We don’t need a designated program or selected date to recognize the accomplishments of Black people because Black history is American history. It's woven into the very foundation of this country, shaping all industries, innovations, and progress. However, since we are accustomed to honoring it in February, let’s take this moment to reflect, celebrate, and most importantly, ensure the conversation continues long after the month ends.
Too often, Black history is reduced to a handful of familiar names—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman—whose contributions, while monumental, represent only a fraction of the brilliance and resilience found throughout history. Black excellence is not a footnote in America’s story, it is a driving force behind its progress.
Black history is American History, consider Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire, who built an empire that empowered Black women entrepreneurs. Think of Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician whose calculations were instrumental in sending astronauts to space. Reflect on Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, or Garrett Morgan, who revolutionized traffic safety with the invention of the three-light traffic signal.
These names are not just part of Black history—they are American history. Yet, their contributions, like those of many others, are often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Black History Month serves as an important reminder to highlight these stories, but the reality is Black achievement doesn’t start on February 1st and end on February 28th. These stories should be shared, celebrated, and acknowledged every single day.
While some claim we live in a "post-racial" society, racial disparities in wealth, education, healthcare, criminal justice, and business opportunities persist beyond the idea of simply “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.” Acknowledging this truth isn’t about division, it’s about ensuring that history is told fully, fairly, and without omission.
So, how can we move beyond performative recognition and support Black history in real time?
Support Black-Owned Businesses: economic empowerment is key, choose to invest in Black entrepreneurs, creators, and those who provide service by educating beyond the basics. Seek out books, documentaries, and podcasts that explore the full depth of black history and culture. Also, acknowledging and understanding that black excellence isn’t just history, it’s happening now. Let's celebrate and uplift Black professionals, artists, and leaders making an impact in real-time.
In the end Black History is ongoing, and the recognition should be too. Black History is more than a month, it’s a legacy that continues to shape the world we live in. It’s up to all of us to choose to honor it.
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