06/15/2025
Honoring Fathers & the Father of Black History: Dr. Carter G. Woodson
This Fatherās Day, we honor the fathers and father figures who nurture, guide, and uplift their families and communities. We also celebrate the lasting legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson ā the visionary educator, historian, and activist known as the Father of Black History.
Born on December 19, 1875, in Virginia to formerly enslaved parents, Woodson defied the odds to become a pioneer in African American scholarship. In 1912, he became only the second African American to earn a PhD in history from Harvard University, following W.E.B. Du Bois.
Determined to ensure Black stories were preserved and told, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915 ā now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). He launched āNegro History Weekā in 1926, which later expanded into Black History Month, officially recognized in 1976.
His writings, including The Mis-Education of the Negro (1933) and A Century of Negro Migration (1918), challenged the systemic erasure of Black contributions from American history and helped awaken generations to the power of historical truth.
Dr. Woodson played a crucial role in bringing African American history into both academic study and public awareness. His lifeās work reminds us that history is not just about the past ā itās a living force that shapes our identity, informs our present, and guides our future.
At Greenwood Rising, we carry his mission forward by preserving the stories of Black resilience, resistance, and excellence ā right here in Tulsa and beyond. Just as fathers build legacies through love, strength, and leadership, Woodson built a foundation of truth, pride, and cultural empowerment.
Today, we proudly honor all the fathers ā in our homes and in our history ā who have paved the way!
