February is Black History Month, where all month long, we recognize the triumphs, contributions, and legacy of Black Americans in U.S. History. But between you and me, we know that Black history is made every day, and thus should be recognized every day.
Unfortunately, that is not the America we live in.
From the rapid spread of book bans across school districts censoring literature that highlights African American history and racial identity to a concerted effort on Capitol Hill to thwart legislation that provides easier access to the ballot box for Black communities, our history is under constant threat of erasure.
So, as you notice corporations and public figures proclaim to celebrate Black history with performative gestures, remember that this month needs to be about more than just the celebration of firsts and only’s.
To honor Black history means to create opportunities for it to continue to be made. And that goes far beyond the 28 days of February.
As one of the pinnacles of African American history, NAACP is committed to ensuring that the legacy of the Black community in this country continues to thrive.So, no matter how many roadblocks we face, we will continue to advocate for voting rights legislation. We will continue to clear the path to quality education by awarding Black students with scholarships for college through our N-SPIRE program. We will continue to create opportunities for growth and scalability for Black entrepreneurs by providing funding, grants, and resources through our Black-Owned Business Resource Center on Hello Alice.
And come February 26 at 8 pm ET, we will celebrate Black excellence at the highest level at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards live on BET.
We’re doing our part to make sure Black history is made every day. Will you join us?
