empower women – and informs our programs, policies, and advocacy work day in and day out. Our intersectional approach to justice work reminds us that there is no gender justice, LGBTQ+ justice, and economic justice without racial justice.

However, the progress we’ve made is under attack – in the form of racist legislation, rollbacks of constitutional rights and protections, and voter suppression, to name a few. Moreover, Black individuals make up more than 40% of the population in Washington, D.C., which means our neighbors, students, donors, volunteers, and staff members are disproportionately impacted by racial inequality here in the city. It is more urgent than ever to support our community and fight against the systems of oppression that continue to marginalize them.

Here are a few ways you can get involved with and support the Black community during Black History Month:

Participate in the virtual Black History Month festival hosted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. ASALH will hold innovative virtual programming in the month of February celebrating the 2024 Black History theme: African Americans and the Arts. This year’s festival will celebrate the theme of African Americans and the arts in the past, present and future starting February 1st 2024.
Make your voice heard in the fight for D.C. Statehood! There are currently over 700,000 DC residents, many of whom are Black, that do not have congressional representation. D.C. Statehood is a racial justice issue that systematically disenfranchises Black residents, tax payers, and voters. Call on Congress to support DC statehood!
Check out One Life: Frederick Douglass at the National Portrait Gallery. “This exhibition highlights the long arc and significance of Frederick Douglass’s life: from slave and fugitive to internationally acclaimed abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and statesman after the Civil War,” and will run through April 21, 2024.
Support organizations doing racial justice work in Washington, D.C. like YWCA National Capital Area! Like, repost, and share our BHM social media posts, volunteer, make a monetary donation, or donate gently used clothing or nonperishable food items to our food pantry. Your support is greatly appreciated, and directly benefits our majority BIPOC students and community.

This month and always, Black Lives Unequivocally Matter.

In solidarity,

Monica Gray

CEO, YWCA National Capital Area

Celebrate Black History Month with YWCA National Capital Area!

Affirmative Action. Let’s Talk About it.