February is Black History month, an initiative that first started in February 1926 as Negro History week, and in 1976 became nationally celebrated for the month of February as part of America’s initiative to honor the contributions of African Americans to the country. It’s a celebration of achievements and a time to reflect on the impact Black Americans have made to American society. Why celebrate Black History month? As Dr. Carter G. Woodson said, "If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated."
Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASLH) chooses a different theme for Black History Month. This year, the theme is “Black Resistance”. It represents the resistance of historic and ongoing oppression Black Americans have, and continue to face. According to W. Marvin Dulaney, president of the ASALH, this theme was chosen partly because of the current politically charged environment around race.
Celebrating Black History month is an opportunity for People & Culture leaders to promote and foster a culture of understanding and inclusivity in the workplace. Some ways we can celebrate Black History Month at work can look like bringing in speakers to share their stories, holding workshops to learn about unconscious bias, identifying areas for improvement in the workplace, and supporting Black owned businesses.
To honor Black History Month, we’re showcasing a few of the Black-owned brands that Giftagram partners with:
Phaidon African Artists: From 1882 to Now
As featured in the New York Times, ARTnews, Colossal, Metropolis and New York Magazine’s The Strategist, this groundbreaking book features the work of over 300 modern and contemporary artists born or based in Africa.
Co-author Chika Okeke-Agulu is the Professor of African and African Diaspora Art at Princeton University. He is the author of several books including Postcolonial Modernism: Art and Decolonization in Twentieth-Century Nigeria (2015), and is a co-editor of Nka: Journal of Contemporary African Art.
Harlem Candle Company Ellington Luxury Candle
Inspired from when Duke Ellington played Harlem for the first time in 1927, his jazz was sizzling hot and his vibe was cooler than cool. This Ellington Luxury Candle pays tribute to this vibrant legend with notes of bergamot, cinnamon, rose, and patchouli.
Harlem Candle Company is a luxury home fragrance brand specializing in scented candles inspired by the richness of Harlem. Founder Teri Johnson was inspired by her favorite aunt’s collection of exotic perfumes and travel stories before discovering the power of scent and its ability to transport you through time in her travels to nearly 70 countries.
BLK & Bold Dark Roast Blend
BLK & Bold’s namesake blend is roasted in small batches to get the full experience with every sip. This dark roast has a heavy bodied bold flavor making it perfect for latte espresso shots, and a tart citric acidity for your regular cup of joe in the morning.
Co-founders, Pernell & Rod created BLK & Bold with the desire to unite coffee and tea lovers through the common interest of investing in community, specifically youth. 5% of all BLK & Bold profits are contributed to initiatives that support improving the lives and futures of traditionally underserved youth.
Partake Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies
Rich cocoa cookies mixed with fudgy chips and healthy, whole food ingredients make this cookie an indulgent, worry-free treat. Free of the Top 9 Allergens, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher, it’s the perfect gift for any diet.
Inspired when Founder and CEO Denise Woodard’s daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, Denise wanted to offer a selection of delicious, allergy-friendly foods that those with and without food restrictions could enjoy and share. As a Black & Asian American woman, Denise is passionate about raising awareness of Black and female entrepreneurship and increasing opportunities for underrepresented people seeking careers in the food and beverage industry. In 2020, she founded Black Futures in Food & Beverage, an annual fellowship program that mentors HBCU students and helps them secure internships and jobs at the program’s end.
Golde Gut + Glow Bundle
Golde’s essential blend of superfoods for gut health and glowing skin, Gut + Glow Bundle contains bamboo extract to boost collagen, hyaluronic acid and amla berry for hydration, and probiotics to de-bloat and balance the microbiome.
Golde is on a mission to make wellness easy, accessible, and fun. Founded in Co-founder Trinity Mouzon Wofford’s Brooklyn apartment, she teamed up with her partner to launch their hero product - the Original Turmeric Latte Blend. Since then, Golde has grown to share their superfood essentials with thousands of people. All of Golde’s formulas are 100% natural and vegan-friendly.
Experience the Giftagram Difference
At Giftagram, we make it easy to express gratitude for your employees. Our full-service corporate gifting platform allows you to easily arrange orders and track delivery progress. Meanwhile, our expert team handles all the rest, so you only need to wait for smiles and thank you messages as employees receive your thoughtfully curated gifts. Click here to book a demo.
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