United Catholic Youth Ministries celebrated Black History Month and honor the history of our Black siblings in Christ. History can often be told from the standpoint of the "winners" or those who are, and were, in positions of power while ignoring the experience of those who were abused, neglected, and mistreated by the power structure at the time. Black History Month reminds us of that history and persistence of Black people and that we still have a long way to go to truly uphold the dignity of the human person in our world, country, cities, communities, and church. 

What is Black History Month?

"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,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history."

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

Black History Icons

Claudette Colvin
Robert Sengstacke Abbott 
Shirley Chisholm
Johnson H. Johnson
Dorothy Height
Don Cornelius
Alice Coachman
Maria P. Williams
Ethel Waters
Bayard Rustin
Ruby Bridges
Gordon Parks
Madam C.J. Walker
Annie Turnbo Malone
Alvin Ailey
Ella Baker 
Mae Jemison
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Max Robinson
Dr. Patricia Bath
Ethel L. Payne
Fritz Pollard
Maya Angelou
Henrietta Lacks
Wally Amos
Ida B. Wells
Jesse Owens
Bessie Coleman
Rebecca Lee Crumpler
​Marsha P. Johnson
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Malcolm X

Black Catholic Historical Icons

Our Lady of Kibeho
Saint Charles Lwanga
Saint Felicity and Perpetua
Saint Josephine Bakhita
Saint Martin de Porres
Saint Maurice
Saint Moses the Black
Servant of God Thea Bowman
​Venerable Augustus Tolton