Black History Month is about looking backward and to the future
Sometimes it’s important to look back before we can move forward. Generations of our brothers and sisters have paved the way for us to walk down the street a little taller. While we have a long way to go in the fight for equality
and social justice, we often don’t celebrate our history enough, and Black History Month is a reminder to do just that.
We have been fortunate to have strong black leaders like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and so many more brave leaders that have led the way for us throughout history.
We now have a new generation of black leaders across the globe that is standing up for the rights of the black community. Here are four young black community leaders to watch and lift up this Black History Month and for many to come.
Naomi Wadler spoke on stage at the March For Our Lives Rally in Washington, D.C. last year when she was 12. She shed light on the disparity in support and reporting on young black women who have died from gun
violence.
Kenidra Woods is an outspoken 18-year-old activist for gun reform and founded the Hope for Humanity Project to raise awareness about gun violence. She also started the CHEETAH Movement to support self-harm and suicide prevention in
teens.
Isra Hirsi hopes to inspire more Muslim and Black youth to add their voices to the discussion about climate change. At 16, she is the co-executive director of the US Youth Climate Strike. She is also trying to raise awareness of
how systemic racism has negatively affected the climate.
Mari Copeny is 11 and she has been fighting tirelessly to get clean water for the residents of Flint Michigan since 2016. Even at a young age she calls out the racial disparity surrounding the
issue.
While we celebrate Black History Month in February, we should be of the mind that every month should be Black History Month because it’s where we come from. It is our roots. And the community we have built is what makes us
strong. Find ways to contribute to the growth and prosperity of your local community.
Featured Organization
Generation Chosen
Generation Chosen is a non-profit organization devoted to enhancing the emotional intelligence of young adults from marginalized communities. Generation Chosen was inspired by the lives of two black males. Dr Joseph Smith and Dr
Dwayne brown. Together they developed this program to help address areas of concern that were unique to the community and had no prior resolution.
Their goal is to support the development of those most vulnerable in our society and interrupt inter-generational cycles of poverty, disenfranchisement and trauma. They are doing that by addressing issues related to lack of
resources and community isolation.
While we look back at the legacy that has been built within our community this month, Generation Chosen is choosing to look ahead to the future of our communities.
We would love to share stories of black owned businesses who are giving back! If your business has incredible initiatives that are impacting the community in a positive way, let us know!
