Black History is American History Act

Last progress January 31, 2025 (11 months ago)

Introduced on January 31, 2025 by Joyce Beatty

This bill would make Black history a regular, required part of how American history is taught in programs that get certain federal education grants. Colleges, libraries, and museums would need to include Black history to qualify for American History and Civics Academies grants, which fund teacher workshops and student programs in history and civics. It also directs that national tests include Black history. The goal is to help teachers and students learn a fuller, more accurate story of America.

The bill also tells the Education Department to favor grant applications that use resources from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, strengthening ties to trusted educational materials. Congress states that Black history is essential to understanding U.S. history and civic life.

• Who is affected: Teachers, students, and programs run by schools, colleges, libraries, and museums that seek these federal education grants.
• What changes: Including Black history becomes a requirement for certain grants; national tests must cover Black history; and applicants that align with the Smithsonian museum’s resources get priority.
• When: If enacted, changes would roll out through existing federal grant programs and national testing updates.