Why is Black History Month in February? The commemoration of important Black Americans and events happens largely during the shortest month of the year.

President Donald Trump commemorated Black History Month at the White House alongside golfer Tiger Woods weeks after signing an executive order ending diversity programs and the Defense Department declaring that “identity months” are “dead.

Mwatabu Okantah was at Kent State when Black History Month was first celebrated. He reflects on the groundwork laid and why it still matters.