About The Designer

Farouk Seti Olajuwon

My name is Farouk Seti Olajuwon, and I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For twenty years, I have researched, studied and analyzed Black History Month, trying to find innovative ways to help improve Black History Month celebrations. I was born in Clarendon, a small town in Arkansas. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where I graduated from Douglass High and attended Greater Amani Church and Christian Center. While attending the University of Minnesota I became President of the Black Student Union and Program Director of Black History Month. During this time I designed the symbol that is now called the Official Black History Month Logo (1986). The logo was an instant hit, and its popularity continues to grow.

I have enjoyed every year of my work with Black History Month. It's a beautiful thing, as people seem to be at their best. It became clear to me, however, that we needed to improve our celebrations, and find something to get us all on one page. I thought that something like the logo could bring us together by imprinting a uniform face on Black History Month. It can connect all our activities nationally and internationally. I hope to modernize and revolutionize Black History Month distributing collectible posters and other innovative products throughout our world.