02/01/2022
Today is the first day of Black History Month here in the United States. Though history has been the focus since Dr. Carter G. Woodson laid the foundation for the month in 1926, Black History Month should also be a time to think about our community’s future.
And just like our history as a community relied on Black women, so does our future.
Black women show up and achieve often in the face of insurmountable odds. We create space for everyone and empower others to show up fully in every area too. We deserve acknowledgment and praise for our excellence, resilience, and ability to get things done no matter what. Unfortunately, that rarely happens.
Take the premature backlash against President Biden's potential nomination of a Black woman to the Supreme Court as an example. Before Black women even ascend to positions of power, people assume we will be lesser or undeserving. Then, once we claim a spot at the table, those same people treat us like we don't deserve to sit down at all. In the process, they completely ignore that we had to source the wood and hand carve the seat we now occupy.
The truth is that everyone reaps the benefits of the work of Black women, often taking advantage of our knowledge, time, generosity, and creativity, without giving any credit, acknowledgment, or gratitude. The entire world has progressed thanks to the struggles of Black women to secure civil rights for everyone. Yet those acknowledgments in our everyday life are sorely lacking.
I refuse to let negative sentiments like the ones concerning President Biden’s nomination hijack the conversations we should be having this Black History Month. Conversations that remind to feel proud of black women, confident in the futures we will create together, and unashamed as we navigate treacherous terrain to get there.
So this Black History Month, I am calling on all of us to compliment Black women.
The Compliment A Black Woman Challenge
The challenge is simple. Every day, for the 28 days of February, participants pledge to compliment a Black woman with their words, money (by purchasing from a Black woman-owned business or donating to a cause focused on Black women), or time (by offering their time or services for free).
The challenge is open to anyone who would like to participate. The Black women you choose to compliment can be anyone from the past or living today. The only requirement is to make these compliments publicly by sharing them on social media under the hashtag .
In doing so, we can remind the world that black women deserve appreciation, love, and respect. Not just for being magical, but for our generosity and ability to remain courageous in the face of discrimination and disrespect.
Will you join me?
P.S. To help with the challenge, I've put together a few social media templates for you to use to get the ball rolling. (See below). I look forward to seeing your compliments this month. I'm at on Instagram.