During February, people will have the opportunity to be educated, enlightened, and inspired by the contributions of Black Americans in the development of the United States of America. While Black History is to be recognized and celebrated every day, February, historically, offers even more opportunities to explore the importance of Black Americans in the history of this country.
It is no secret that Black History is the target of a white power strategy to diminish, minimize, and eliminate the significance of Black History in America. In 2025, the National Park Service was ordered to remove signs and exhibits in U.S. national parks that referenced the history of slavery. Recently the exhibit titled “Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation” was removed from Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. In 2025, the U.S. government ordered the removal of the memorial to Black American soldiers who fought in Europe during World War II that was located at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands. No, doubt, the assault on Black History is a clear and present danger.
This is why it is imperative to illuminate examples of how Black folks are still “getting it done” despite the continual attacks. The fact of the matter is the Black experience in America has been a four hundred year challenge, yet Blacks still stand today with an unwavering resilience against bigotry, hate, and discrimination.
Consider the work of Dr. Ed Hightower, a former school superintendent and college basketball referee. In 2024, Dr. Hightower initiated the “Venice Revitalization Project” in Venice, Illinois, a community that has lost significant jobs and population over the last 20 years. A new elementary school opened in 2025, a new grocery store is scheduled to open in 2026, and there are plans for a medical center and affordable housing. In addition to securing funding for the project, it is reported that Dr. Hightower invested over three million dollars of his own money.
Another example is that of Corenza Townsend, the Chief Administrator Officer at Norton West Louisville Hospital located in Louisville, Kentucky. Over eight years ago, when she was a nurse manager, she pitched the idea to the powers that be of a new hospital in the predominantly Black West End neighborhood. The project was approved, and today, she is the chief executive officer of the hospital.
Recently an exhibit titled “The Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs” opened at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The exhibit is a repository for artifacts from HBCUs including Clark University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University, and Tuskegee University. This effort to preserve history, and other efforts like it, provides clear proof that Black American History will never be erased.
In conclusion, Black Americans are here. They have been here a very long time using their intellect, knowledge, creativity, compassion, and the blessings of a Divine Spirit to navigate a society that often has difficulty being respectful and inclusive. From their first steps on this land, Black Americans have sought freedom, fairness, and equal opportunity. It has been a four hundred year journey with many trials and tribulations; but also a journey with so many successes and accomplishments. We must never lose sight of these accomplishments, which brings us back to the importance of Black History. No other people have suffered as much, yet still rise to the challenge everyday. That is the history that has to be preserved and appreciated.
Black folks are still “getting it done”. The History tells us so.
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