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Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/is-black-history-month-still-necessary-in-2026-
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In this BEP Live audio episode, Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed examine a question that sits at the center of culture, leadership, and American identity:
Is Black History Month still necessary?
Originally launched in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week and later expanded under Gerald Ford, Black History Month was created to address the exclusion of Black contributions from mainstream education.
But in 2026, something feels different.
With DEI programs being rolled back, curriculum debates intensifying, and national conversations around race becoming more polarized, this year’s observance feels noticeably quieter. Is that progress? Fatigue? Complacency? Or something more deliberate?
The episode also honors the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson, reflecting on his impact as a civil rights leader, presidential candidate, and global advocate for marginalized communities. His passing raises a deeper leadership question. What happens when living history fades, and institutional memory weakens?
Tony and Chris unpack:
- Whether Black History is fully integrated into year-round American education
- The difference between performative corporate celebration and structural inclusion
- How ownership, credit, and empathy shape national identity
- Why historical literacy directly impacts leadership, equity, and accountability
This conversation goes beyond February. It addresses how nations construct memory, how power shapes narrative, and why structured remembrance still matters in a divided cultural climate.
▶︎ In This Episode
00:00 – Opening Question: Is Black History Month Still Necessary?
07:58 – Integration vs. Isolation in American Education
18:42 – The Legacy of Jesse Jackson and Living History
28:05 – Performative Celebration vs. Structural Change
41:12 – Fear, Complacency, and Cultural Silence
51:30 – Final Reflections on Accountability and American Memory
If history were fully integrated, February would not need to stand alone. Until that happens, the debate remains relevant.
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