The month-long observance prompts reflection on history, culture, and persistent social challenges. To make Black History Month both celebratory and substantive, prioritize sustained engagement over one-off gestures. Begin by adding works by Black authors to your reading list, choosing films and series that center Black experiences, and supporting Black-owned businesses. Small, repeated choices create economic and cultural lift and can deepen understanding over time.
Below is a structured set of recommendations organized for immediate action: reading, shopping, and viewing. Each section offers practical tips for finding creators and businesses, and ways to continue support beyond the month. I highlight Black-owned businesses and explain how media choices amplify underrepresented voices.
Books and authors to prioritize
Reading widely by Black authors is a direct way to learn and amplify perspectives. Seek recent novels, memoirs, essays, and poetry that reflect urban, rural, intergenerational, and diasporic experiences. Independent bookstores often curate titles by both emerging and established Black writers and host readings that strengthen ties between readers and authors. When possible, buy multiple copies to gift or donate to a local library or community center to broaden reach.
How to build a lasting reading habit
Turn reading into a communal practice: start a book club focused on Black authors or host virtual discussions to include distant friends. Use reading lists as a springboard for further research and follow author interviews and essays to understand context. Purchasing from Black-owned bookstores circulates revenue within communities, which is a powerful form of support. Finally, write reviews and recommend titles on social platforms so others discover these voices.
Support Black-owned businesses
Shopping with intention produces measurable effects on local economies. Identify local and online Black-owned businesses across food and beverage, beauty, home goods, apparel, and services. Integrate these vendors into regular buying routines rather than confining purchases to a single month. Use verified directories and community organizations to confirm ownership. Prioritize businesses with sustainable practices or those that reinvest in neighborhood initiatives. Gift certificates and subscriptions provide immediate support and encourage future patronage.
Everyday decisions that matter
Small purchases accumulate: switch a monthly subscription, order takeout from a Black-owned restaurant, or book services with a Black-owned firm. If you can, recommend these businesses at work or include them in institutional procurement lists. Leave thoughtful feedback and strong public reviews to help businesses grow their profiles. These actions extend benefits beyond isolated transactions.
Films, shows, and media to watch
Television and streaming can broaden understanding of Black lives across genres. Prioritize documentaries, dramas, comedies, and children’s content created by Black directors, writers, and producers. Seek stories that offer nuance and complexity rather than limiting focus to historical overviews. Watch with family or friends and discuss themes afterward. Use platform features to follow creators and support projects through legal viewership, subscriptions, and purchases.
Turn viewing into conversation and action
After screenings, share curated lists, host community viewings, or organize panel conversations with local scholars and activists. Link screenings to donations or volunteer efforts related to the film’s subject—for example, educational programs, voting rights groups, or cultural institutions. Media engagement becomes more meaningful when paired with tangible support for initiatives that address systemic issues highlighted onscreen.
Long-term approaches beyond the month
Meaningful recognition of Black history and culture extends past a single month. Subscribe to newsletters from Black cultural institutions, mentor or hire more diversely, and incorporate varied voices into classroom and workplace curricula. Encourage organizations you belong to host year-round programming and invest in partnerships with Black-led groups. These measures honor history and create pathways for sustained progress.
The data tells us an interesting story: small, predictable choices scale into measurable impact over time. In my Google experience, consistent, data-driven habits outperform occasional bursts of activity. Marketing today is a science: track where you redirect spending, measure community engagement, and report outcomes. Treat Black History Month as a catalyst for ongoing commitments—read thoughtfully, spend intentionally, and watch critically. Those choices, backed by follow-up actions, increase visibility and provide tangible support for Black creators and communities.