10 Ways to Celebrate August 28th (and Every Important Day in Black History!)
Artwork from a MeetingofMindsUK Article titled “Black August and Why August 28 Is A Major Date In Black History”
August 28th is a date deeply woven into the fabric of Black history—a day marked by pivotal events that have shaped our ongoing fight for justice and equality.
From the tragic lynching of Emmett Till in 1955 to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, this day has been both a reminder of our struggles and a beacon of hope.
Listen to my podcast episode for surprising details about August 28th and why it’s important in Black history here:
Here are five activities to do in honor of August 28th:
Educate Yourself and Others: Take time to learn about the historical significance of August 28th and share that knowledge with your community. Host a discussion, share resources on social media, or teach your children about the key events that occurred on this day.
Support Black-Owned Businesses: Use August 28th as a day to intentionally support Black entrepreneurs and businesses. Your dollars can make a difference in strengthening economic empowerment within the Black community.
Engage in Community Service: Honor the legacy of those who fought for freedom and justice by giving back. Volunteer at a local organization, participate in a community cleanup, or mentor a young person. Your service can help uplift and empower others.
Participate in or Organize a Peaceful Protest: Stand up against systemic racism and injustice by joining or organizing a peaceful protest or rally. Use your voice to demand change and keep the spirit of the civil rights movement alive.
Reflect and Set Intentions: Take a moment of quiet reflection to honor the sacrifices made by Black revolutionaries and set intentions for how you will continue their work. Whether through activism, education, or community building, commit to making a difference in the fight for justice and equality.
Let’s get radical!
Here are five radical calls to action (CTAs) for August 28th that challenge conventional approaches and push for transformative change:
Organize a Local Economic Blackout: Mobilize your community to withhold spending from all non-Black-owned businesses for the day. Instead, direct all purchases exclusively to Black-owned businesses. This action not only supports economic empowerment but also makes a bold statement about the power of collective economic action.
Initiate a Day of Civil Disobedience: Coordinate or participate in acts of peaceful civil disobedience to disrupt systems of oppression. This could involve sit-ins at places with a history of discrimination, blockades of major economic centers, or public demonstrations that challenge the status quo.
Launch a Public Art Intervention: Create or commission radical public art installations, such as murals or street performances, that confront viewers with the history and ongoing struggles of Black Americans. Use art as a form of protest and education, taking over public spaces to amplify Black voices and histories.
Host a Guerrilla Teach-In: Set up impromptu teach-ins in public spaces like parks, shopping centers, or even online platforms. Educators, activists, and community members can lead discussions on the significance of August 28th, the history of Black resistance, and strategies for future activism. Make these sessions open to all, disrupting everyday routines to inject powerful knowledge and awareness into the community.
Declare a Day of Black Liberation Planning: Gather activists, organizers, and community leaders to spend the entire day strategizing and planning long-term actions for Black liberation. This could include drafting demands, organizing future protests, or creating community defense networks. Use August 28th as a launching pad for sustained, radical movement-building efforts.
Finally, celebrate our resilience and our achievements. August 28th is a day to recognize the strength of our ancestors and the power of our community. Gather with loved ones, uplift each other, and remember that we are all part of a long and proud legacy.
Have an empowered day!
