Unsung Heroes from top left to bottom right: Elizabeth Jennings Graham, Vivien Thomas, Autherine Lucy Foster, Lt. James Reese Europe, Claudette Colvin, and Olaudah Equiano.
ARTEFFECT JOINS IN CELEBRATING
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
ARTEFFECT celebrates Black History Month by spotlighting these remarkable individuals listed below. From pioneers in civil rights and education to trailblazers in science, the arts, and beyond, these Unsung Heroes have made a positive and lasting impact on history. Learn about their stories below:
Through ARTEFFECT, educators and their students are invited to consider and creatively interpret the stories of Unsung Heroes through visual artworks and written impact statements. View the approved list of over 130 Unsung Heroes for the 2026 ARTEFFECT competition using the online directory.
ARTEFFECT Competition
Steps to Participate Step 1: Choose Your Unsung Hero
The 2026 ARTEFFECT Competition for middle and high school students is open through April 21, 2026! The first step for young artists in creating an ARTEFFECT submission is to select an LMC Unsung Hero—an individual who resonates as a role model.
The ARTEFFECT website now features an Unsung Heroes Timeline that situates civil rights and wartime Unsung Heroes in their specific time periods. Explore this interactive to learn about how these individuals made a positive, profound and lasting impact on the course of history!
Remembering the Holocaust Session Wednesday, February 18, 2026
4:00-5:15 PM Pacific Time
All educators are invited to join the next ARTEFFECT online session. Led by 2020 Nebraska Teacher of the Year and 2021 LMC Fellow Megan Helberg, this session explores best practices for guiding students in the creation of visual artworks representing stories of Unsung Heroes from the Holocaust and other genocides. All registrants will receive the lesson plan and recording. Attendees to the live session will receive a Certificate of Participation. Free to join—registration required. Learn more about the session and instructor.
