Beatty Reintroduces Bill Affirming Black History in American Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, to kick off Black History Month, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) reintroduced the Black History is American History Act, legislation that would mandate the inclusion of Black history as a required component of the American History and Civics Academies' competitive grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This bill also strengthens history education and expands access to Black history resources.

The American History and Civics Academies provide workshops to help teachers strengthen their knowledge of American history and civics through the Presidential Academy. The bill supports the establishment of Congressional Academies – providing high-need students opportunities to deepen their understanding of these subjects. While these programs aim to deepen understanding, they currently do not require Black history as part of those endeavors —this bill changes that.

Congresswoman Beatty released the following statement regarding the bill’s significance:

“Black history is American history, and it is under unprecedented attack,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “For too long, Black Americans’ contributions have been minimized, whitewashed or downright excluded from our national story. The Black History is American History Act helps protect the stories of those who shaped our nation—from the Tuskegee Airmen’s heroism to the Black women mathematicians who helped America win the Space Race. In a time where extreme MAGA Republicans continue to censor critical components of Black history in schools, my bill seeks to amplify the life and legacy of Black Americans in classroom conversations, and communicate a fundamental truth: Black history is American history.

The Black History is American History Act  would:

• Require entities applying for, and receiving, grants through the Presidential and Congressional Academies to include Black history as part of the American history and civics related workshops and teachings offered to teachers and students;
• Promote use of the resources offered by the National Museum of African American History and Culture for teachers and students; and
• Encourage continued inclusion of Black History in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

This bill is cosponsored by:

Rep. A. Adams (NC-12), Rep. Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Bishop, Jr (GA-02), Rep. Bonamici (OR-01), Rep. Brown (OH-11), Rep. Carson (IN-07), Rep. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Rep. Castor (FL-14), Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Rep. Clarke (NY-09), Rep.  Cleaver, II (MO-05), Rep. Clyburn (SC-06), Rep. Davis (IL-07), Rep. Davis (NC-01), Rep. Degette (CO-01), Rep. DeSaulnier (CA-10), Rep. Dingell (MI-06), Rep. Doggett (TX-37), Rep. Evans (PA-03), Rep. Foushee (NC-04), Rep. Frankel (FL-22), Rep. Frost (FL-10), Rep. Goldman (NY-10), Rep. Green (TX-09), Rep. Grijalva (AZ-07), Rep. Hayes (CT-05), Rep. Horsford (NV-04), Rep. Ivey (MD-04), Rep. Jackson (IL-01), Rep. Johnson (GA-04), Rep. Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Rep. Kennedy (NY-26), Rep. Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Larsen (WA-02), Rep. Lynch (MA-08), Rep. Magaziner (RI-02), Rep. McBath (GA-06), Rep. McIver (NJ-10), Rep. Meeks (NY-05), Rep. Menendez (NJ-08), Rep. Meng (NY-06), Rep. Norton (DC-At Large), Rep. Plaskett (VI-At Large), Rep. Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Sykes (OH-13), Rep. Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Thompson (MS-02), Rep. Tlaib (MI-12), Rep. Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Underwood (IL-14), Rep. Velázquez (NY-07), Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43), Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Rep. Wilson (FL-24)

The full bill text can be found HERE.

Congresswoman Beatty previously introduced this bill in the 118th and 117th sessions of Congress, following its original introduction by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) in the 116th Congress.

For media inquiries please contact: christine.thompson@mail.house.gov and cassandra.johnson@mail.house.gov. 

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