Black History Month

Greetings!

Lunar New Year is here! This special holiday celebration begins on February 17 marking the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars traditional to many East Asian countries, including China, South Korea, and Vietnam. Whether it’s called Chinese New Year, Losar, Seollal, or Tết, Lunar New Year is celebrated by nearly 2 billion people across the globe. Explore Lunar New Year-themed books or try creating a simple Chinese New Year Hobby Horse with your child.

February is also Black History Month. We have included Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative's collection of new and upcoming picture books in honor of this year's theme: A Century of Black History Commemorations. You can also sign up for a Parenting While Black Webinar, discover Joyful ABC Activity Booklets and read Ayisha Elliot's latest blog posts: Teaching Our Children a Different Story and The Truth of Black History Month.

If you're feeling down, seeking comfort, need help understanding changes to OHP or simply looking for things to do this winter, read on. We're glad you are here.

Finger Painting Heart

Heart Bubble Painting Caterpillar

Winter Resources

Looking for things to do when the skies are grey? Eugene, Cascades and Coast has some great ideas or check out our Family Fun page and Activity Calendar. Feeling a little blue? You're not alone. Winter can be hard on your mental health.

Books You May Like

Parenting Blog Posts

Tools to Calm Down During Uncertain Times

'In these complex times, caring for ourselves, our families, and our communities can feel especially demanding. It’s okay to need extra care and flexibility as parents right now. 

Most of us feel a certain level of discomfort when there is a lot of change or upheaval in our lives. Adults may or may not realize how much their emotional responses can impact others around them, particularly their children. When things are unpredictable, it’s important that we have ways to calm down and rebalance ourselves – This helps us feel better and has a positive impact on our children."

Read more from Aoife Magee here.

Teaching Our Children a Different Story

"Welcome to 2026. I know it's looking very complex at the moment, and I know you're scared—we all are. I generally write these pieces for non-Black parents raising Black children; however, I think this message is for all parents of young children. This year carries a particular type of peril. Our communities haven't faced this specific flavor of danger within the United States affecting the masses of the population since the genocide of Indigenous peoples when the invasion began 250 years ago."

Check out this recent blog post from guest contributor Ayisha Elliott.

Black History Month

Learn more about the 2026 theme: A Century of Black History Commemorations

Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center for their 2026 Parenting While Black series, a free four-part virtual conversation series where Black parents discuss their experiences of raising children in today’s world. Register for one or all of this free series here..

• February 23, 2026 – Afrofuturism as a Space of Black Parental Socialization
• March 2, 2026 – Supporting Black Children’s Agency and Self-determination

Encourage positive identity development with the Joyful ABC Activity Booklets by the National Museum of African American History & Culture.

Expand your knowledge with this 2021 Webinar Historical Framework on Traditional African American Parenting & Discipline with Dr. Angelique Anderson.

Refresh your practice with the Anti-Bias Education teacher resources

The Truth of Black History Month



"The month is, of course, a celebration, but it was first a week of encouragement to celebrate Black achievement in a time when Black achievement was not widely accepted. It's crucial that we know the truth of this month with accuracy, not with watered-down half-truths born from the unfortunate narrative that Black history is not American history."

Read Ayisha Elliot's entire piece here.

Did you know this year marks the 100 year anniversary of national commemoration of Black History Month? Here are some newly published children's books to help you celebrate Black History Month:

Celebrate We Gullah Geechee by Yvette R Murray, illustrated by Tonya Engel (release date 2/17)

Haircut Day with Dad by Monica Mikai

I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy by Mychal Threets, illustrated by Lorraine Nam

Where There Is Love: A Story in African Proverbs by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Letícia Moreno

Let It Shine! A Celebration of You by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Tequita Andrews

Carnival Queen by Donette Williams-Harry, illustrated by Amélie-Anne Calmo

Thanks for reading our newsletter! We would love to hear your feedback on the content of our newsletter, questions, or recommendations on what you would like to read about next time. Feel free to send us an email at education@unitedwaylane.org.

Thanks to Crosscultural Now for Spanish translation. (Some translation provided by DeepL.) Deep appreciation to the team at ODHS for keeping our community connected. Newsletter edited by Lisa Milton.

The Early Childhood Hub of Lane County is your local parenting education hub.

Our mission is to ensure all parents in Lane County have the knowledge, tools, and support to nurture their child’s optimal development for success in school and life.