February is Black History Month, a time to highlight and celebrate the incredible legacies and achievements of Black communities. While Black history should be taught, learned, and honored every day, this month puts a special focus on leaders and innovators who have all too often not been given the recognition they deserve in the pages of American history books.
Now is the time to remember the countless contributions of Black Americans to our society. Black History is American History, and the lives and works of Black Americans are a fundamental part of the fabric of our country.
Black history makers come from every generation and walk of life. They span from Langston Hughes to Maya Angelou, Harriet Tubman to John Lewis, Muhammad Ali to Serena Williams, George Washington Carver to Katherine Johnson, W.E.B. Du Bois to Bayard Rustin, Marsha P. Johnson to Laverne Cox, James Baldwin to Audre Lorde, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to President Barack Obama, and so, so many others. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Dr. King delivered his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech. While Dr. King and other civil rights leaders would marvel at the great strides this nation has made, the quest for fully realizing racial justice and equality continues on.
We encourage our communities this month to attend in-person and virtual events that honor the richness of Black history. For example, here are five ways to celebrate Black History Month here in the Boston area. Newton Community Pride is hosting a number of Black History Month events. And in Gloucester, the Cape Ann Museum is offering a number of all-ages activities around the Black Experience on Cape Ann.
For those looking for great reading materials this month and beyond, the Boston Public Library has released its annual “Black Is…” list of books published in the previous year for all ages concerning the African American experience.
At Fenway Health, our mission is to advocate for and deliver innovative, equitable, accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education. We center LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities to enable our local, national, and global neighbors to flourish.
This Black History Month and every day, Fenway Health honors and thanks the many people of color who are integral to our community, from staff members to patients to donors and volunteers.