How This Yale Undergrad Celebrates His Black History Every Day

Though Black History Month is officially upon us, I’ve never waited for February to celebrate my Blackness. I was fortunate enough to have grown up in a household where my parents and older siblings taught me Black history on a daily basis. With so much of our history lost and our cultures destroyed through transatlantic slavery and colonization, it is sometimes difficult to understand and find pride in the traditional greatness that we come from. But my parents and siblings made sure that I was always confident in who I was as a Black man and educated on the value of myself and my ancestors. And I never hesitate to spread the knowledge to others.

This is why Black History Month is so important to me. For young Black boys and girls who may struggle with self worth due to the recent marginalization of Black people throughout the world, I hope this month can help you start to discover and cultivate your value and importance. I hope this month sets the foundation for your self-esteem and confidence, to know that you come from greatness and that you can excel in any life path you choose. Confidence goes a long way, and when you are educated about your true history, you can conquer any and all obstacles that you come across.

Black History Month represents a time for our people to outwardly reflect and share our feelings about what it means to be Black, while learning and discussing the significance of our history. What is common knowledge about Black history to some may be a mystery for others. That is why it is important to use this month to educate one another about the great achievements and inventions that have come from the Black diaspora, and to combat the narrative that Black history, culture, and people have not been extremely valuable to the world at large.

This year, I’ve called on some of my best friends from Yale University to share how they plan to celebrate Black History Month.

“My Black History is less of a time to condemn the struggles of the Black community that have ultimately allowed for me to be here, and more of a time to focus on and celebrate the triumphs of my people and how I will play a role in continuing to advance this legacy.”
— Mike West

“My Black History is less of a remembrance of horrific events but rather a celebration of a culture that continues to prevail against all odds.”
— Timothy Dawson II

*“My Black History is less talking about what we can do to uplift our people and more taking action and leading by example, which leads to tangible results.”
— Michael Purvey

“My Black History is less factionalization of the various demographics that exist across the diaspora and more unification to increase our understanding and cooperation with one another.”
— Thomas Wright

“My Black History is less emphasis on the negative connotations that have been forced upon us and more appreciation of the greatness and positivity that’s often ignored or denied to us.”
— Devin Moore

“My Black History is less negativity toward Black culture and more embracement and pride in all of the great things we have done throughout history.”
— Jonah Mill

"My Black History is less about celebrating the sanitized legacies of revolutionary Black leaders and more about discovering new narratives, because liberation necessitates nuance."
— William Searcy

“My Black History is less division and isolation and more unification.”
— Tre Moore

“My Black History is less about nostalgically longing for a bygone era of civil rights and more about harnessing inspiration from that era and its heroes to protect and promote freedom and equality for future generations.”
— Austin Strayhorn

“My Black History is less disrespect of the Black woman in society and more uplifting of the Black woman for everything she has withstood thus far.”
— Michael West

“Black History gives a sense of pride of hope to me. There's just so many things that you aren't taught growing up, and when you learn about all the wonderful things Black people have done for each other and this world, it drives me to want to learn more about my culture and my heritage.”
— Malcolm Dixon

As for me?

My Black History is less economic support of companies that don’t give anything back to the Black community and more of me spending money with Black-owned businesses.