Black History Month

February is Black History Month and that means it's time to look backwards and celebrate the contributions, creations, and ideas of black communities across the world. But it’s also a time to look forward, paving the way for future, black generations. 

Mojang Studios is proud to be part of this celebration and is constantly seeking ways to build a better world with less inequity and prejudice, and Black History Month is no exception! 

Black History in Minecraft Education

Back in 2020, Minecraft Education released the Lessons in Good Trouble series, which allows players to step into pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement and discover their own power to create change! 

Created together with educators Natasha Rachell and Felisa Ford, Lessons in Good Trouble aims to teach students about standing up for what’s right, and about many important historical civil rights defenders such as John Lewis, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Recently, Minecraft Education hosted a webinar with the CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation to celebrate the release of an updated version of Lessons in Good Trouble and to help students learn even more about the courage and activism that shaped our world!

Supporting The Cxmmunity

The Cxmmunity Foundation is a non-profit on a mission to bridge the digital divide and create equitable pathways into the gaming, technology, and esports industries for students in underserved communities. They provide students with hands-on career exposure, mentorship, and technical training to prepare them for future careers in gaming and beyond. 

Using the Minecraft Education build, “Battle of the Boroughs”, The Cxmmunity Foundation created a challenge for their students, where they were to redesign New York City. The purpose was to propose solutions that would improve life for residents in the participating students’ neighborhoods, boroughs, and the city overall.

A future endeavor is the "Reimagine Atlanta: A Connected, Equitable & Sustainable Future” event where students will use a detailed Minecraft map of Atlanta, to design solutions for the city's future in 2040. Their focus will be on creating green infrastructure, inclusive public spaces, and advanced technologies that promote connectivity, equity, and sustainability, ensuring all communities are included. To further support The Cxmmunity Foundation’s work, Mojang Studios will be donating game codes to use for future build challenges! 

Celebrating diversity brings societies together, and we hope that you will take part in our celebration, or come up with your own, unique way to highlight black history, wins, and contributions!