come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.
- Lucille Clifton, “won’t you celebrate with me”
I love Black History Month. If you don’t know the story of how Black History Month came about, I’ll give you about 60 seconds to go read about it and then come right back. I love Black History Month because it gives everyone a dedicated time of year to reflect on the positive contributions that Black people have made over the years. I love Black History Month because it makes me think about how proud I am of my people and how far we’ve come all the way from being oppressed by that “peculiar institution” called slavery in this place called America.
I also love Black History Month because it reminds me of how far we still have to go in this country in terms of race relations and giving everyone a fair chance to take part in the “American Dream.” How far we still have to go before Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of social justice and economic opportunity for everyone will be realized. Fortunately, there are countless leaders out there who are continuing to address so many aspects of social change.
This month (inspired by Wayne Sutton), I’ll be highlighting 28 Black nonprofit leaders who have done or are doing their part to make our world a bit better, a bit more hopeful for the generations that will come. No original interviews, just photos; bios; videos and links to their amazing work. Every day, I’ll showcase a different leader. I hope you’ll tune in and share this series with your colleagues!
Photo credit: bermy onionpatch
Hi Rosetta,
I love reading through your 28 Days of Black Nonprofit Leaders!
I know you’re out there in D.C. rocking the nonprofit world, but there’s a downright incredible exhibit here in Los Angeles at the California Science Center until May 2nd called ‘America I Am; The African American Imprint.’ Check out the exhibit’s website: http://www.americaiam.org/Pages/Home.aspx, click the “explore the online exhibit” link and tell me you don’t get goosebumps. It’s a million times better in real life– It’s beyond powerful.
It moved me to tears with stories of strong and influential folks (well known and unknown) working for social change with no monetary profit at all. I wanted to mention it because I think it fits well with this post, and I wanted to spread the word in case any of your readers are in L.A.
Thanks for your continuing to share stories of these leaders!