Black History Month

In recognition of Black History Month this February, we have curated a selection of resources below to help you discover, celebrate, and honor the Black linguists, orators, singers, authors, and poets whose voices and stories continue to shape the evolution and artistry of the English language.

  • Celebrate Black excellence during your visit to Planet Word by downloading our themed-experience guide.
  • Watch past program videos with leading contemporary authors, poets, and experts across a variety of fields like Julie Washington, Clint Smith, Tony Keith, Jr., and more.
  • Head over to our blog to learn from celebrated authors and scholars like Kelly Wright, Adam Bradley, Jason Reynolds, and more.
Themed Experience

Black Voices and Stories

Celebrate Black History Month at Planet Word! Download the Black Voices and Stories Themed-Experience Guide for your next visit and enjoy the identified interactive galleries that highlight Black excellence in a variety of creative fields.

Download the guide

Featured Programs

Special Event

Exclusive Screening: TALKING BLACK in AMERICA: SOCIAL JUSTICE

February 08, 2025 | 4:00 p.m.

$0 | Friedman Family Auditorium

Join Planet Word in celebrating Black History Month with a special screening of TALKING BLACK in AMERICA: SOCIAL JUSTICE, the fifth program in the Emmy award-winning TALKING BLACK in AMERICA series. The documentary is…

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Featured Past Program

Eyes on Reading: Julie Washington with Emily Hanford — Supporting African American Children’s Reading Success

November 02, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.

Are you a teacher in the DC area working in diverse classrooms? A parent concerned about your child’s reading progress? Join us for an enlightening morning with Dr. Julie Washington, a…

Watch Online
Featured Past Program

How the Word is Passed with Clint Smith

February 01, 2022 | 8:00 p.m.

When poet and Atlantic staff writer Clint Smith set out to explore how the history of American slavery is interpreted and memorialized, he did so with an open mind and…

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Featured Playlist

Between the Lines with Jason Reynolds

The Between the Lines with Jason Reynolds series highlights Black representation in the literary arts, featuring writers and educators like Tony Keith Jr., Kokayi, and Glory Edim. Through storytelling, they explore the power of the written word as a tool for personal expression and driving social change.

Watch the playlist

Words Matter, Stories Matter

At Planet Word, we feature the words and works of numerous Black linguists, orators, singers, authors, and poets on our walls, in our galleries, and in our Present Perfect gift shop. Check out this list of books from celebrated Black authors on our Bookshop.org storefront.

Read the list

Explore African American history and culture with this collection of poems, articles, and podcasts curated by the Poetry Foundation.

Explore the collection
Watch the documentary
Language Matters

Talking Black in America

African American English is one of the most controversial language varieties in the United States. Its speakers are often criticized as speaking “bad English,” but its rappers, musicians, poets, and performers have driven countless musical innovations and pop culture trends in the United States. The documentary TALKING BLACK in AMERICA tells the complicated story of African American English through interviews with linguists and conversations with native speakers.

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From the Advisory Board

Empathy, Art, and Telling Important Stories

Planet Word Advisor Jason Reynolds is the bestselling author of many award-winning books, including Long Way Down, which is featured in our magical Schwarzman Family Library. In this Q&A, we ask Reynolds some questions about the role of empathy in his work and the importance of telling stories like Long Way Down.

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