Celebrating Black History Month’s Centennial: Our Commitment as Communications Professionals
Posted on Feb. 18, 2026 / Subscribe 0
Dear Colleagues,
As we observe the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we stand at a profound moment of reflection and recommitment. What began in 1926 as Negro History Week, championed by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, has evolved into a national celebration that recognizes the indelible contributions of Black Americans to our nation’s fabric.
As public relations and communications professionals, we hold a unique responsibility. We shape narratives, amplify voices, and influence how stories are told and understood. This centennial reminds us of the trailblazers who have elevated our profession while breaking barriers that once seemed insurmountable.
Consider Karine Jean-Pierre, who made history as the first Black woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as White House Press Secretary. Standing at that podium daily, she embodies the progress Dr. Woodson envisioned while navigating one of the most scrutinized communications roles in the world. Her presence there is not coincidental but the result of decades of Black communications professionals proving their excellence against tremendous odds.
Or reflect on Judy Smith, whose steady hand guided communications strategy during some of the nation’s most sensitive moments, from the Reagan administration through the George H.W. Bush White House and beyond. She managed crisis communications for figures ranging from Monica Lewinsky to Michael Vick, later inspiring the character Olivia Pope from Shonda Rhime’s "Scandal," and reminding the world that strategic communications at the highest level has long been shaped by Black expertise. Her legacy shows us that excellence and integrity know no color, yet the path to recognition has rarely been equal.
Let us move beyond performative acknowledgment. Let us commit to authentic representation in our campaigns, equitable opportunities in our hiring and leadership development, and genuine partnership with Black-owned agencies and creators.
This centennial challenges us to examine: Whose stories have we prioritized? Whose voices have we elevated? And critically, whose perspectives have been marginalized or overlooked? Let us interrogate our own practices and challenge the systems that have perpetuated inequity in our industry.
Dr. Woodson believed that understanding Black history was essential to American progress. One hundred years later, that truth remains. Our profession has the power and the obligation to ensure that Black stories, Black excellence, and Black leadership are not relegated to one month, but woven into the narrative every day.
Together, let’s honor this centennial by building a more inclusive, truthful, and representative communications landscape.
In solidarity,
Kirstin L. Cheers, M.A.
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