User blog:Jpearson/Black History Month at Fandom: Culture-Shifting Moments in Entertainment

Hey, everyone! I’m excited to share what we have planned for our first Heritage Month celebration this year. The National theme for Black History Month is Black Resistance, which explores how Black Americans have fought to create safe spaces, equity, and equality. Fandom celebrates Black History Month this year through the theme of Creation and Cultivation: Culture Shifting Moments in Entertainment. All month long, through a series of programming, interviews, profiles, and fan events, Fandom will highlight, introduce and celebrate Black creators in music, gaming, television, movies, and anime whose contributions made an impression, made you look, and made the moments that turned observers into fans. This year’s programming will allow everyone to explore and celebrate through their favorite IP and learn something new. Join us as we celebrate Black History at Fandom!

Observance
National Black History Month originated in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. As the organization developed, the observance became the Negro History Week in February 1926. In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Week urging all Americans to "recognize the important contribution made to our nation's life and culture by black citizens." A year later, Black History Week grew to become Black History Month, honoring Black Americans' contributions to American culture, accomplishments, traditions, and more.

Did you know that the United States isn't the only country to observe Black History Month? It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada and has also been observed in Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. The United States and Canada happen to commemorate Black History Month in February, while European countries observe during March and October.

Programming
We have quite a bit planned for programming this month, including profiles featuring users throughout Fandom’s community, a creator using their voice for good and colorful commentary, and more! Stay tuned for updates on Community Central!


 * Black History Entertainment Timeline - We’ll take you down memory lane as we explore a timeline crafted by Fandom’s DEI Taskforce highlighting the culture-shifting moments in TV history. Learn more about how these IPs have shaped Black culture and continue to serve as pillars for Black representation in media.
 * Editor and Creator Profiles - Meet our beloved editors and creators, establishing inclusive spaces and impacting entertainment. Learn how they are forging paths on and off of the fandom platform.
 * Interviews - We plan to interview a living legend you will love. His impact has reached the entertainment and gaming worlds far and wide.
 * Watch Party - We’re planning a watch party, and you’re invited! Tune in as we watch a beloved show making its mark in entertainment.
 * Round Table - We’re planning a roundtable on Discord exploring Black History and entertainment's power! Let’s share our music, movies, and television recommendations and talk about culture-shifting moments.

Finally, you can jam with us all month long using the Black History Month playlist we’ve crafted and the great wikis associated with each artist!

Playlist
Fandom has curated a Spotify playlist of 40+ songs, using information pulled from the wikis that power the platform. These artists may not be the ones you know from the charts (a lot are!), but they all represent moments, genres, and songs that cultivated music as we know and enjoy it today. Whether you're looking for a new playlist to add or powering through some edits, this is the music - and moments - that shifted music. Tune in and learn more about these musical artists, genres, and their contributions to the culture below:



SOUL
If you’re interested in music that’s good for your soul, these artists fit the bill. Black Americans pioneered soul music in the mid-twentieth century. Soul birthed a subgroup of genres, including rhythm and blues (R&B), urban blues, Motown, jazz, and gospel music. Many artists used their music as a conduit to express their views on social and political movements. Their collective contributions and sounds have served as moments of comfort and foundations for the music we listen to today.

I Second That Emotion
 * Aretha Franklin - Young, Gifted and Black
 * Childish Gambino - Have Some Love
 * Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood
 * Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There
 * Janelle Monáe - Crazy, Classic, Life
 * Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
 * Rihanna - Lift Me Up
 * Sam & Dave - Hold On, I’m Comin'
 * B.B. King - Why I Sing the Blues
 * The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Oh Happy Day
 * Muddy Waters - Got My Mojo Working
 * Beyoncé - Freedom
 * Louis Armstrong - Summertime
 * The Isley Brothers - When the Saints Go Marching In
 * Scott Joplin - The Entertainer
 * TLC - Red Light Special
 * The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself
 * The Temptations
 * The Supremes

FUNK
Funk has roots in R&B, jazz, and blues that makes you want to get out of your seat and move! This genre emerged in the late 1960s and has been a foundation for much of the music we enjoy today like pop. The prominent melodic bass and message to enjoy life through is what makes funk so powerful and unique. You can't help but feel it in your soul. You’ll see a mixture of the classics as well as some pop hits that have some funk.

It's All Love (History of Funk) Thriller
 * George Clinton
 * Anderson. Paak
 * Mary J. Blige
 * Michael Jackson
 * Qunicy Jones


 * Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
 * Lizzo - About Damn Time
 * Thelonious Monk - Round Midnight

HIP-HOP
Hip Hop originated in New York City in 1970, building from the foundation of soul and creating a space for artists to express themselves rhythmically. The evolution of hip-hop has grown nationwide with significant influence from the west coast, and of course, the south’s got something to say. Many of us have chimed in on the debate of the best rapper of all time, and we’re excited to feature a few of the greats in this playlist.


 * Kendrick Lamar - i
 * Jay-Z - Legacy
 * Lil Nas X - Star Walkin’
 * Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two
 * Run-D.M.C. - It’s Like That
 * Luniz - I Got Five On It
 * The Seige - Arise

ROCK
What artists come to mind when you think of rock and roll? This genre evolved from a mixture of the Blues, and artists continued to break the mold and create electric sounds that we know and love today.


 * Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven
 * Tina Turner - Proud Mary
 * Prince - Let’s Go Crazy
 * Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower

Queen of the Night
 * Whitney Houston
 * Babyface

COUNTRY
From the instruments to the cadence to the physical location, what’s known and enjoyed as country music has direct roots in the African-American community and tradition. With instruments that harken back to Africa (hello, banjo), performers transformed the very audiences they played to into the people who adopted the music form

Mickey Guyton - All American

Why Things Happen
 * Charlie Pride
 * Darius Rucker
 * Jimmie Allen

HOUSE/DANCE


House made its mark on the world in Chicago in the early 1980s. This electric and energizing music was powered by Black American DJs, including the Godfather of house music, Frankie Knuckles, who married high-tempo disco and electronic dance onto the dance floor. Dance music, similar to house, is filled with up-tempo beats and includes a variety of styles. These are two distinct genres with significant impact!


 * RuPaul - Supermodel (You Better Work)
 * Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation

There are plenty of ways to get involved this month, and we have something for everyone! If you’re interested in updating a few music wikis that are the highlight of this month’s observance, Fandom Staff would be thrilled to provide guidance! If you’re interested in creating your blogs to commemorate the month, we encourage you to share! Comment below with the link to your wiki’s blog so we can share it with the community. Finally, we're all ears if you have any recommendations for IP to feature or discuss.

We look forward to celebrating this month with the community, highlighting users on the platform, and honoring creators who share the same passion for their fandoms. Stay tuned for updates, and Happy Black History Month!