Beginning Feb. 1, schools, museums and communities across the nation will mark the start of Black History Month — a celebration of Black history, culture and education. The history of the month dates back almost a century, and the way it is celebrated and evolved has created history in itself.

The Boston Public Library's "Black Is..." annual booklist includes “The Message,” a nonfiction essay book and travelogue by activist-writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, memoirs by Whoopi Goldberg and RuPaul, and “Come and Get It,

For me, this does not do anything except make me double down on my commitment to teach it to my children,” said entrepreneur and activist Sheletta Brundidge.