Black History Month Celebrates 100 Years

Honoring Black History Month Celebrates 100 Years

Black History Month as a week-long observance in 1926, and has grown into a nationwide opportunity to examine both the progress made and the work that remains. For the legal profession in particular, this month offers a meaningful reminder of the law’s power, not only to reflect society, but to help transform it.

The Origins of Black History Month

Black History Month traces its roots to historian Carter G. Woodson, who established “Negro History Week” to encourage the study and recognition of Black Americans’ contributions to U.S. history. Over time, the observance expanded into the month-long commemoration we recognize today, underscoring the importance of preserving stories that might otherwise go untold.

For legal professionals, this tradition aligns closely with our role as stewards of precedent and advocates for justice. Understanding history equips us to better interpret the present and guide the future.

A Look Back: Virginia v. Rives and the Limits of Early Equal Protection

One case that highlights the evolving interpretation of constitutional protections is Virginia v. Rives (1880). The matter arose after two Black defendants were convicted by an all-white jury; their attorneys argued that local officials systematically excluded Black citizens from jury service in violation of the Equal Protection Clause.

The U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged that the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits discriminatory state laws and intentional discrimination but held that it did not guarantee a racially mixed jury.

Examining cases like Rives reminds us that legal progress is rarely linear. Instead, it unfolds through decades of advocacy, litigation, and societal change.

A Modern Milestone: Honoring Barbara Rose Johns

History is not only something we study—it is something we continue to write. In December 2025, a statue of civil rights pioneer Barbara Rose Johns was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol, replacing a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Johns was just 16 years old when she led a 1951 student strike in Farmville, Virginia, protesting unequal educational conditions. Her actions helped spark one of the lawsuits that ultimately contributed to the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which ended legal school segregation.

Today, she stands alongside George Washington as one of Virginia’s two representatives in the National Statuary Hall Collection – such a powerful symbol of how our understanding of leadership and justice continues to evolve.

Looking Ahead: The Law as a Living Instrument

The journey from Virginia v. Rives to the recognition of Barbara Johns reflects a broader truth: the law is not static. It responds to courageous individuals, changing norms, and persistent calls for equality.

Black History Month encourages us to look beyond celebration toward reflection and responsibility. As members of the legal community, we are uniquely positioned to uphold fairness, expand opportunity, and ensure that the principles embedded in our Constitution are realized for all.

Spotts Fain honors both the challenges and achievements that define our legal history, and we reaffirm a commitment to progress - one case, one client, and one generation at a time.