Feb. 1 marks the first day of Black History Month, and suddenly the study of the Black experience may feel like an act of defiance.

President Donald Trump will sign a proclamation on Saturday recognizing February as Black History Month, despite his efforts to whittle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives out of the federal government.

The Trump White House issued a proclamation Friday recognizing February as Black History Month around the same time the Defense Department issued guidance declaring “identity months dead.”

Gerald Ford in 1976 became the first president to issue a message recognizing February as Black History Month. Since then, presidents have made annual proclamations marking the month as a celebration of Black history, culture and education.

Ryan, the White House correspondent for The Grio, asked Karoline Leavitt at this term's first press briefing whether Black History Month is still on in a second Trump administration. The answer was unclear,

Leavitt made her debut taking questions on Black History Month plans, revealing Trump's team "intends" to celebrate American history.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented a new policy that effectively ends the observance of cultural awareness months, a move that has left many in Jacksonville, particularly military personnel and local leaders,