Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. February commemorates the impactful Black leaders of our past and shines a spotlight on our everyday heroes, as we reflect on eventful moments and celebrate the people who continuously strive for justice and compassion.
In honor of Black History Month this year, United Way of South Central Michigan staff and board members shared their thoughts on what Black History Month means to them as leaders within their communities, and what it means in terms of UWSCMI’s vision for impact in terms of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We recognize that historically and presently, UWSCMI is not reflective of our greater community in terms of race and ethnicity. We’ve committed to changing that and more – by listening, learning and changing to build a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture, and by becoming a stronger, more effective advocate and partner in dismantling inequitable systems.
Merry Donn, Annual Giving Associate & Union Steward
Being a woman of white privilege, Black History Month is a time for me to learn and as a leader, educate those who do not understand racism and white privilege. Mostly it is a time for me to learn and reflect and see how I can change my thoughts and actions to be a part of the solution and not the problem. I think that this is what our vision is for EDI – for people to learn, understand and relate to Black history – so as not to repeat, but to empathize and relate!
Chris Sargent, Chief Executive Officer
From my perspective, Black History Month is an opportunity to learn about the significant history, culture, achievements and contributions of Black and African Americans in our country’s history. It both celebrates and acknowledges the impact on and within the experience of Black people.
Black History Month aligns with UWSCMI’s vision as we seek to learn, engage, support and lift up the value, engagement, leadership and contributions of our Black community. For us the month is an opportunity to highlight Black history all month long leading to an extension all year long. It helps us learn, heal and commit to being anti-racist.
Chris Tyler, UWSCMI Board Member
To me, Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect, remember, and celebrate the countless contributions of Black Americans throughout our history while also recognizing that our work toward creating a more just and equitable society is far from complete and history continues to unfold around us in the present.
Taking the time to remember our shared history gives us the opportunity to remember the lessons we’ve learned from it and use those lessons to inform our efforts to create a better, more equitable, diverse, and inclusive society now and in the future.
Robin Ross, Community Investment Associate
It’s an opportunity to learn more about Black history, uplift Black voices and to spotlight those who have made a difference in our culture and history. United Way of South Central Michigan is committed to change by listening, learning, and building a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture.
Alyssa Stewart, Chief Impact Officer
I embrace the opportunity to focus in on Black leaders, history and accomplishments AND dislike that it is encapsulated in a month instead of being truly integrated into our media, education systems etc. year-round. I wish our history was not centered on white systems of oppression 365 days a year. Until it is, the opportunity to center Black voices, creators, history for a month may still be necessary. I believe UWSCMI seeks to center BIPOC voices throughout the year and in every layer of the work we do.
Maryann Louney, Data Associate CRM
I am so thankful for the educational opportunities this month brings to all. Society still does not recognize the generational inequality many people of color have faced. I would like to think that we could work on improving equity every month of the year.
Bob McConnell, UWSCMI Board Chair President
An opportunity for recognition, awareness, education and appreciation for the contributions and history of Black Americans. Our EDI commitment in UWSCMI’s vision should be strengthened by an appreciation of Black History and how historical practices and biases have fostered inequity and exclusion and resulted in disparate impacts in education, employment and economic opportunity for our Black Citizenry. As agents of change, it provides an opportunity for UWSCMI to level the playing field through the infusion of appropriate programs, practices and strategies to facilitate better outcomes for Black Americans.
Rebecca Fleury, UWSCMI Board Member
Black History Month is a time for all community members (of all ages) to reflect on, and recognize the contributions and impactful historical moments of Black people and their culture. It is a time to learn new things and do all we can to right injustices that still exist. This month is a time to educate ourselves and our personal and professional circles on ways to reflect and lift up the Black people of our community.
UWSCMI’s vision for impact on EDI directly correlates to Black History Month as an action item to learn new things, align our work with EDI goals and work together in community to right injustices that still exist and imbed an equity lens in decision making at all levels. It also recognizes our fundamental mission to not repeat injustices in service to the Black ALICE populations we serve.
Jen Hsu-Bishop, Chief Equity Officer
To me, Black History Month is about listening deeply and learning from the past. It’s an important time to both celebrate Black success, joy, and resilience AND learn how anti-Black racism have impacted our communities and continues to impact our neighbors, friends, and family. I can never truly understand, but I can commit to learning and using that knowledge to take action all throughout the year.
Black History Month events shine a light on the historical inequities that remain today. It’s critical to our work at UWSCMI that we are in deep relationship with those who have been negatively impacted by racism and inequity because community members are best positioned to know what their communities need. This is the only way we can ensure that every person is valued, thriving, and connected for the common good. And, when we say every person, we mean every single person, inclusive of the racial diversity of our community and inclusive of our Black neighbors, friends, and family.