This article is one of a series of articles produced by Word in Black through support provided by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Word In Black is a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media outlets across the country.
When we think about the transformative power of education, Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s name and impact stand out.
Known as the “Father of Black History,” Woodson’s remarkable contributions to Black history continue to inform and inspire generations of scholars and students. On what would’ve been his 149th birthday, we honor Woodson’s life, legacy, and impact.
A Lifelong Passion for Education
“The mere imparting of information is not education. Above all things, the effort must result in making a man think and do for himself.” – Carter G. Woodson, 1933
Born on December 19, 1875, Woodson’s journey began in Virginia as the son of formerly enslaved parents. His parents’ emphasis on education as a means of liberation sparked his passion for learning. Against significant odds during the Jim Crow era, Woodson earned his master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1908 and a doctorate in history from Harvard University in 1912—becoming the second African American to do so, after sociologist and activist W.E.B. Du Bois.
In 1915, recognizing the erasure of Black people and their accomplishments from mainstream American history narratives, Woodson founded the Association of the Study of African American Life and History, an organization dedicated to studying and appreciating Black history. A decade later, Woodson would go on to establish Negro History Week, which eventually evolved into today’s Black History Month.
Woodson wanted to integrate Black history into standard American education, ensuring that Black and white students saw Black heritage as worthy of learning.
The Mis-Education of the Negro
“When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions.” – Carter G. Woodson, 1933
In 1933, Woodson published “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” — a searing but profound critique of the American education system’s Eurocentric bias and its damaging impact on Black students.
He argued that a curriculum that distorted or minimized Black history led Black students to internalize negative perceptions about their self-worth and potential. Nearly a century later, “The Mis-Education of the Negro” still resonates in modern discourse about equity in education.
Honoring Woodson’s Legacy
“For me, education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better.” – Carter G. Woodson, 1933
Almost 150 years after his birth, Woodson’s vision continues to inspire generations. In 2024, as students, educators, and advocates face challenges, including attempts to restrict lessons on systemic racism and ban books by Black authors, efforts like Freedom Schools, Afrocentric curriculum, and the inclusion of Black voices in history textbooks embody Woodson’s enduring values and ideals.
While the fight for educational equity persists, his advocacy reminds us that education must serve as a tool for empowerment and liberation.
