Next year we will celebrate 100 years of formally recognizing Black community contributions in this country, starting with Negro History Week. The celebration of acknowledging and teaching Black people’s impact in this country began in 1926. As Black people, we knew we couldn’t rely on anyone else to show us our value. With the massacre in Tulsa as an attack on Black economic development, we faced the truth of Frederick Douglass’ words in 1857: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
Today, we are confronted with the reality that our story, Black history, is being deleted from U.S. history. If the story of our enslavement and historic, systematic oppression isn’t told, the facts of the racial wealth gap aren’t presented in proper context.
Yet we can’t rely on someone else to tell our story. We must continue to build our narrative. As a Black woman whose parents were educators, I grew up understanding the great importance of knowing our past. My mother, who taught Black history, further affirmed that it’s our responsibility to know our story. We have overcome amazing obstacles. When we remember what we have overcome and look at the obstacles we currently face, there is no comparison. We are more than conquerors, and we will continue to be successful.
Our story hasn’t come to an end. Our story is valid whether it’s told or hushed, and we have the responsibility of continuing to build our history and our legacy. Individually and collectively, we are building our story and transforming the world for ourselves and others.
Life and Legacy Counselors is an estate planning law firm that supports the development of strategic planning for families, impacting multiple generations. The opportunity to help families secure the legacy and vision they have for the people they love is a huge responsibility. We know that through estate planning, we are strengthening communities, one family at a time. We know that a vision to build multigenerational wealth affects all who are connected. We know that we can strengthen our heirs, whether they are legally or biologically connected or love-related.
We are experiencing blatant opposition to providing access and opportunities to diverse communities that have been denied access for centuries. The historic disregard for equal opportunity that began being addressed in the 1960s through legal and constitutional recognition is now prohibited. The recent proclamations forbidding access for women and diverse communities aren’t veiled roadblocks but direct ones.
Yet again, we know this energy, and we have seen this enemy before. We weren’t defeated before and won’t be defeated now. Thriving in the face of adversity, inequity, racism and sexism is what we have had to do for centuries and will continue to do.
Whenever there is a crisis, we know there is a challenge and an opportunity. I am excited about the challenge we face. I am excited about the renewed commitment to our mission and purpose. I am excited that we will continue to stand with the lyrics of the Black National Anthem:
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on ’til victory is won.
