Black History Month has been an important and integral part of United States history for decades, and since inception, its importance and presence have branched out to other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland. Black History Month is especially important and worthwhile to embrace and highlight when it comes to the arts, because Black creativity and culture have shaped current-day art in countless meaningful ways. While we cannot provide comprehensive information about Black history as a whole, we do want to provide some insight regarding the history of Black History Month and why it’s celebrated, current ongoings related to Black creatives, and general resources for continued education of Black history, both in general and specific to art. The History of Black History Month The original precursor to Black History Month was known as Negro History Week and was created in 1926 by author and historian Carter G. Woodson. Emphasis at its core was placed on
Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to focus on mental wellness and combat stigma against mental health issues. Even during an average year, World Mental Health Day is a significant and valuable undertaking, but in the wake of 2020, an especially challenging year for many, we want to provide a spotlight on this important day, as well as resources and insights from professionals in the mental health field. What is World Mental Health Day? World Mental Health Day is observed each year on October 10th, as an opportunity to bring to light the importance of mental well-being, and to draw attention to mental health issues around the world. It was first observed in 1992, and has since become a significant opportunity for individuals to openly discuss their mental health and challenges they face, as well as a chance for professionals in the mental health field to talk about their work and what needs to be done to make mental health needs attainable for people around the world. This year