Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history.

Black History Month grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

Black History Month offers small businesses a big opportunity: not just to celebrate the achievements of African-Americans but to emphasize a company’s commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace.