“Black History means being proud of your heritage. It means being an inspiration to those around you with your actions. This month is a time dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the many contributions African Americans have made to the fabric of America. From inventions like the three-light traffic light by Garret Morgan, to Black labor used to build the White House, to participating in every war fought by or within the United States, we can see that America would not be the great nation it is without the scientific, educational, social, and other contributions of African Americans. In spite of a long history of inequity in America, Black Americans have added significantly to the greatness of American innovation and the richness of American culture—and that is worth remembering, acknowledging, and celebrating.
As a Black woman, Black History is my everyday life. With a Black husband and 2 Black sons, I constantly think about America’s history and present relationship with race and the future we aspire to create to ensure that Black women, men, and children are truly as free and safe as the Constitution promises. I bring that mission to work with me every day as I collaborate with leaders, allies, and community organizations to ensure that we learn from our past to create a brighter future of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
