(Washington, DC) -- Maryland Congressman Kweisi Mfume and New Jersey Senator Booker have introduced legislation in their respective chambers to support African American history education.
The African American History Act of 2026 would authorize $20 million in funding over five years for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support history education programs for students, parents, and educators.
It would also define African American history as inclusive of the history of slavery and the civil rights movement, along with the numerous contributions of African Americans to the nation's collective history.
"African American History is American history, and it is essential that we work to ensure that it is told fully and accurately. The full history of the Black experience in America must always be protected – because the story of African American people is integral to the story of the United States of America, and that history must be respected and admired as such," said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. "The African American History Act of 2026 will serve as a lifeline to ensure that the teaching of Black history is given the resources needed to protect it from the push to censor the truth from the very highest levels of our government, and I am grateful that Senator Booker has joined me in this crucial effort in the United States Senate. We must be unwavering in our message to this administration: Your efforts will fail. What you erase, we will replace."
“American history cannot be told honestly without including the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of Black Americans. When we rewrite or distort that history, we weaken our understanding of who we are as a nation and the work that is still needed to build a more just society,” said Senator Booker. “I am proud to reintroduce this legislation that expands access to African American history programs, helps local leaders incorporate these programs into their curriculums, and provides students and families with resources to meaningfully engage with the full story of Black history in America.”
