Google Kicks Off Black History Month Programming With Hip-Hop–Themed Doodle
Google is rolling out Black History Month programming across Search, Play, TV, YouTube, Chrome, Meet, Maps, and Arts & Culture in the US throughout February. The campaign is anchored by a hip-hop–themed Google Doodle featuring a custom beat by Detroit rapper, singer, and producer Illa J.
A Google Doodle sets the tone for Black History Month
Google launched the campaign with a Doodle music video focused on the mechanics of hip-hop beat-making, using one of its most visible entry points to set the tone and route users into related experiences.
The rollout extends into Google Play and Google TV through curated hubs featuring apps, games, books, and programming tied to Black history, Afrofuturism, and cultural icons.
The company says the effort spotlights Black creators, developers, and businesses through prominent placements that influence discovery, attention, and purchasing behavior.
Black Visibility Across Google
Google framed the effort as part of its ongoing work, pointing to initiatives like the Chrome Black Artists Series, Black History Month backgrounds in Google Meet, stories in Google Arts & Culture, and tools to help users find Black-owned businesses through Search and Maps.
The campaign arrives after Google Calendar removed default references to Black History Month and other cultural observances last year. After users noticed their absence across desktop and mobile apps, Google said maintaining hundreds of cultural moments globally was not scalable, and reverted Calendar to showing only public holidays and national observances by default. Users can still add other events manually.
Image credit: Google
