“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ruby Bridges, James Joseph, Valerie Thomas, Dr. Edward James II—have you heard these names? Did you read about them in school? Every year, for one month only, people of color are recognized for their accomplishments, for their contributions to their country, for the history they helped create.
Philanthropist, professor, author, & former ambassador to South Africa, James Joseph was an adviser to 4 presidents and worked closely with the late Nelson Mandela. He spent decades fighting for equality and social justice. #BlackHistoryMonth #MagnifyGood @CFR_org @nhpfoundation pic.twitter.com/cop4Or8SSC
— MagnifyGood (@MagnifyGood) February 28, 2021
While names like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks resurface frequently throughout Black History Month, figures not directly tied to civil rights and slavery remain largely unknown. People of color have made and are continuing to make strides in our society. Black people fought for freedom and national security, sent the first man to the moon, and invented modern day products we take for granted like home security systems. This is just the tip of the unspoken accomplishments people of color have made.
Dr. Lisa Merritt is the Founder/Executive Director of @1MHI_Team, a nonprofit focused on health inequities. Recognized by multiple organizations locally and nationally, Dr. Merritt is dismantling pervasive health disparities one patient at a time. #BlackHistoryMonth #MagnifyGood pic.twitter.com/cEMdqx3fzQ
— MagnifyGood (@MagnifyGood) February 17, 2021
Without Black inventors, engineers, reporters, artists, and diplomats, the world would not be where it is today. And yet, we as a society do not recognize that. Erasure of people of color from history breeds ignorance and stagnation. For progress to continue, recognition needs to be given. Not once a year, but every day.
Black history should not be celebrated for just one month out of the year. Black history should be baked into who we are as a society and what we do. It should be taught in schools. Not just the history of slavery, but the accomplishments of innovators, leaders, and changemakers. While understanding discrimination and generational trauma is important, Black history is more than that. Just as we learn about Bill Gates, Neil Armstrong, and Stephen King, so too should we learn about Roz Brewers, Mae Jemison, and Maya Angelou.
Engineer, physician, and former @NASA astronaut, @maejemison was the first woman of color to travel into space. She’s pushed society to recognize how much women and members of other minority groups can contribute if given the opportunity. #BlackHistoryMonth #MagnifyGood pic.twitter.com/VpVdpDV76X
— MagnifyGood (@MagnifyGood) February 8, 2021
We need to reach a higher place as a culture and recognize innovators of all colors 365 days a year. We need to uplift leaders and changemakers of color in our local communities too.
For example, Janine Lee, President and CEO of Southeastern Council of Foundations, encourages philanthropic collaboration and insights transformational community change. With over 27 years of local government experience, Marlon Brown is making history as Sarasota’s first black city manager. And Mary Braxton Joseph is an Emmy Award-winning television journalist and documentary filmmaker who has paved an impressive legacy of racial education and cultural understanding.
President of @thesaacc and founder of @newtownalive, Vickie Oldham creates conversations about how we can work together to accomplish positive change. Her work has led to Sarasota’s Newtown becoming a part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. #BlackHistoryMonth #MagnifyGood pic.twitter.com/8M9KvbRPeb
— MagnifyGood (@MagnifyGood) February 4, 2021
As a society and community, we should magnify the good our neighbors are doing. By doing so, we not only educate, but provide much needed representation. We need to do better so that our young ones can dream bigger.
