What is BlackPast.org?

BlackPast.org (www.blackpast.org) is the largest free and unrestricted website on African American history currently on the Internet. Founded on February 1, 2007 in Seattle, Washington, the site now has over 10,000 pages of information. Click here to see the BlackPast.org Mission Statement.

What are the major features of BlackPast.org?

The website has an online encyclopedia with entries that average 500 words. These entries are meant to be introductions to individuals, events, and episodes profiled. There are always sources at the end of each entry listing other works that should be consulted for more detailed information. The website also has a series of Perspectives articles that explore various aspects of African American history and the history of people of African ancestry around the world. These articles are written by experts in the field or by contributors who knew individuals associated with a significant event. The other major features of the website are outlined here.

How is the data on BlackPast.org organized and presented?

The website is divided into three major sections on African American History (AAH), African American History in the American West (AAW), and Global African History (GAH). Click here for an organizational guide to the website.

The online encyclopedia is the heart of the website. How are encyclopedia entry subjects determined

The website director in consultation with the BlackPast.org Advisory Board, a group of fifteen noted scholars in U.S., African, and African American history, determines the historical significance of a subject.

How does a potential contributor know if a possible entry is historically significant?

Each subject profiled must have a demonstrated historical influence. The person, event, or episode must have had a clearly evident impact on African America, the United States, or the world.

Who can write for BlackPast.org?

Anyone who is at least 18 years of age and is enrolled in or has graduated from an institution of higher