African American History Program Month at The National Academies

What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race, hate, and religious prejudice.

- Carter G, Woodson, 1926

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Carter Godwin Woodson, (December 19, 1875 - April 3, 1950) was an African American historian, author, journalist and the founder of what eventually became known as African American History Month, is considered the first person to conduct a scholarly effort to popularize the value of Black History. Woodson wrote, "What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race, hate, and religious prejudice."

The African American History Program (AAHP) was established in 1985 with the goal to heighten awareness of the contributions of outstanding African Americans to science, engineering, medicine, and to the nation’s welfare. In keeping with the objectives of Carter G. Woodson, the committee, its programs, the portrait collection of African Americans in science, engineering, and medicine, and the database are tools for promoting the understanding of science.

For more information, call (202) 334-2436 or email cpnas@nas.edu

JD Talasek, Director of AAHP/CPNAS
Sandra Matthews, Chair of AAHP Committee
Alana Quinn, AAHP Senior Program Associate
Martha Davidson, AAHP Research Associate