February is Black History Month, and the theme for 2023 is Black Resistance. The classroom is the perfect place to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans throughout U.S. history and, in particular, the ways in which they have resisted historic and ongoing oppression. Since your classroom door and the bulletin boards around your room are viewed every day by your students, they’re the perfect place to get creative in celebrating Black history. Whether you want to pay homage to historical figures like Harriet Tubman or present-day heroes like Michelle Obama, there are Black History Month bulletin board ideas for every classroom.
1. Quote Harriet Tubman
Equally adorable and inspirational, this bulletin board prominently features a young Black girl alongside a quote from abolitionist Harriet Tubman. We love that the girl’s curls are 3D since it really makes the bulletin board pop off the wall.
Source: Atlantic Christian School
2. Reach for the Stars
If you’re going to celebrate Black excellence, Mae Jemison is certainly a good person to start with. What’s more impressive than being an astronaut? How about being an astronaut, a medical doctor, and a trained dancer! Bonus points for this door since it also represents women in STEM!
Source: Brookhollow Elementary
3. Celebrate the Past, Present, and Future
We love that this Black History Month bulletin board features Black changemakers from not only the past and present but also children and teens who are already on their way to making a difference. Students will surely see themselves in someone like Naomi Wadler, who at just 11 years old gave one of the most powerful speeches at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C.
Source: NB Wilber School
4. Learn From Black History
Pick your favorite heroes from Black history, then select a verb to pair with them to create this inspiring bulletin board. We love the eye-popping use of rainbow colors to really grab your attention.
Source: Pinterest/No FireDrills
5. Get to the Heart of Herstory
This bulletin board works equally well for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month. We love the play on the word history since this board is dedicated exclusively to the incredible ladies out there.
Source: Pinterest/No Firedrills
6. Honor Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges makes for the perfect subject for a Black History Month bulletin board or door in an elementary school since students will relate to her age at the time of her heroic act. The fact that Ruby Bridges is still just in her sixties will really drive home to students just how recent segregation occurred.
Source: Mrs. Koski’s First Grade Class
7. Identify Black Pioneers
Get your students involved with this Black History Month bulletin board by having them research Black pioneers and then having them draw a picture of their subject. Once done, attach them to a simple black background, and voilà! You have your board of firsts!
Source: The Core Coaches
8. Get Inspired by a Hollywood Film
If you’re a math or science teacher, then this door based on the movie Hidden Figures is the one for you! Not crafty enough to bring this one to life? Enlist the help of your favorite art teacher!
Source: Tracey Campbell | 6th grade math | Pinebluff, AR
9. Showcase the Power of Black Art
This award-winning door and hallway design features a young artist whose hair transcends the span of Black art history. The hallway features ancient African sculpture as well as more modern artists like Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley.
Source: Kahoks.org
10. Honor a Young Poet
As the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, Amanda Gorman makes for the perfect subject for a Black History Month bulletin board. We especially love the variety of sizes and fonts of the words of her poem as they really call attention to the message.
Source: English Montreal School Board
11. Test Your Students’ Knowledge
Equally informative and fun, this interactive bulletin board challenges students to match the description of the person from Black history with their picture.
Source: Brainerd Baptist School
12. Celebrate Black Athletes
Since many kids love sports, why not combine that love with Black history on a bulletin board like this one? Be sure to include athletes of different ages across different sports so kids can find someone to look up to regardless of their sport of choice.
Source: Twitter/Christine Sommer
13. Draw Inspiration From Maya Angelou
Teach your students about Maya Angelou while challenging them to bring one of her many famous quotes to life. We especially love the chain-style rainbow and animated clouds on this bulletin board.
Source: Randolph Academy
14. Make a Periodic Table of Black History
This bulletin board is just oh so unique and would be perfect for a science teacher who wants to celebrate Black history. You can get your students involved with researching Black changemakers to replace the elements.
Source: Eagle Nation Online
15. Show Love for Black History
Since both Valentine’s Day and Black History Month are in February, why not combine them into this affordable and easy to re-create bulletin board?
Source: Englewood Charter School
16. Raise a Hand for Martin Luther King Jr.
Have your students create painted handprints, then use them to form a heart around a photo of King and his famous quote. Finally, have kids write out what their dream is and attach those to the board as well.
Source: Primrose Schools
17. Create an Interactive Board
We certainly love a good interactive bulletin board at WeAreTeachers! Students can select a card to pull and then read all about the subject.
Source: Gwinnett County Public Schools
18. Use Words To Inspire
This bulletin board idea is simple but gets to the heart of the matter. Follow their lead and include quotes by Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and other famous Black Americans, then have your students select words around justice and civil rights to flush out the board.
Source: The Core Coaches
19. Send a Powerful Message
We love that this Black History Month poster makes it clear that Black history is American history. Make sure that message is in big, bold letters then select important people and events to complete the poster or bulletin board.
Source: Twitter/Naumann PTA
20. Make Some Black Girl Magic
This one’s for the girls! This would be a perfect setup for a library or a case in the hallway since we love the idea of incorporating some books into the display. Honor Black women of the past and present, from Sojourner Truth to Oprah Winfrey.
Source: Midlo Scoop
Need some more ideas for bulletin boards? Check out these January bulletin boards.
Want to know what makes a bulletin board simple and effective? Check out these secrets to easy bulletin boards.
