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Black History Month

The month of February is a time to honor the achievements of Black Americans in U.S. history. Since its first observance in 1970 at Kent State University, Black History Month (also known as African American History Month) has evolved into a country-wide celebration.

Did you know…

• The first Black American to win the Academy Award in 1963 for Best Actor was Sidney Poitier.
• In 1988, Oprah Winfrey became the first woman to own and produce her own talk show, the first Black American to own a production company, and later the first Black woman billionaire.
• Lonnie G. Johnson, American inventor and an aerospace engineer, invented the Super Soaker, the iconic water toy in 1989.
• Micheal Jordan won six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and revolutionized sports marketing and branding.
• Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy wins by a female artist, with 32 awards as of 2023, solidifying her status as a music icon.