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Molly Mullen Jan 25th, 2023
Being an ally to your Black friends, neighbors, and colleagues is important 365 days a year. If you are looking for ways to learn during Black History Month, below are some excellent places to start, including a few of the newest books, podcasts, films, toolkits, lectures, and exhibits.
We’ve compiled a list of resources for you to explore.
Nebraska History
NebraskaStudies.org features black History in Nebraska from the first African American settlers, to the Civil Rights Movement, to today. The website also offers lesson plans and activities for grades 4-12.
Making Invisible Histories Visible – OPS
Every summer since 2010, Omaha Public Schools’ high school students and social studies teachers have come together with university professors and students to create original content about Omaha’s diverse history. On the OPS website, you can download iBooks and lesson plans, see local comparative maps, and read more about the accounts of different racial and ethnic groups in one place.
Racial Equity Institute Workshops
Whether you are a Nonprofit Association of the Midlands member or not, you can still take advantage of this two-day REI training. It is designed to develop your capacity to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms.
Follow Connect Black Omaha. The digital platform focuses on culturally relevant events and resources, engaging local businesses, and supporting the vibrancy of Black culture. Looking to support Black-owned businesses during BHM 2022 and beyond? There’s a directory for that.
“In Their Own Image – Artifacts from the Great Plains Black History Museum”
This book is comprised of images and artifacts from the GPBHM archives with chapters on the museum, pioneers, work and labor, businesses, churches, education, organizations, the arts, civil rights, athletics, politics, and the military. Buy the book here and get a daily dose of Black history by following the museum’s Facebook page.
“Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning”
This is a reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s National Award-winning book inspires hope for an antiracist future. It shows why people feel how they feel, and why racism continues today. Read reviews and buy the book here.
Black Experience Through the Lens of Rudy Smith
With a career that started in 1963, the year Martin Luther King Jr. gave his Have a Dream speech, and ended in 2008, right after Barack Obama was elected president, photographer Rudy Smith had the unique perspective of living, making and capturing history. This beautiful 176-page, hardbound book highlights the late Rudy Smith work chronicling Omaha African American community. Purchase the book here.
“Do the Work: An Antiracist Activity Book”
By W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz, this highly illustrated, interactive workbook gives readers a hands-on understanding of systemic racism—and how we can dismantle it. It is packed with activities, games, illustrations, comics, and more.
“#OmahaBlackHistory: African American People, Places, and Events from the History of Omaha, Nebraska”
This book focuses on historical Black experiences in Omaha from 1804 to 2000. It offers hundreds of vignettes about the people, places, events, organizations, and other historical aspects that can give readers a more complete picture of the city’s history, and Midwestern American history in general. This is a great way to learn about the Black freedom struggle in Omaha and the vital role played by African Americans in Omaha towards achieving justice and maintaining freedom. Available at Omaha Public Libraries or to purchase online.
“A Kid’s Book About Racism”
Find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens. This is one conversation that’s never too early to start, and this book was written to introduce kids to the topic. Purchase the book here.
“White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better”
This is a no-holds-barred guidebook aimed at white women who want to stop being nice and start dismantling white supremacy. Beginning with freeing white women from this oppressive need to be nice, they deconstruct and analyze nine aspects of traditional white woman behavior–from tone-policing to weaponizing tears–that uphold white supremacy society, and hurt all of us who are trying to live a freer, more equitable life.
“High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America”
Food writer Stephen Satterfield unpacks the layered history of how America’s most beloved dishes—from cornbread and okra to baked mac and cheese—stem from Black culture. In this four-part docuseries, he highlights and credits the historical figures who introduced these meals and then dives into some of the techniques that make the foods what we know and love today.
“Is That Black Enough For You?!?”
This documentary brings the often-overlooked Black contributions to the cinema into the spotlight, thanks to film critic and Harvard lecturer Elvis Mitchell. It includes the perspectives from Zendaya, Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Laurence Fishburne.
“Summer of Soul”
Musician Questlove showcases the Harlem Cultural Festival that took place in the summer of 1969 and looks at its music as part of the historical record. If you love music documentaries, this is an instant classic. Watch on Hulu
“Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands”
Do you know who won the first-ever Presidential Medal of Freedom? Do you know who the first Black woman to perform at the Metropolitan Opera was? Do you know who was both a delegate to the United Nations and sang at the first March on Washington? This documentary lays out the incredible achievements of Marian Anderson, a woman who should be a household name in America.
By developing a major highway through the heart of North Omaha, the government physically sliced Omaha’s historically Black neighborhood in half. Listen to histories about the area’s residents, industry, education, streets, and so much more.
This podcast gives Black queer takes on pop culture. Since 2013, the hosts have brought witty commentary on serious and hilarious topics. The show also features listener letters, which they respond with hysterical and insightful advice.
A Kids Book About: The Podcast
This podcast is about the things that matter, like racism, body image, and belonging. Each episode opens up the dialog we’ve begun in our groundbreaking A Kids Book About series. Created by folks who’ve been there.
Host Danyel Smith, author and former Vibe editor-in-chief, celebrates the musical genius of Black women, pointing out trailblazers within the music industry that have changed the course of history. Each episode contains in-depth discussions with your favorite songwriters, producers, and artists as well as anecdotes from Danyel.
Black Girl Gone: A True Crime Podcast
Podcast host Amara tells stories of missing and murdered Black and Indigenous women in America. According to the National Crime Information Center, thousands of Black girls and women went missing in the U.S. in 2020. Still, when Black and Indigenous women go missing, the tragedy doesn’t often make national headlines. This is a place you can hear their stories.
The Malcolm X Memorial Foundation
The Foundation offers lectures for youth and adults about the nuanced life and work of Omaha’s own Malcolm X. You can see upcoming lectures and recaps of past lectures on their website.
Descendants Of Dewitty, Durham Museum, February 4 – May 28, 2023
This photo exhibition shares the history of the people of DeWitty, later known as Audacious, the largest and longest-lasting African American settlement in rural Nebraska. The settlers, including formerly enslaved people who had fled to Canada before the Civil War and their descendants, began to arrive in 1906. Plan your trip to the exhibit here.
The History of Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Great Plains Black History Museum
This exhibit will highlight 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) this year, telling their history and their role in providing quality higher education. HBCUs began with the Higher Education Act of 1965. It defined an HBCU as “any historically black college or university that was established before 1964.” Each month, the GPBHM will feature 10 HBCUs by the year they were founded. Plan your trip to the exhibit here
The African American Unity Fund supports initiatives and organizations that benefit this community in Omaha. Grounded in resident-led decision-making, the program is guided by a committee of African American representatives who understand what investments will be most impactful in addressing the needs of their community. Learn more and donate here.
Are you looking for even more resources to be an ally in Omaha? Read last year’s blog for more books, podcasts, films, workshops, and more.
You can help us strengthen our community, and we can help you make your giving more effective. Be a part of the good we’re growing by contributing to one of our funds or opening your own philanthropic fund.