We often get caught up in celebrating this month with our most recognizable black leaders but did you know that Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1969? Then in 1972 she was the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Her campaign slogan: Unbought and Unbossed. This is remarkable especially since we are celebrating our first female, first Black, first South Asian Vice President Kamala Harris! A great reminder to never give up!
Most of us know Rosa Parks but did you know that Claudette Colvin was a brave 15-year-old who chose to not sit at the back of the bus in Montgomery Alabama in 1955? She was the first woman to be detained for her resistance.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is credited for the March on Washington in August 1963. But did you know it was Bayard Rustin who organized and strategized the march? He did most of his work in the shadows because as a civil rights leader compounded with living as an openly gay man he was considered too much liability to put on the front lines. Bayard continued his work in civil rights, nonviolence, and gay rights.
Our work is not done and may never end since representation, identity and diversity is an ever-evolving and infinite learning opportunity. Looking Glass will continue our work in providing our invaluable services to our youth, our families, and our community. We will not allow ourselves to be exhausted, exasperated, or defeated in the work of breaking down social injustices. We will continue to focus our work on removing barriers, being creative in our solutions, and ensure culture and diversity help shape our decisions to provide positive impact and opportunities for everyone!
Join us in celebrating black history this month! We challenge you to continue the work of embracing and celebrating diversity well beyond February.
Resources:
Celebrate Black History Month 2021
Talks to celebrate Black History Month