Celebrating Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to come together to acknowledge our country’s history, celebrate Black freedom and achievements, and embrace diversity, inclusion, and belonging as we continue to work to advance social justice and racial equity.
Also known as African American History Month, this event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.
At S:US, it is our duty to reinforce our commitment to dismantle structural racism and raise our voices daily to continue the fight because we believe strongly that Black lives matter—the lives of our staff, the lives of the people we serve, and Black lives everywhere.
Since 1978, S:US has supported people and communities that have been marginalized, communities of color, communities impacted by poverty, people with developmental disabilities and their families, people with mental health and substance use challenges, and people with histories of homelessness.
We’re grateful to our staff for helping the people we serve change the trajectory of their lives for the better. We do this by providing and supporting access to housing, shelter, treatment and recovery services, employment and skills-building, therapeutic horticulture, and crisis programming. We create opportunities that generate permanent, positive change in the lives of thousands of our city’s most underserved individuals and families. We find solutions that contribute to righting societal imbalances.
If you or someone you know has faced harassment or discrimination, contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights by filling out the online form or by calling 212-416-0197. If you are a victim of or witness a hate crime, call 911.