Next year we will celebrate 100 years of formally recognizing the contributions of the Black community in this country starting with Negro History Week. The celebration of acknowledging and teaching the impact of the Black people in this country began in 1926. As Black people, we knew we could not 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.”
At this time, we are confronted with the reality that our story, Black History, is being deleted from the history of the United States. If the story of our enslavement and the historic, systematic oppression is not told, the facts of the comparison of the racial wealth gap are not presented in context.
Yet, we cannot rely upon 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 is our responsibility to know our story. As we know, we have overcome amazing obstacles. When we remember what we have overcome and look at the obstacles we are currently facing, there is no comparison. We are more than conquerors. And we will continue to be successful.
Our story has not come to an end. Our story is valid whether it is 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 attorney that supports the development of strategic planning for the family that impacts multiple generations. The opportunity to help families secure the legacy and the vision that they have for the people they love is a huge responsibility for the individuals we serve. We know that through estate planning, we are strengthening communities, one family at a time. We know that a vision to build multigenerational wealth is impactful for all that are connected. We know that we are able to 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 who have been denied access for centuries. The historic disregard for equal opportunity that started being addressed in the 1960’s through legal and constitutional recognition, is now prohibited. The recent proclamations forbidding access to women and diverse communities to opportunities are not veiled roadblocks, but direct.
Yet again, we know this energy, and we have seen this enemy before. We were not defeated before and will not 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 that there is a challenge and an opportunity. I am excited about the challenge that 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 and
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.
