As you have probably already realized, it is Black History Month. Without the influence from black culture, society would not be the same today. They have made huge advancements in fashion, technology and human rights. Here’s some background on how February became Black History Month; it originally began in 1926 as “Negro History Week”, which was created by an African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher named Carter G. Woodson. In 1976 the week long celebration took over the whole month of February because that is when Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays are. 

Here are a few quotes from influencers of black culture:

George Washington Carver said: “When you do common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”

“My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family and self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will,” wrote Jack Trice.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style,” said Maya Angelou. 

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” Martin Luther King Jr. said. 

Barack Obama said, “The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.”

“Then again, what seems like nothing in the eyes of the world, when properly valued and put to use, can be among the greatest riches,” Christopher Gardner said.

Oprah Winfrey said, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have you will never, ever have enough.”

“My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what I think or of my opinions,” said Eartha Kitt.