7 Text Messages to Send for Black History Month

Why Black History Month matters for nonprofit messaging

February is Black History Month, celebrating Black accomplishments, contributions, traditions, and joy while paying tribute to adversity both in years past and currently. Incorporating Black History Month into your nonprofit's text messaging campaign is a powerful way to engage supporters, educate them on important issues, and drive positive future action.

Black History Month has been officially recognized since 1976, when President Gerald Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Today the observance spans schools, workplaces, government, and the nonprofit sector. For mission-driven organizations, it is both an opportunity and a responsibility: an opportunity to deepen supporter relationships around shared values, and a responsibility to do so authentically. The NAACP's Black History Month resource hub offers background on the month's origins and ongoing significance that can inform your messaging.

The key is to approach with intentionality and respect. These messages should educate, inspire, and invite participation — not co-opt a cultural moment for a donation ask. Lead with substance, and let giving opportunities follow naturally.

Here are seven types of text messages to send during Black History Month, along with practical tips for each.

1. Educational content

Text messaging is a direct, personal channel — perfect for sharing bite-sized educational content that connects to your mission and Black history.

Daily or weekly facts

Send daily or weekly texts with significant facts about Black history, achievements, and key figures to educate and inspire your audience. These don't need to be long — a single compelling fact with a link to learn more can be highly effective.

"Did you know [historical fact related to your cause]? This Black History Month, we're honoring the legacy of those who paved the way. Learn more: [link]"

Storytelling

Share stories of notable Black individuals, contributions, or moments in history that align with your nonprofit's mission. Use text messages to link to more detailed content on your website, blog, or social media channels where supporters can engage more deeply with the narrative.

Research consistently shows that storytelling is one of the most effective ways to drive donor engagement. A study published by the Stanford Social Innovation Review found that personal narratives activate empathy and increase the likelihood of charitable action. By connecting a specific historical figure or moment to your organization's work, you create a through-line between past achievements and current impact — making your message feel purposeful rather than performative.

2. Event promotion

If your organization is hosting or participating in Black History Month events, text messaging is the fastest way to get the word out and drive attendance.

Virtual events

If your organization is hosting a virtual event — a LinkedIn Live, an exclusive webinar, a panel discussion, or an online exhibition related to Black History Month — texting your supporters the details is a direct way to encourage attendance. Use text messages to send reminders, registration links, or last-minute updates such as a link to join the event.

"Join us on [date] for [event name] — a celebration of [theme]. RSVP here: [link]"

Community events

For nonprofits involved in local communities, use text messages to inform supporters about local Black History Month events such as museum exhibits, cultural festivals, or community service opportunities. These messages position your organization as a connector within the community.

The Smithsonian Institution's Black History Month programming is a good example of what community-facing engagement looks like at scale. Many of their events are virtual and free, which means you can share them with supporters regardless of location. Curating a short list of local and national events to share via text shows supporters that your organization is a thoughtful resource, not just a fundraising channel.

3. Fundraising campaigns

When a fundraising ask is directly connected to your mission and the month's theme, it feels natural and meaningful. Be specific about what the donation supports.

Support Black-serving organizations

Launch a fundraising campaign via text to support nonprofits, community projects, or educational initiatives that exist to honor or impact the Black community. Provide a direct link for easy donation so supporters can act immediately.

"This Black History Month, your gift supports [specific program or initiative]. Give today: [link]"

Matching gift campaigns

Encourage donations by partnering with sponsors for matching gift campaigns specifically aimed at supporting causes that uplift Black communities during Black History Month. Matching campaigns create urgency and double the impact of each gift — a compelling reason for supporters to give now rather than later.

Matching gift campaigns are especially effective through text because the message is inherently short, urgent, and actionable. A text like "Every dollar matched today — double your impact for [program]" pairs well with the immediacy of SMS. When you have a corporate sponsor willing to match gifts, promote the match window through a series of texts: an announcement, a midpoint reminder, and a final-hours push. This cadence mirrors the drip strategies outlined in our donation message templates and keeps the campaign top of mind throughout the matching period.

4. Calls to action

Not every engagement text needs to be a donation ask. Invite supporters to take other meaningful actions that advance racial justice and equity.

Advocacy campaigns

Use text messaging to mobilize supporters for advocacy campaigns related to racial justice, equity, and policy changes. Include links to petitions or guides on how to contact legislators. Text is particularly effective here because of its immediacy — when a vote or deadline is approaching, a well-timed text can drive action within minutes.

"This month, we're calling on our community to [action]. Here's how you can get involved: [link]"

Volunteering opportunities

Send texts about volunteering opportunities with organizations that work toward racial equality and support Black communities. Include specific dates, locations, and sign-up links to make it easy for supporters to commit.

Volunteering drives are particularly well suited to text outreach because they require fast, logistical communication — when, where, what to bring, how to sign up. A well-timed MMS with a compelling photo from a previous volunteer event plus a one-tap sign-up link removes friction and makes it easy for supporters to say yes. Follow up the day before with a reminder text to reduce no-shows.

5. Cultural celebrations

Celebrate achievements, contributions, and culture. Share messages that honor the people and history behind the month.

Highlight Black art and literature

Share texts that celebrate Black artists, musicians, writers, and creators, including links to virtual galleries, readings, or performances. Celebrating these artists and writers is a great way to highlight their accomplishments and contributions to society — and it gives supporters something to engage with beyond your organization's own programming.

Music and film recommendations

If your organization's goal includes educating about Black history, particularly through music and film, consider these approaches:

• Recommend films, documentaries, and music celebrating Black culture
• Provide links to specific artists or other online resources
• Share a hyperlink to a video or a playlist featuring Black artists

An MMS with a powerful image and a short message can be especially impactful for cultural celebration texts.

6. Engagement and feedback

Two-way conversation builds deeper relationships with your supporters and shows that you value their perspective.

Interactive quizzes and polls

Engage your audience with interactive content such as quizzes about Black history or polls on topics related to racial justice. Use text messages to collect responses and encourage supporters to reply — opening up a dialogue about these important topics and issues.

Feedback requests

Ask for feedback on how your organization can better support racial justice initiatives or improve its programming related to Black history and culture. This signals to supporters that your commitment extends beyond a single month and that their input shapes your strategy.

7. Resource sharing

Position your organization as a trusted resource hub, not just a fundraising channel.

Educational resources

Provide links to educational materials, reading lists, and resources for further learning about Black history and current social issues. Curate lists that connect directly to your mission area so the resources feel relevant and purposeful.

Support resources

Share information about mental health, legal aid, and other support services for Black community members. Text messaging serves as a direct line of communication — especially valuable for reaching people who may not actively seek these services on their own.

Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) maintain directories and culturally competent resources specifically for Black communities. Sharing links to these types of resources positions your nonprofit as a trusted advocate, not just during Black History Month but throughout the year.

Best practices for Black History Month messaging

• Center respect and authenticity. If your organization doesn't have a direct connection to the communities being celebrated, consider amplifying the voices of those who do rather than inserting your brand.
• Substance over signaling. Supporters can tell the difference between genuine engagement and performative marketing. Lead with education and action.
• Sensitivity review. Have someone from the community review your messaging before sending. What reads well to an internal team may land differently with supporters.
• Year-round commitment. Black History Month messaging should reflect an ongoing organizational commitment, not a once-a-year gesture.
• Measure and iterate. Track which message types generate the most engagement — educational content, event invitations, fundraising appeals, or resource shares. Use that data to shape your February campaigns in future years and to inform cultural-moment messaging throughout the rest of the calendar.
• Coordinate across channels. Text messages work best as part of a multichannel approach. Pair your SMS campaign with social media posts, email newsletters, and blog content that go deeper on the same themes. The text drives immediate attention; the other channels provide the depth.

Timing your Black History Month text campaign

Planning is essential. Do not wait until February 1 to start thinking about your Black History Month campaign. Outline your messaging calendar in December or January, align it with any events your organization is hosting or participating in, and pre-schedule messages where possible.

A strong cadence might look like:

• Week 1: Launch with an educational text introducing your organization's BHM theme and a link to resources.
• Week 2: Share a compelling story tied to your mission. Follow up with an event invitation.
• Week 3: Send a fundraising appeal connected to a specific program. Use a matching gift if available.
• Week 4: Close with a call to ongoing action — a volunteer opportunity, an advocacy campaign, or a commitment to year-round engagement.

This pacing avoids message fatigue while keeping your organization present and purposeful throughout the month. It also gives you natural points to A/B test subject lines, MMS versus SMS, and different calls to action.

By integrating Black History Month themes into your text messaging campaigns, you can raise awareness, educate your audience, foster a sense of community, and drive meaningful action toward positive change and equality. Approach these campaigns with sensitivity and a genuine commitment to supporting Black history and culture — and your supporters will respond in kind.

For more seasonal messaging ideas, see 13 ways to use nonprofit SMS and our donation message templates.

Power your cultural engagement campaigns with momoGood

Black History Month campaigns require timely, respectful messaging that reaches the right supporters at the right moment. momoGood Messaging gives your nonprofit the infrastructure to run segmented, multichannel campaigns for cultural observances and community engagement throughout the year — not just February.

• Mass SMS and MMS: Send educational content, event invitations, and fundraising appeals to your full subscriber list with texts delivered at 2,000+ messages per second via dedicated short codes.
• AI Message Composer: Draft culturally relevant, on-brand messages in minutes with AI-assisted composition — so your team spends less time writing and more time connecting.
• Smart Segments: Use Donor Scoring and Smart Segments to target supporters by engagement level, giving history, and location — ensuring your BHM messages reach the people most likely to act.
• Smart Send Times: AI-optimized delivery ensures each message arrives when individual supporters are most likely to open and engage.
• Full compliance: Built-in TCPA and 10DLC compliance so every message meets regulatory requirements.

Ready to build a year-round cultural engagement strategy? Book a demo or explore the momoGood Messaging platform.