Celebrating Black History Month

Zoë Foster Foster, Content Creator

"For me, Black History Month is a time for us to all come together to share and celebrate Black culture and all its diversity. It is all about acknowledging and learning about all the contributions Black people have made throughout history. And lastly, it’s a time to say I am proud of being part of this community.” - Zoë

Denée Noel, Certified Makeup Artist

"Black History Month means that (hopefully) those that aren’t me, who don’t have my skin color, who haven’t had the challenges that are associated with being Black, take a moment to learn to recognize and appreciate the contributions of Black people." - Denée

Titi Abiwon, Certified Makeup Artist & Content Creator  

Black History Month represents accountability and a time to honor and acknowledge the struggles and growths within the Black community. It is a time to reflect on how far we have come and to look into how much still needs to get done to get rid of the core issues that continue to face society today. Including issues of representation, racism, and diversity. As a Black creator, it is a time for me to reflect on how my creativity empowers my audience, especially the Black community, and how my efforts encourage self-confidence in others like me to embrace their Black identity and wear their skin color with pride." - Titi

Yanique Duke, Content Creator 

"As a child, I migrated to the United States from Jamaica, so like many children who are not African American, I too learned African American history in the United States school system.

African American history is taught here very differently than Black history is taught in Jamaica. In Jamaica, we learn of our rich culture, traditions, national pride, and a history that does not start with slavery which unfortunately is missing in the American school system. 

As a Black immigrant in America, I learned the struggle that African American people endured here, the triumph of the civil rights movement, and the work still necessary today. I saw the coming together of a people to fight for equality and of basic human rights. The same coming together than we saw this past year for the Black Lives Matter movement.

For me, Black History Month signifies the strength of a people stripped from their homeland, their culture, and their identities. These people who still rise despite injustice, who navigate a system embedded with systemic racism, white privilege and chosen ignorance, to create their own culture, a new identity, and most of all a will to continue in joy, creativity, and love.

Black history is more than facts and recognized figures. If you are willing to take a deep look, you’ll find the daily sacrifices of a people who should’ve withered up and faded away, but instead with the burden of racism, scorn, and injustice, stood up strong to make this place a better America for us all." - Yanique