The Journal of African American History

• 1. Founding And Origins

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  January 1916 marked the birth of a new scholarly voice when Carter G. Woodson launched The Journal of Negro History in Washington, D.C. No other academic publication existed to cover African-American history at that moment. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland established the journal to fill this glaring gap in American publishing. Black scholars struggled to find outlets for their research while white-dominated institutions ignored their work entirely. The founders created a space where African-American life could be examined without ridicule or dismissal. This initiative transformed how historians approached the study of black culture and experience across the United States.

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• 2. Evolution Of Identity

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  The name changed from The Journal of Negro History to The Journal of African American History in 2001 after decades of use. The parent organization also shifted its title from the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. These updates reflected evolving language choices within the academic community and broader society. Woodson originally founded both entities in Chicago before moving operations to Washington, D.C. The transition preserved the core mission while adapting to changing cultural norms. The journal remained quarterly throughout these decades of transformation.

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• 3. Scholarly Impact And Figures

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  W. E. B. Du Bois contributed early articles alongside John Hope Franklin and Benjamin Quarles during the journal's formative years. These three men became pillars of African-American historical scholarship through their published works. Carter G. Woodson himself received the nickname Father of African American History for his pioneering efforts. Jesse E. Moorland donated novels and manuscripts to Howard University libraries to support research. Arthur Spingarn worked alongside Moorland to build collections that would become the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. Joe R. Feagin later advanced this scholarly tradition as president of the American Sociological Association.

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• 4. Women In Academia

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  Female authors contributed nine percent of articles published in The Journal of Negro History compared to only three percent elsewhere. Marion Thompson Wright earned a doctoral degree in history and published her work on blacks in New Jersey through the journal. Before this publication existed, women of color faced ridicule when attempting to enter academic discourse. The journal provided an outlet where female scholars could publish without facing the same barriers as their male counterparts. This approach proved revolutionary during the 1900s when academia largely excluded women from historical study. The percentage of female contributions remained significantly higher than other notable journals like Mississippi Valley Historical Review.

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• 5. Institutional Partnerships

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  The University of Chicago Press began publishing the journal in 2018 under a deal signed by editor V. P. Franklin. Franklin had previously worked at Harvard University alongside Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham before taking over editorial duties. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History retained ownership while delegating production responsibilities. Bertis English became editor in December 2023 after years of service to Alabama State University. These partnerships ensured the journal's survival into the twenty-first century while maintaining its independent oversight structure.

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• 6. Legacy And Black History Month

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  Woodson established African American History Week in 1926 to coincide with birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. This celebration grew directly from the journal's efforts to highlight black history and culture annually. The week eventually expanded into what is now known as Black History Month every February. ASALH continues to oversee both the journal and the annual observance today. Woodson's original vision connected scholarly publication with public education about African-American experiences. The journal publishes more than sixty book reviews each year to support ongoing historical research.

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