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The Black Culture

Calendarpresented by 20/20 The numbers don’t lie. Jenelle Coy Managing Partner

Chiderah Monde For the past decade, Black consumers have been the most influential group, Director, Strategy & Insights defining and determining what is culturally relevant all around the world. Julius Valentine Maina, J.D. Director, Impact Black buying power is now over $1.2 trillion, according to Nielsen. Black people are the #1 early adopters that drive conversion amongst other demographics. Marcus Fitts Director, Creative Strategy And took it all to another level, where Black people continue to lead the consumption of content across multiple platforms. Ashley Mason-Greene Director, Public Relations

This is an audience your brand should be talking to. And this calendar of Black Sofia Watson culturally-relevant events, curated by two Black marketing and public relations Communications Strategist professionals, will help you begin or continue that conversation. Miyishia Tribble Subject Matter Expert We hope this calendar is a catalyst for more authentic conversations between consumer and brand, culture and corporate. Dejah Hilliard Account Coordinator

Cheers, Aliyah Johnson Account Coordinator

Alberto Leon ManagingJenelle Partner S. Coy DirectorAshley of Public Mason Relations Greene Research Coordinator

Will Pelcin presented by Research Coordinator Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Many of us think that 20/20 January vision means perfect vision. But that’s not the case. 20/20 1 2 3 4 5 vision is actually a term to ex- New Year’s Day Aretha Franklin makes Kappa Alpha Psi press normal visual acuity. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Fraternity est. The Emancipation history as the first female 1911 Proclamtion (1863) inductee. (1987) Instead of aiming to be perfect, 77th Annual aim to be of clear mind when Independence of Haiti, Golden Globe Sudan and Cameroon Awards planning for the rest of the year.

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 January 13, 1953: Don Barks- dale becomes the first Black Phi Beta Sigma The SCLC est.1957 Zora Neal person to play in an NBA All Hurston Fraternity est.1914 Star Game.

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 UPCOMING EVENTS

Delta Sigma Sansford & Son Alpha Kappa Alpha Debbie Allen Michelle Obama Theta Sorority est. premiers on NBC Sorority est. 1908 CTA’s Consumer 1913 starring Redd Foxx. (1972) Zeta Phi Beta The Jeffersons premieres Electronics Show (CES) Seventh Democratic Sorority est. 1920 on CBS. (1975) Debate January 6-9, 2020

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Las Vegas, NV

Martin Luther King premieres on BET is launched by 62nd Annual Sundance Film Festival Day (US) ABC. (1977) then owner Robert L Grammy Awards Johnson. (1980) Jan. 23 - Feb. 2, 2020 Salt Lake City, Utah 27 28 29 30 31

Oprah Winfrey Jackie Robinson

presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday We know. It’s really Black His- February tory Month, every single month of the year. Use this month to 1 2 highlight historic Black people Starz In Black Super Bowl and events that are most rele- becomes first 24 hour black movie channel vant to your industry. February in 1997. is also .

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 February 20, 1993: Whitney Eighth Democratic 15th Amendment Rosa Parks 25th Anniversary of makes history 92nd Academy ’s “I Will Always Love (1870) “This Is How We Do Debate at the 46th Grammy Awards It” by Montell Jordan Awards as the first You” from the soundtrack to Iowa (Music) hip-hop act to win The Bodyguard tops Billboard’s AOTY. (2004) Hot 100 singles chart for the 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 13th week. New Hampshire Primary The NAACP est. Valentine’s Day Moving America Moving America 1909 Forward Infrastructure Forum Forward Infrastructure Forum – Las Vegas, Nevada – Las Vegas, Nevada UPCOMING EVENTS Morehouse College est. 1867 New York Fashion Week 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 February 6 - 13, 2020

Moving America Ninth Democratic President’s Day Rihanna Nina Simone 51st NAACP Image W.E.B. DuBois Forward Infrastructure Forum Debate Awards Bronner Brothers – Las Vegas, Nevada Sidney Poitier Toni Morrison Malcolm X (d.1965) International Hair Show Nevada Democratic Caucus Independence of Gambia February 8-10, 2020 Atlanta, GA 24 25 26 27 28 29

Mardi Gras Independence of the Hattie McDaniel London Fashion Week Dominican Republic makes history at February 14 – 18, 2020 : Trinidad and the 12th Academy Rio de Janeiro Awards. (1940)

Tenth Democratic South Carolina Milan & Paris Fashion Weeks Debate Democratic Primary February 18 – 24, 2020

presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday March Women hold a majority of the buying power in households and 1 across industries like beauty, fashion, health and fitness and in 2019, research highlighted Black women as the backbone of the 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Democratic party. How will you Howard University Super Tuesday Employee “We Are the World” International celebrate one of the most pow- est. 1867 Appreciation Day single is released to Women’s Day benefit African famine. erful demographics in the world, Independence of (1985) Puerto Rico Black women, this month? Ghana GOP Primary

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 March 28, 2014: headlines

30th Anniversary of Democratic Primary: Independence of 5th Anniversary of the One Mic: Hip-Hop Culture Idaho, Michigan, , Quincy Jones House Party (Film) Missouri, , and Mauritius ’s Worldwide festival at the Kenne- Washington Northern Mariana To Pimp a Butterfly Virgin Islands Islands Democratic (Music) dy Center in New York City with a GOP Primary: Idaho, GOP Caucus Michigan, Mississippi, Mis- Guam GOP Caucus performance of his souri, Ohio, & Washington with the National Symphony Or- 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 chestra.

Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) St. Patrick’s Day First Day of Spring Independence of The Dock Of The Bay” Namibia UPCOMING EVENTS makes history as the first Democratic Primary: posthumous #1 hit. (1968) Ohio, Arizona, & Illinois Spike Lee GOP Caucus GOP Primary: Florida, Black Enterprise Illinois, & Ohio Women of Power Summit 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 March 5 – March 8, 2020

Puerto Rico Las Vegas, NV Usher’s Confessions makes Dorothy Height Aretha Franklin Diana Ross history as the first R&B Democratic Primary album to sell 1.1 million cop- Denzel Washington and Halle Primary ies in its first week. (2004) Berry make history at the 74th SXSW Academy Awards. (2001) March 13 – March 22, 2020 Austin, TX 30 31

International Transgender Day of Visibility

presented by presented by AprilMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Kick off Spring at your city’s best rooftop or patio. Bloom. Begin anew. 1 2 3 4 5

April Fools Day Marvin Gaye Jay-Z signs a landmark Maya Angelou Booker T. 360-deal with with Live April is also Appeciation, Washington Nation which includes his Sexual Assault Awareness, Arab Gil-Scott Heron own label, Roc Nation. Democratic Primary: , Hawaii, , and (2008) Democratic Primary Independence of American Heritage and Cancer Senegal Control Month. GOP Primary: Louisiana

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 April 12, 1973: In one of the World Health Day Paul Robeson Spelman College est. iconic television show’s most 1881 memorable moments, Stevie 25th Anniversary of The Civil War ends. Jackie Robinson signs Bad Boys (Film) (1865) to the Brooklyn Wonder plays a funky, 7-minute Dodgers. (1947) live version of “Superstition” on Wisconsin Primary Sesame Street. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Tiger Woods makes history UPCOMING EVENTS Beyonce makes Tax Day 20th Anniversary of Love James McCune Jamaica Carnival at the 61st Masters history as the first Black & Basketball (Film) Tournament. (1997) Smith woman to headline 26th Anniversary of Coachella. (2018) Kendrick Lamar makes Nas’ Illmatic. Nas is Dreamville Festival Sidney Poitier makes history as the first rapper 20 years old when history at the 35th Academy April 4, 2020 plays his final to win Pulitzer Prize, with this album is released. Awards. (1963) concert, hs last song is his album DAMN. (2018) (1994) Raleigh, NC “Purple Rain.” (2016)

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Coachella Big Sean makes 3rd Anniversary of Ray Charles performs tweets praise 25th Anniversary of Weekend 1: April 10 – 12 history as the first “Georgia On My Mind” for Trump, earning him love Beyonce’s Friday (Film) Weekend 2: April 17 – 19 rapper to perform at the Lemonade (Music) at a ceremony where it is from POTUS and criticism White House. (2014) named the official song of from fans. (2018) Coachella Vallley, CA Georgia. (1979)

27 28 29 30 31 Somthing In The Water

Independence of Togo Apple launches the Duke Ellington Music Festival iTunes store. (2003) April 20 – 26, 2020 Primaries: Connecticut, Beach, VA Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island

presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday doesn’t just May mark the unofficial beginning of Summer! Military enroll- 1 2 3 ment in America changed the

Guam Democratic lives of many a Black family. Caucus It also helped to sprinkle the Kansas Democratic Primary influence of Black culture all around the world. Don’t for-

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 get to acknowledge those who have served. Star Wars Day Mary Mahoney Class of 2020 Mother’s Day Howard University Ella Fitzgerald makes Indiana Primary National Day of Commencement 2020 Hampton Institute May is also Haitian Heritage, history at the 1st Annual Prayer (US) Commencement Grammy Awards (1958) Independence of Ethiopia Jewish American Heritage and Aware- Solange Knowles attacks Jay-Z in an elevator. ness Month. (2014)

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 May 1, 1994: For the first time, MTV Unplugged fea- Louis Farrakhan Hazel Harrison Stevie Wonder The series finale of 2020 Commencements Brown v. Board. Moesha airs. (2001) for Spelman and (1954) tures rap acts, with De La Morehouse Nebraska Primary Soul, MC Lyte, ATCQ and LL debuts Primary the Moonwalks at the Cool J. LL steals the show Motown 25th anniversary with a shirtless rendition TV special. (1983) of “Mama Said Knock You 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Out.” Malcolm X Independence of Cuba Independence of Eritrea UPCOMING EVENTS Kentucky Primary Toussaint L’Ouverture

Oregon Primary Rolling Loud 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 May 8 – 10, 2020 Miami, FL Memorial Day Independence of Independence of Guyana South Africa

presented by presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Is there a Black June people didn’t influence? Black music probably needs its own decade or two but June is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 African-American Music End of Virgin Islands Morgan Freeman Cornel West Josephine Baker Democratic Caucus Prince Appreciation Month.

The word “stan” is added Montana, , It’s a celebration! to the Oxford American and South Dictionary. (2017) Dakota Primaries June 3, 2019: Forbes declares 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Jay-Z a billionaire, making him the first rapper to earn the title. World Ocean’s Day Hattie McDaniel 30th Anniversary of Mariah Carey’s eponymous debut album Mariah Carey (Music) UPCOMING EVENTS 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Governors Ball Music Festival District of Columbia Jay-Z makes history at Phylicia Rashad Lionel Richie Father’s Day the Songwriters Hall of Democratic Primary June 5 – 7, 2020 Fame as the first rapper Kayla Lewis coins the Randall’s Island Park, NY JUNETEETH First Day of inductee. (2017) Summer term “On Fleek.” (2014)

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 National Association of Black Accountants Clarence Thomas Beyoncé releases Independence of Independence of Independence of her first solo album, Mozambique Madagascar Djibouti National Convention Dangerously in Love. June 9 – 13, 2020 (2003) Indianapolis, IN

29 30 American Black Film Festival Independence of Independence of June 17 – 20, 2020 Seychelles Kinshasha/Congo Miami Beach, FL Kwame Ture Lena Horne BET Experience June 25 – 28 Los Angeles, CA

presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday There’s nothing like seeing Black July people decked out in all white linen to stay cool in the New

1 2 3 4 5 Orleans heat. That’s one of the visuals you’ll likely see from Es- Independence of Medgar Evars Independence of Independence Day Independence of Somalia, Burundi and Algeria (US) Cape Verde sence Festival. This year, the Rwanda The Civil Rights Act largest global gathering of Black 25th Anniversary of (1964 culture stages July 1-July 5, ex- Walter F. White D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar. tending to five days for the first ESSENCE Festival ESSENCE Festival time ever and marking Essence Magazine’s 50th anniversary. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Independence of Independence of The Independence of July 6, 2019: With 13 weeks Malawi, and Bahamas São Tomé and Prin- Comoros cipe at #1, “Old Town Road” by Lil Mary McLeod Nas X breaks the record for lon- Bethune gest-running hip-hop song on the Hot 100. “Lose Yourself,” 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 “Boom Boom Pow” and “See The formation of Amazon Prime Day Ida B. Wells Barnett You Again” all had runs of 12 #BlackLivesMatter (2013) weeks.

Democtatic Convention Democtatic Convention Democtatic Convention Democtatic Convention UPCOMING EVENTS 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NAACP Annual Convention Alice Dunbar Frantz Fanon Poetic Justice, Alexandre Dumas starring Janet Jackson July 25 – 29, 2020 and , Boston, MA opens in theaters. (1993) National Dental Association 26 27 28 29 30 31 Annual Convention Independence of Prince stars in the film Eid al-Adha Lollapalooza July 9 – 12, 2020 Liberia Purple Rain. (1984) New Orleans, LA

presented by presented by Another place to market to Black people in their best linens (and maybe see The Obamas) is Mar- tha’s Vineyard. In August, the Mar- tha’s Vineyard African American Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Film Festival takes place August August 7-15, followed by Art on the Vine, the premier art exhibition featuring 1 2 works by contemporary artists of color and opportunities for new & Independence of James Baldwin Benin seasoned art collectors.

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 UPCOMING EVENTS

Edward Blyden 44th President of Independence of Independence of Ralph Bunche The Notorious B.I.G. Whitney The United States Burkino Faso Jamaica releases his debut Houston National Medical Association Independence of Barack H. Obama Independence of Côte solo single, “Juicy.” Annual Convention & Assembly Niger d’Ivoire (1994) August 1 – 5, 2020 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Atlanta, GA

41st Anniversary of Independence of Eid al-Adha Independence of the Ervin “Magic” Maxine Waters Independence of Michael Jackson’s Off Chad Central Johnson Gabon National Funeral Directors and The Wall (Music) African Republic Independence of Mortician Association The Watts Riots of Brazzaville/Congo The Watts Riots of Voting Rights Act of 1965 1965 83rd National Convention 1965 is passed August 1 – 6, 2020 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 National Harbor, MD

Marcus Garvey “The Breaks” by Kurtis Blow makes history as National Urban League first rap single certified Gold. (1980) Annual Conference August 5 – 8, 2020 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Houston, TX Althea Gibson The March on Wash- Michael ington (1963) Jackson GOP Convention GOP Convention GOP Convention GOP Convention Blacks In Government 42nd Annual National 31 Training Institute

Independence of August 24 – 27, 2020 Trinidad & Tobago Tampa, FL

presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Congressional Black Caucus’ September Foundation Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), known as “CBC

1 2 3 4 5 6 Week”, takes place September 15- 20, 2020 in Washington D.C. The Richard Wright Independence of Swaziland ALC is the premiere policy confer- ence on issues impacting African Beyonce Knowles Carter Americans. More than 10,000 people attend 100 public policy 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 forums and just as many parties & events hosted by large brands, state The Fresh Prince of 106&Park premieres Jesse Owens Alain Locke Bel-Air debuts on on BET. (2000) societies and organizations. NBC. (1999)

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 UPCOMING EVENTS

Sugarhill Gang’s Independence of St. Ferdinand “Rappers Delight” makes Kitts and Nevis The National Black MBA history as the first rap “Jelly Roll” song to chart on the the Morton Association Hot 100. (1979) Iota Phi Theta est. 1963 42nd Annual Conference September 22 – 26, 2020 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Washington, DC

Independence of Independence of Mali Mary Church Terrell Independence of Belize Guinea-Bissau 140th Annual National First Day of Autumn Baptist Convention Kwame Nkrumah September 7 – 11, 2020 28 29 30 31 National Harbor, Maryland

Stevie Wonder Rosh Hashana Independence of releases Songs in the Botswana First Presidential Debate Key of Life (1976) First Presidential Debate September 29, 2020 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana

presented by presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday October If there’s something you didn’t get to or still need to wrap up, start

1 2 3 4 now. Q4 will be over before you know it. Independence of Independence of Independence of Nigeria Guinea Lesotho October is also Black History Soul Train (UK), LGBT History, Miscarriage premieres. (1971) Awareness and National Domestic 30th Anniversary of Whitney Houston’s “I’m Violence Awareness Month. Your Baby Tonight” (Music)

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 UPCOMING EVENTS

Fannie Lou Hamer Elijah Muhammed Independence of Frederick D. Pat- Austin City Limits Festival Uganda terson October 2 – 11, 2020 Vice Presidential Debate Austin, TX

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Vice Presidential Debate Indigenous Second Presidential Arna Debate Henry Lewis Chuck Berry October 7, 2020 People’s Day Bontemps Al Green’s infamous ‘Grits University of Utah Independence of Incident’ occurs – he Salt Lake City, Utah Equatorial Guinea takes this as a sign from God to focuses on gospel & preaching. (1974) Second Presidential Debate 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 October 15, 2020

Third Presidential Independence of University of Michigan Enolia Pettigen Debate Pele McMillan Zambia Ann Arbor, Michigan

Third Presidential Debate 26 27 28 29 30 31 October 22, 2020 Belmont University Mahalia Independence of Jackson St. Vincent and the Nashville, Grenadines 20th anniversary of Outkast’s (Music)

presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Greens! Beans! Potatoes! November Tomatoes! Ram! Lamb! Hog! Dog! Chicken!....

1 You NAME IT!

Independence of Antigua and Barbuda Is it just us or have some of the best memes come from The 1st issue of Jet culturally bonding experienc- Magazine is published. (1951) es like Thanksgiving and the 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 commonalities Black com- munities have within those Independence of William Bells Brown 25th Anniversary of Dominica Goodie Mob’s Soul experiences? Engage with Food (Music) some of the internet’s best ELECTION DAY content creators on Twitter, 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Instagram and YouTube to

Dorothy Veteran’s Day Sigma Gamma Rho get in on the conversation. Dandridge est. 1922 Independence of Angola November 30, 1982: Michael 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jackson releases Thriller, Omega Psi Phi est. 10th Anniversary of which becomes, by far, the 1911 Kanye West’s MBDTF best selling album world- (Music) wide. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Scott Joplin Independence of Thanksgiving Gordy Berry Adam Clayton Suriname Powell, Jr. Jimi Hendrix Independence of Mauritania

30

Independence of Barbados

presented by presented by Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday This year has come to an end. December We hope this guide has been a catalyst for more authentic con- 1 2 3 4 5 6 versations between consumer Giving Tuesday Alpha Phi Alpha est. 13th Amendment and brand, culture and corporate. 1906 (1865) Let us know what you think! Rose Parks refuses to give up her seat (1955) December 13, 2013: In a bold 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and brilliant marketing move, Beyoncé’s self-titled album is re- Reginald Lewis Independence of Begins Independence of leased with no advance notice, Tanzania Kenya sending radio stations scram- bling to get the songs on the air. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 UPCOMING EVENTS Green Monday William A. Hinton Hanukkah Ends Super Saturday Free Shipping Day Mid-December: The electors Carter G. Woodson Total Solar Eclipse 35th Anniversary of (members) of the Electoral Col- The Color Purple (Film) lege meet in their respective state capitals (electors for the 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 District of Columbia meet within First Day Arthur W. Mitchell Madam C.J. Walker Eve Christmas Day KWANZAA the district) to formally vote for of Winter the president and vice president 25th Anniversary of DeFord Bailey, Sr., a Waiting to Exhale (Film) harmonica player, makes history as the first Black 2021 performer on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. (1924) January 5: Electoral votes formal- ly counted before a joint session 28 29 30 31 January 1, 2020 of Congress; the president of the KWANZAA KWANZAA KWANZAA KWANZAA KWANZAA Senate formally announces the electoral result

New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day January 20: Inauguration Day

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