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ASAIH Of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, a major national organization in the twin fields of life and history, is composed of members of all racial groups in America. We welcome your membership, and offer full participation in meetings, conferences and conventions and in other activities.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE IDEA
The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History was conceived by Dr. Carter G. Woodson as an instrument to promote appreciation of the life and history of the Black American, to encourage an understanding of present status, and to enrich the promise of the future.

In 1915, there was, as now, tremendous neglect of the study of the Negro and most other racial groups. Out of this lack of understanding, misinformation about race and color flourished. The founding of The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History provided needed reconstruction of thought based on historical truth about African heritage of black people, ancient history and worthwhile contribution to the founding and the continuation of the United States of America.

BEGINNINGS
The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History was:
1. Organized by Carter G. Woodson in Chicago, September 9, 1915, with the participation of George Cleveland Hall, W. B. Hartgrove, J. E. Stamps, and Alexander L. Jackson.

2. Incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, October 2, 1915, with Carter G. Woodson, J. E. Moorland, and J. A. Bigham as trustees.


The Association:
3. Published the first number of THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, January 1, 1916, and since that date has published this historical magazine regularly each quarter.

4. Originated Negro History Week on February 7, 1926, and has continued the celebration annually. This observance is now Afro-American History Month, and occurs during the entire month of February each year.

5. Brought out the Negro History Bulletin, October 1, 1937. The magazine is published six times per year, January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October, and November-December.

PROGRAMS
The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History:
1. Promotes historical research and writing.

2. Publishes books on Afro-American life and history.

3. Sponsors the study of Black History through schools, colleges, churches, homes, fraternal groups, and clubs.

4. Collects historical manuscripts and materials relating to black people and makes findings available throughout the world.

5. Seeks harmony between peoples, and acceptance, by interpreting the history of one to the other.

6. Directs the attention of scientific investigators and serious scholars to the neglected field of Black History.

7. Organizes and stimulates the studies by state and local groups, which have done much to change the attitudes of communities towards the Afro-American, and vice versa.

8. Encourages the training at accredited universities of young men and women in acceptable methods of research in the social sciences, history and other disciplines.

9. Serves as a principal proponent in the nation of the concept of "I Am Somebody" and encourages proper training, desire to achieve, an opportunity for "I Can Do", so vital for minorities for participation in the American establishment.

10. Operates as the pioneer and accepted — by militants and non-militants alike — as a core historical organization of the Black Civil Rights movement.

11. Serves through Headquarters Office in Washington and branches in major cities as a focus for scholarship, relevance and planning for improvement in Afro-American living.

12. Cooperates with governmental agencies, foundations, peoples and nations and projects designed to further the study of ethnic history, with particular emphasis on the black heritage and programs for the future.

13. Sponsors an annual convention attended by upwards of 1,500 persons — delegates, representatives, visitors — which is a premier national venture of discussion, decision and projection in Afro-American life.

14. Merits and is respected by leaders and lay citizens alike for truthfulness in interpretation of research on race, for publications designed to close the information gap about race, and for historical relevance in the United States and abroad.

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