The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.

Alice Walker

Today marks the first day of Black History Month. This month, we are celebrating the Black achievements and histories in our country. Even Black History Month itself has a long history of being celebrated. Although it started out being celebrated informally, having more and more Black history being taught in schools, it eventually gained national attention. Event Canada and the UK have celebrated Black History Month. The celebration became official in 1976.

You can learn about the history of Black History Month here.

Black History Month was founded by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and every year they choose a new theme, a new part of Black history to focus on. This year’s theme is Black Resistance. “By resisting Black people have achieved triumphs, successes, and progress as seen in the end of chattel slavery, dismantling of Jim and Jane Crow segregation in the South, increased political representation at all levels of government, desegregation of educational institutions, the passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in DC and increased and diverse representation of Black experiences in media.” (ASALH)

Learn more about the current and past themes of Black History Month here.

At GROWW, we have been inspired by the leadership and power of Black history. We have turned to stories such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott as an incredible example of what people power can do to create change in the community. Please comment below the Black Histories that inspire you. As we build power in our own communities, we look back on the Black Resistance of the past and learn the lessons of transformational power that they teach.