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Every year in February, the UFCW joins with our partners and allied communities in celebrating Black History Month.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Black History Month dates to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans dedicated the second week in February as “Negro History Week” to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the celebration was officially recognized and expanded by President Gerald Ford and every U.S. president since then has celebrated Black History Month during the month of February.

During Black History Month, we will pay tribute to civil rights and labor leaders and other prominent individuals in the African American community for all they have done to advance equality and justice. Not only will we honor and remember the past and how far we have come, but we look to the present and highlight those who are actively fighting for civil, human, and labor rights to ensure a better life for all. The International’s Black History Month virtual program will take place on February 28 at 1:30 p.m. ET and will revolve around the theme “Reflecting on Black Resistance and Black Resilience.”

Please visit our website and social media platforms throughout February to find the latest information about additional events and programming for the month. If your local has a member activist you would like to profile during Black History Month, please contact Julie Anderson at janderson@ufcw.org.

The work of UFCW members will be represented at this year’s Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb 12. 

The leather for every single NFL football, including the ones that will be used in Sunday’s Super Bowl, is crafted by members of UFCW Local 1546 who work at the Horween Leather Company in Chicago. The hard-working men and women of the Horween Leather Company have been supplying the leather for every Super Bowl football since the very first game in 1967. The company takes pride in the talented UFCW members whose skills can be seen in the high quality of the final product, and you can learn more about the work of these members at the Horween Leather Company here.

This year, UFCW members who work at E.&J. Gallo Winery in Modesto and Fresno, Calif., will also be represented at the Super Bowl. These workers are represented by UFCW Local 8-Golden State and UFCW Local 186D. E.&J. Gallo is the official wine sponsor of the NFL and E.&J. Gallo products, including the Barefoot brand which is made by UFCW members, will have an onsite presence at premiere events, and in broadcast, digital and social media content leading up to and during the Super Bowl.