It is time to celebrate! Black History Month is a celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing our role in America. Created in 1926, as a week-long celebration in February, due to that being Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s Birth month, becoming a month-long celebration in 1976.
The Black community has many inventors like: Marie Van Brittan Brown, who was the creator of the first home security system, Sarah Boone, for her improvements of the Ironing Board, and Judy W. Reed, for improving the design of the “Dough Kneader and Roller.”
Barack Obama the First Black President of the United States, also known as 44 for being the 44th President, was a major lift for the Black community, he changed the narrative, and this made all of us proud to say the least. Then in 2021 the world changed again with diamonds and pearls, poise, style, and grace, ushering in Kamala Harris our first Black Woman Vice President of the United States.
The Black community has made and created many things that have also been stolen and unrecognized, but we must believe that no matter how our history is overlooked and forgotten by some, we have made a mark in America’s history, and nothing can change the truth.
We must teach our children about our history and encourage them to make a difference and continue to change the world. We as a community have so much to be proud of and we do have positive examples no matter how the world view tries to change that.
This month and every month be intentional about supporting Black owned businesses and take some time to read Black literature, and support Black films and Art. Even though this is only a month-long celebration, make it a lifestyle and keep the momentum going all year.
I am going to kick of my month by visiting Goody Gourmets for the best popcorn the city has to offer and watch my favorite movies, Hidden Figures (2016), with Taraji P. Henson, Something the Lord made (2004), with Mos Def, Selma (2014), with David Oyelowo and Self Made, the Madam CJ Walker story (2020) with Octavia Spencer.
Whatever you decide to do this month, remember that we will continue to change the narrative and be recognized and credited for our work and we will continue to excel in the areas that we were told would never be.
Black History, my history, your history.