Association for the Study of African American Life and History facts for kids

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is a special group that studies and celebrates African-American History. It's like a club for historians and people who love learning about the past.

This group was started in Chicago on September 9, 1915. It was first called the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Important people like Carter G. Woodson, William B. Hartgrove, George Cleveland Hall, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps helped create it. Later, in 1973, its name changed to the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. Today, it is known as ASALH and is based in Washington, D.C.

ASALH's main goal is to "promote, research, preserve, interpret, and share information about Black life, history, and culture with the world." They want to be the best group for Black heritage and history. They also want to have many different members and branches around the world.

ASALH is famous for creating Negro History Week in 1926. Carter G. Woodson chose this week to be around the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Each year, he picked a special theme for the celebration. Since 1976, ASALH has made this celebration last for the entire month of February. This is why we have Black History Month today!

The organization also publishes important magazines. These include The Journal of African American History and the Black History Bulletin. In 2005, ASALH started its own publishing company, ASALH Press. They re-released Carter G. Woodson's book, Mis-Education of the Negro. They also started The Woodson Review, a magazine that shares information about the yearly Black History Theme. ASALH even found and published a lost book by Carter G. Woodson called Carter G. Woodson's Appeal: The Lost Manuscript Edition.

ASALH is a group with many members and more than 25 local branches.

ASALH Annual Conventions

Every year, ASALH holds a big meeting called a convention. This is where they share new research and historical information. The first convention was held in 1917, two years after the group started. At first, these meetings happened every two years.

At the first convention, Carter G. Woodson explained what he wanted the group to do. He said they should:

• Publish a history magazine.
• Research the achievements of Black people.
• Offer a home study program.
• Write and publish books.

These conventions usually happen in the fall, often in September or October. The location changes to a different major U.S. city each year. The convention's theme matches the annual Black History Month theme. For example, the 2012 convention was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More than 1,000 people usually attend these events.

What Happens at a Convention?

At the ASALH convention, many activities take place:

• Main Sessions: Experts give talks and lead discussions.
• Workshops: People can learn more about specific history topics.
• Presentations: Scholars share their new research.
• History Tours: The group organizes tours to important historical places in the host city.
• Youth Day: There's a special day for high school students to learn about history.

Groups Started from ASALH Conventions

Some other important organizations have grown out of the ASALH conventions.

• Association of Black Women Historians (ABWH): This group was founded at the 1977 ASALH convention in Washington, D.C. It was started by Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Eleanor Smith, and Elizabeth Parker.
• National Council of Black Studies: This group also got its start idea at an ASALH convention.

See also

• Negro Society for Historical Research