NATIONWIDE — Learning and celebrating Black history has never been more important. Microsoft understands this fact and has created The Legacy Project, which strives to lead the world in re-envisioning Black history’s narrative to shine a bright light on the outstanding accomplishments African Americans have made in the past and continue to make right now.
This is the first of its kind. Utilizing the world of technology, Microsoft will also highlight and virtually transport 13 of the world’s top Black history museum exhibits into every student’s home or classroom across North America. This partnership with museums, historical landmarks, cultural centers, athlete and civic influencers worldwide will include a month-long series of FREE immersive and interactive experiences for K-12 schools and the community to celebrate and learn.
The Black History month journey will be available from now until Feb. 28. Schools, youth programs and families can click here to enroll in the program.
Microsoft has committed to providing a platform for schools, students and youth organizations for this year’s Black History Month celebration. Their platform will inspire and educate the community about significant moments and prominent figures in Black history.
Students will have an opportunity to see sections in the museum entitled “Black Boss Moves,” “Black Achievers,” “Blacks in Entertainment,” “Young, Gifted and Black,” “The Black Justice League” and “Blacks Changing the Game.”
“Black History month is a time for us to emphasize the rich heritage and culture of Black people as well as spotlight historical events and figures in the Black community,” states Shy Averett, Global Sr. Community Program and Events Manager for Microsoft in Redmond, Wash. “We are excited to provide the Legacy Project as a platform to encourage people to come together and learn lessons from the past and apply them today and in the future.”
As an educational initiative for all ages, the Legacy Project is living proof that Black history is alive and well, now and forever. It honors African Americans of today, tomorrow, and the future and is a testament to the fact that Black history is a woven and integral part of American history. We are also reminded that Black history should be celebrated not only in February but every day.
Participating classrooms will learn about policies that impacted Black communities. They will see a presentation that will showcase Muhammad Ali’s fight against systemic racism at the Ali Center’s “Truth Be Told” exhibit, no matter where in the nation that student lives.
“Muhammad Ali’s message of social and racial justice was potent and impactful to people around the world,” said Donald Lassere, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center. Through our “Truth Be Told” exhibit, we candidly share the policies that have impacted Black lives in America for 400 years so that all people can understand the unfiltered truth left out of our history books and become champions for racial equity for all Americans.”
The students will also witness the struggle for life & liberty for all at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights while safely at home in front of their devices, as well as reading sessions of inspirational children’s stories about Black history like “Hidden Figures” and “Let the Children March,” with books read aloud by some of our favorite NBA & NFL players for K-2nd graders.
Highlights of the impactful virtual activities lined-up for students:
- Walk with MLK virtually & fight for civil rights in the Selma-to-Montgomery Marches of 1965
- Step back into the Civil Rights Era to witness the struggle for life & liberty for all at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Learn about policies that impacted Black communities & Muhammad Ali’s fight against systemic racism at the Ali Center’s “Truth Be Told” exhibit
- Hear inspirational children’s stories about Black History like Hidden Figures & Let the Children March, with books read aloud by some of our favorite NBA & NFL players for K-2nd graders
- Fly through the eyes of WWII’s Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the US Army Air Corps at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
- Hit a home run with Satchel Paige & Jackie Robinson at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
- Retrace Slavery from Enslavement to Emancipation – Ft. Monroe, Whitney Plantation and Milton House – Tour Fort Monroe where the first Africans entered the country, explore the Whitney Plantation and see how Slaves lived and walk through the Milton House’s secret passageways of the Underground Railroad
- Explore the legacy of the African Americans in the US military at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
- Travel back in time with a fireside chat with Freedom Rider Hezekiah Watkins to protest social injustice & racial inequality & tour the Freedom Rides Museum
- Take a virtual scavenger hunt through George Washington Carver’s most noted inventions at the Carver Museum
- Celebrate today’s groundbreaking African American changemakers who are leading the world right now at Microsoft’s Current Day Black History Museum
- Listen to & learn about the origins of Black music & Music of the Civil Rights Movement with the GRAMMY Museum
For more information on this technological marvel, please email inclusivecommunity@service.microsoft.com.
