ASALH, Inc was founded September 9, 1915 and incorporated October 3, 1915, under the laws of the District of Columbia, as a non-profit, tax-exempt professional organization. It's founder, the late Carter G. Woodson, was a Harvard-trained scholar and international educator who was the son of former slaves. Woodson, like W.E.B.Du Bois, realized early on the important role of the African American in the history of the U.S. and world and committed his life to research on the African American past and to the dissemination of knowledge about the African American in the new world. His dream for ASALH was to archive sociological and historical data, publish books, promote the study of Afro-American life and history and encourage racial harmony through the organization and work of clubs and schools. In 1916, ASALH published the first issue of the "Journal of Negro History", a highly respected and scholarly digest which was followed by the "Negro History Bulletin", a widely circulated historically oriented magazine. In 1920, Dr. Woodson founded the Associated Publishers, the for-profit arm of the Association. The Associated Publishers is responsible for the publication and circulation of ASALH's renowned Afro-American History Month Kits. Additionally, the Associated Publishers sells books and other literature authored by Dr. Woodson and other prominent scholars in the field of Afro-American history.
In February 1926, Dr. Woodson announced the institution of Negro History Week, which coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the observance was expanded to "National Afro-American History Month", in honor of the nation's bicentennial. Beginning in 1975, U.S. Presidents have paid tribute to the mission of the Association and urged all Americans to celebrate Afro-American History Month. Since 1926, ASALH has established the national theme for the month-long celebration of Afro-American History Month. The Association maintains the Carter G. Woodson Home in Washington, D.C., where Woodson operated ASALH from 1923 until his death in 1950. The Woodson Home is a National Historic Landmark.
The work of the organization has historically been the conservation, preservation, and perpetuation of African American history and culture.
CARTER G. WOODSON HOME
NOMINATED AS ONE OF THE NATIONAL TRUST
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION'S 2001
11 MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC SITES
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- Learning more about our history and advocating for it by becoming a member of THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY)
- Secure an Institutional Membership (for churches/religious organizations, non-profit organizations, colleges/universities, student organizations)
- Give a contribution - An account has been set up solely for contributions to the Woodson home restoration (make checks payable to either "ASALH" or "CARTER G. WOODSON HOME"
- Start a chapter. (See the branch list on website for a branch near you)
- Sponsor a fundraiser for the Home (must coordinate with Headquarters)
- Contact your Congressperson and encourage his/her support of the bill "HR 3201"
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