The College Board Celebrates Black History Month
| The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education. |
| —Martin Luther King, Jr. |
The College Board's mission to prepare, inspire, and connect students to college and opportunity is wedded the Board's strong commitment to equity and excellence. From the beginning, the College Board has worked to broaden access to higher education. Among the colleges that are members of the College Board are 64 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The African-American historian Carter G. Woodson championed the idea of celebrating the contributions of African-Americans. The son of freed slaves, Dr. Woodson earned his bachelor's degree from Berea College in Kentucky, his M.A. from the University of Chicago in Illinois, and his Ph. D. from Harvard University in Massachusetts. On February 12, 1926, he launched Negro History Week to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. In 1976, as part of the United States Bicentennial, the celebration was expanded and became Black History Month.
During the College Board's celebration of Black History Month, we have mounted "A Celebration of Great African-American Artists of the 20th Century." The prints represent the rich, diverse American tradition of contemporary printmakers and printmaking. The works themselves incorporate social and political issues seen through the eyes of these artists. Although some to the artists are well known, this is not the case for all. However, their works are wonderful achievements and we are proud to recognize the excellence of American students and faculty through this collection.
