About ASALH

Established on September 9, 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, we are the Founders of Black History Month and carry forth the work of our founder, the Father of Black History.

We continue his legacy of speaking a fundamental truth to the world–that Africans and peoples of African descent are makers of history and coworkers in what W. E. B. Du Bois called, “The Kingdom of Culture.” ASALH’s mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about Black History, to be, in short, the nexus between the Ivory Tower and the global public. We labor in the service of Blacks and all humanity.

ASALH is the world’s oldest learned society devoted to the research, education, culture, and history of people of African descent. Dr. Carter G. Woodson is the recognized “Father” of Black history. From its inception, ASALH has remained the paramount organization dedicated to promoting scholarship involving the life and history of African Americans.

OUR VISION

The vision of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is to be the premier Black Heritage learned society with a strong network of national and international branches and partners whose diverse and inclusive membership will continue the Woodson legacy.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®) is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.

STRUCTURE

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®) is head-quartered in Washington, D.C., 301 Rhode Island Ave, NW in Washington, DC. The Association operates as local, state, and international branches promoting greater knowledge of African American history through a program of education, research, and publishing.

ASALH FORMER PRESIDENTS

1916-1917, George Cleveland Hall 1917-1920, Robert E. Park 1921-1930, John R. Hawkins 1931-1936, John Hope 1936-1951, Mary McLeod Bethune 1952-1964, Charles Harris Wesley 1965-1966, Lorenzo J. Greene 1966-1967, J. Reuben Sheeler 1968-1970, J. Rupert Picott 1971-1973, Andrew Brimmer 1974-1976, Edgar Toppin 1977-1980, Charles Walker Thomas 1981-1982, Earl E. Thorpe 1983-1984, Samuel L. Banks 1984-1985, Jeanette Cascone (acting) 1986-1988, William Harris 1989-1990, Andrew Brimmer 1991-1993, Robert Harris, Jr. 1993-1995, Janette Hoston Harris 1995-1997, Bettye J. Gardner 1997-1999, Edward Beasley 1999-2001, Samuel DuBois Cook, Sr. 2001-2003, Gloria Harper Dickinson 2004-2006, Sheila Y. Flemming 2007-2009, John E. Fleming 2010-2012, James B. Stewart 2013-2015, Daryl Michael Scott 2016-2021, Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham Current, W. Marvin Dulaney

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL

The ASALH Annual Conference is an occasion to explore the history and culture of people of African descent. Our conference brings together more than one thousand people, including educators, students, community builders, business professionals, and others who share an abiding interest in learning about the contribution of African Americans to this nation and the world.

For over a century, our conference has featured a rich program, which now includes scholarly sessions, professional workshops, plenaries, a Film Festival, and other presentations that analyze and illuminate a critical theme in the Black experience. Our 2021 virtual conference will offer attendees sessions featuring ASALH members who are prominent figures in Black cultural studies, as well as students from many disciplines.

Sessions will be on the theme and many aspects of Black life, history, and culture.

ABOUT THE THEME

During these uncertain times in which the very nature of what the Association does—the teaching of areas of Black History which has been legally banned in seven U.S. states as “history that makes people uncomfortable” ASALH presents it’s annual month-long Black History Month Festival.

African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (EIN: 53-0219640) is a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization. Contributions to ASALH are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

MEMBERSHIP

ALL ASALH MEMBERS ENJOY:

• Discounted conference registration • FREE online posting of jobs and events • Ability to participate in the Authors’ Book Signing • Ability to present papers at the Annual Conference • Digital copies of the JAAH, BHB, and Fire!!! • One vote in the Executive Council Elections and more • ASALH branch members receive free print copies of the JAAH during the membership year

For more information on member benefits and to become a member, visit www.asalh.org/join and click on JOIN.