Every February, the US celebrates Black History Month to honor the achievements of African Americans and their central role in US history. In recent years over a dozen other countries including France, Canada, Benin and Italy now observe Black History Month.
As a global phenomenon, Black History Month serves as “a powerful symbolic celebration” in the words of Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Professor of History and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. “Symbols always stand for something bigger—in our case, the important role of Black History in pursuit of racial justice and equality.”
How Can You Celebrate Black History Month?
With Dr. Higginbotham’s powerful words in mind, Black History Month can be seen as an opportunity not only to learn about the past, but to support efforts for a more equitable future.
“America has made huge strides over the years and decades but our work towards social justice and equality is far from reached,” says Sonya Shields, founder and CEO of Children of Promise NYC.
Here are three ways to expand your knowledge and invest in change this month:
- Educate yourself on Black History
- Support Black-owned businesses
- Donate to Black-led charitable organizations
What is Black History Month’s Theme in 2026?
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has announced the official 2026 Black History Month theme: “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
The 2026 observance marks one hundred years since the first organized celebration of Black history, which began in 1926 as Negro History Week under the leadership of historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the organization now known as ASALH.
From those early commemorations to the establishment of Black History Month as a nationally recognized observance, the movement has played a vital role in shaping how Black history is taught, understood, and honored in the United States and around the world. The 2026 theme invites communities to reflect on the power of remembrance, education, and public history in advancing equity, dignity, and truth.
As ASALH emphasizes, Black History Month is not only about inclusion in historical narratives, but about the enduring resonance of Black history in the lives of Black people and its significance in shaping the modern world.
Black-Led Charitable Organizations You Can Support in 2026
During Black History Month and beyond, you can donate to numerous charities that uplift Black lives and advocate for equal justice.
We’ve compiled a small list of organizations that can accept donations of crypto, stock, and DAF, in addition to typical cash donations.
1. Children of Promise
Children of Promise provides support and mentorship for children of incarcerated parents, aiming to break the cycle of intergenerational involvement in the criminal justice system.
2. Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth
Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth promotes healing and justice by implementing restorative practices in the justice system and schools, addressing the root causes of harm.
3. The Freedom ROC
The Freedom ROC is a Black-led organization that unites communities to build a transformative base of power to achieve social, racial and economic justice in Ohio.
4. National Society of Black Engineers
NSBE is dedicated to increasing the number of Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact their communities.
5. Black LGBTQ+ Liberation, Inc. (BLINC)
BLINC advocates for the rights and well-being of the Black LGBTQ+ community, promoting inclusivity and equality.
6. Crypto Tutors
Crypto Tutors, a certified minority women’s and black-owned organization, focuses on educating and mentoring individuals across web3 topics, including blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFTs.
7. Getting Out and Staying Out
Getting Out and Staying Out helps people impacted by arrest and incarceration through education, employment assistance and emotional wellbeing support a culture of nonviolence.
8. Movement for Black Lives
M4BL is a coalition of organizations working together for policy reform, community building, and advocacy to address systemic issues affecting Black communities.
9. The nsoro Foundation
The nsoro Foundation—named after the Ghanaian term nsoromma, meaning “children of the heavens”—provides educational support and resources to foster youth, particularly those who have aged out of the foster care system.
10. BlaqOut, Inc.
BlaqOut focuses on mental health advocacy and support within the Black LGBTQ+ community.
11. Ujamaa Place
Ujamaa Place empowers young African American men to overcome systemic barriers and achieve success through holistic support services.
12. Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights organizes with Black, Brown, and low-income people to shift resources away from prisons and punishment, and towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong.
13. Hope, Inc.
Hope Inc. helps low-income single parents complete their college degrees by offering rent and childcare assistance, financial training, counseling and social services.
Giving to Charity is an Investment in Change
Donating cash, crypto, stock or another non-cash asset can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
This Black History Month and beyond, consider what you can give to support change, uplift communities, and fight for equal justice in the US.
If you’re a crypto investor, your generosity can unlock a new way for nonprofits to create an impact. Your donation can also be much more tax-efficient than donating cash.
Giving crypto is a concrete way to increase racial justice, healing, restorative economics, and reconciliation.
Whether you donate crypto, stock, cash or a donor-advised fund grant, you can explore our donation marketplace to find a charitable organization to support today.
