As October begins in the UK, Black History Month 2023 begins a time of celebration, somber reflection and recognition of black culture and history.
To add to the conversation, HELLO! takes a look at how some notable stars are celebrating Black History Month, which falls in February in the US. From the stage to the presidential palace, here’s how some of the world’s biggest names have celebrated the month in the past and set the stage for their future contributions.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama, the first African-American woman to serve as first lady, used her role to celebrate Black History Month from the White House. In 2016, Michelle highlighted the contributions of African American women to dance by hosting workshops for local students. Indeed, anyone who has read her best-selling memoir, “Becoming,” will know how close the former first lady cares about local work.
Michelle Obama celebrated Black History Month 2015 with a salute to women who played a role in the civil rights movement.
In 2023, Michelle promoted her nonprofit campaign “When We All Vote” during Black History Month on February 22nd. Her campaign, launched in 2018, encourages Black communities to work together to empower each other and close the racial voter turnout gap. In a video shared by Michelle on Facebook, she said: “We need to make sure every eligible voter can cast their vote easily.” When We All Vote’s co-chairs include Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, Kerry Washington and Jennifer Lopez.
Meghan Markle
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated Black History Month 2020 with an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard, revealing the couple’s list of Black History Month Next Generation Trailblazers. This is a group of people known for their efforts to combat prejudice and who have offered personal inspiration to Harry and Meghan.
During Black History Month 2022, the two made their first public appearance together at the NAACP Image Awards. Accepting the award, Meghan said: “For the millions of young women who will rightly find inspiration in this moment, let us remember that black achievement is something that exists not just today or yesterday, and not just in moments of celebration, but so.” a fabric woven into the entire chronicle of American history.”
Meghan Markle has been vocal about the racism she has experienced.
It’s no secret that Meghan’s integration into the royal family has been difficult, and widespread speculation about how race plays a role should not be ignored. Black History Month is certainly a time that Meghan is close to on a personal level, and it won’t surprise anyone to hear more from the Duchess in the years to come.
Beyonce
Queen Bey is certainly the queen when it comes to announcing major news on the first day of Black History Month. In 2017, the singer announced her pregnancy with twins on the first day of February, captioning the post on Instagram: “We want to share our love and happiness. We were blessed twice. We are incredibly grateful that our family will grow by two people and we thank you for your well wishes – The Carters.”
Six years later, Beyoncé waited until the first day of Black History Month 2023 to announce her Renaissance world tour. The tour itself made music history as it grossed $296 million and had 20 more shows to go – a world record for a black artist.
Kerry Washington
American actress Kerry Washington showed her unwavering loyalty to Black History Month last year with a photo of Beverly Johnson – the first black woman to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine in 1974. A solemn and beaming portrait of Kerry appeared alongside the Instagram post. Looking intently into the eyes of the camera, she captioned the photo: “Our story is a tapestry of beauty, culture, power, community, resilience and strength. And despite all of it – the pain and the joy – black women have suppressed it.”
Kerry further explained the photo: “She showed little black girls, the fashion industry and the WORLD that black is beautiful and powerful.”
Fast forward to Black History Month 2023 in the US and Kerry continues to mentor Black women who have made their mark in culture. “This year, once again, I celebrate the joy, triumph, love and resilience of some amazing Black women who came before me and share how they inspire me,” she said on Twitter, Today X.
Rihanna
Rihanna, the halftime headliner of this year’s Super Bowl, hosted a campaign during Black History Month through her nonprofit Clara Lionel Foundation that honored climate justice leaders, including Colonel Charles Young, the first Black superintendent of the National Park Service. Launched by the Fenty founder in 2012, the Clara Lionel Foundation works to prepare the Caribbean for natural disasters and help it become the world’s first climate-resilient zone.
For her efforts, Rihanna received the President’s Award at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards.
Rihanna may have become the richest woman in music in 2021 as she achieved billionaire status, but the “We Found Love” star is definitely giving back by supporting charity. In total, the Clara Lionel Foundation has spent more than $54 million on justice initiatives in the Caribbean and the United States.
Robin Roberts and Lara Spencer
Robin Roberts and Lara Spencer took Black History Month celebrations to a national level as the Good Morning America hosts announced the start of a series celebrating the impact of America’s historically black colleges and universities. On the last day of the month, Robin took to Facebook and said, “We enter and stroll this morning on the last day of Black History Month by highlighting the influence and impact of historically Black sororities and fraternities…also known as the Divine 9… coming soon on #GMA.
Robin Roberts joined Good Morning America in 1995, four years before her counterpart Lara Spencer.
Together, the co-hosts witnessed the performance of the Divine Nine, a group of five fraternities and four sororities, on February 28th – the last day of Black History Month in the USA.
Robin Roberts read to children at Barnes & Noble during Black History Month 2009
Robin also leaves her own mark on Black history, as she was the first African-American sportswriter for ESPN in 1990. The “baller and broadcaster” etched her name into the history books while overcoming her own health issues. In 2007, viewers watched as she bravely announced her breast cancer diagnosis live on television.
Comments are closed.