Results
BHMC Changed the Way a Community Honors Black History—And Won a $15K Grant
How a month-long celebration became a year-round catalyst for community healing.
The Results
50+ community events in February 2023
Official mayoral proclamation declaring "Black History Month Columbus"
$15,000 Jurgemeyer Community Leadership Project of the Year Award
Comprehensive digital platform serving ongoing community needs
Sustainable framework for year-round Black history celebration (BH365)
Black History Month Columbus partnered with local Black-led organizations including the African American Foundation to transform how their community celebrates, learns from, and honors Black history. They collaborated with Good Creatives to build not just an initiative—but a movement. One that reached across Bartholomew County, multiple generations, and diverse community sectors. Their goal? Inclusive healing. Their strategy? Storytelling and community engagement backed by purposeful branding and a platform built for lasting impact.
In just one year, they launched 50+ events, earned official recognition, won a major community award, and established a sustainable digital platform that continues serving the community today.
Brand strategy & visual identity development
Comprehensive website design & development
Educational resource curation and organization
Community business directory creation
Event calendar and registration system
Organic social media strategy and content creation
Press release writing and media outreach
Good Creatives designed BHMC's complete brand identity from the ground up, creating a visual system to honor Black heritage while emphasizing the message "Black History is for everyone."
With this foundation established, Good Creatives built BHMC’s website: a community-first platform featuring real stories, authentic history, and actionable resources. This website serves as a hub for discovery, connecting residents to Black-owned businesses, educational materials, and ongoing events. Every page emphasizes three key principles: that Black history IS American history, that healing comes through education and engagement, and that this work extends far beyond February.
In addition, Good Creatives collaborated with local historians Paulette Roberts and Brenda Pitts to create the And Still We Rise historical exhibit. This powerful installation uncovered jaw-dropping local discoveries—like abolitionist Frederick Douglass speaking at the Crump Theater in 1873—and brought them to life for the community. The exhibit became a powerful anchor for the initiative, blending scholarship, storytelling, and pride in place.
This multi-faceted approach—spanning brand design, historical exhibits, digital platform, and sustainable programming—earned BHMC recognition as the Jurgemeyer Community Leadership Project of the Year, along with a $15,000 grant for its remarkable contributions.
How We Did It
