According to Webster, ASALH considered that question when it selected the 2001 African-American Month History theme, Creating and Defining an African-American Community: Family, Church, Politics and Culture.

Scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded ASALH, a non-profit organization, in 1915. Woodson believed that "if a race has no recorded history, its achievements would be forgotten and, in time, claimed by other groups."

In 1926, Woodson organized Negro History Week, which evolved into Black History Month (also known as African-American History Month). According to Webster, each year, the ASALH executive board, which consists of more than thirty scholars and historians, selects the national themes.

ASALH teaches others about the contributions of African-Americans through its learning resource package that coincides with the national theme. The 2001 package, which centers on the fundamental elements of the African-American community, presents the "historical legacy of the African-American experience in the evolving context of the new century."

Within the history of Customs, African-Americans served on the country's frontline in the late 1800s. Joseph Lee and John Deveaux, who were appointed as Customs collectors (later known as District Directors) before the turn of the century, are examples of African-Americans in leadership roles within Customs. Special Agent Robert Elliott and Customs Collector Robert Smalls served in the U.S. Congress prior to beginning their service with Customs.

Photo Credit: Customs Archives

Martin R. Delany, Major, U.S. Army, in military uniform. Delany also served as a Customs Inspector.

Coincidentally, Martin R. Delany, who was a Customs Inspector at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1873, is highlighted as a political figure in ASALH's Learning Resource package. In 1865, Delany was the first African-American commissioned field officer to achieve the rank of major in the regular infantry. In 1852, he wrote The Condiditon, Elevation, Emigration and Destiny of the Colored People of the Untied States, and Politically Considered, which was the first major appeal for emigration. Also, in 1847, he co-founded with Frederick Douglass, the North Star, the most widely known African-American newspaper of the pre-Civil War era.

Thanks to organizations like ASALH, the contributions and achievements of African-Americans have not been forgotten. Nearly 75 years later, ASALH continues Woodson's legacy of documenting and teaching about African-Americans contributions to this country.

"ASALH dreams of the day when the sharing and contribution of all Americans will be so appreciated, accepted, and understood that there will be no further need for any ethnic group to call attention to its contributions," says Webster.

To obtain an educational resource package or learn more about ASALH, visit www.artnoir.com.