Black History Month at the Y

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” created by Carter G. Woodson while residing at the Wabash YMCA during the 1910s. 

Here at the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, we are spending the month of February honoring and elevating the stories of Black Americans who have contributed to our shared history.

Throughout the month of February:

• Visit the displays you will find in our lobbies. These displays educate, celebrate, and uplift the contributions of African Americans who have created impacts of change in the U.S. 
• Our social media will be honoring the contributions of African Americans in the history of the YMCA.
• Take a walk through Black History around the lake at Camp Grom to learn about and honor important figures in black history. 

The history of the YMCA – like the history of the United States – is a story of incremental progress toward greater inclusion and equity for all.