- Use the first week to highlight literature, studying accomplished African American writers. There are several hundred to choose from that have made significant contributions to American literature. James Baldwin, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Richard Wright are just a few of the many authors to choose from. Have students choose five to write a one paragraph bio on each day.
- Try lesser known African American heroes by choosing inventors. Talk about what African Americans have contributed to society. George Washington Carver, who discovered over 300 uses for peanuts, Benjamin Banneker who built a striking clock entirely from wood and Norbert Rilieux who developed an evaporator that saved time and money for the sugar processing industry. Have students write a report about the inventor and his or her invention.
- There have been thirty-two African Americans who were either presidential or vice-presidential candidates. These include Carol Moseley Braun, senator from Illinois, Lawence Douglas Wilder, governor of Virginia, Barbara Jordan, congresswoman from Texas, New York, congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm and Alan Lee Keyes who served in the US Foreign Service and several other positions. Allow students to choose one of these candidates and talk about their platform.
- Education is another area where African Americans have made a great contribution. Booker T. Washington who founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, John Hope Franklin, Duke Professor Emeritus of History and Mary McLeod Bethune and educator and activist were all notable examples. Have the students choose any African American educator, past or present, and give a presentation about how they made a difference in the education of African Americans.
