Minnesota Valley Transit Authority’s Post

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: What we should know Answering key questions about BLACK HISTORY MONTH What is? Black History Month is celebrated to recognize and honor the significant contributions and accomplishments of African Americans. It's a way to highlight their achievements in various fields such as art, science, literature, and civil rights. It's important to learn about and appreciate the diverse history and culture of different communities. Who did? Carter G. Woodson! He was a remarkable African American figure who made significant contributions to the study of black history. Woodson is often referred to as the "Father of Black History" because of his efforts to promote the study and recognition of African American history and culture. In 1926, he established Negro History Week, which later evolved into Black History Month. Woodson believed that understanding and celebrating black history was crucial for African Americans to gain self-esteem and for society as a whole to appreciate the contributions of African Americans. His work has had a lasting impact on how we recognize and honor black history. Others? There are so many influential African American figures who have made a lasting impact. One notable figure is Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who played a key role in the advancement of equality and justice. Another is Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. And let's not forget about Maya Angelou, a renowned poet and author whose words continue to inspire. These are just a few examples, but there are countless others who have made significant contributions in various fields. When? Black History Month is celebrated in the month of February. It's a time to honor and recognize the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It's a great opportunity to learn and appreciate the rich and diverse history of the African American community. Why? Black History Month is celebrated to recognize and honor the achievements, contributions, and struggles of African Americans throughout history. It's a time to highlight the rich heritage, culture, and resilience of the African American community. By dedicating a specific month to black history, we can raise awareness, educate others, and promote inclusivity and equality. It's an opportunity to celebrate the progress made and also reflect on the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality for all. WHY? Black people, like any other group, have diverse wants, needs, and aspirations. It's important to remember that individuals within the black community have different perspectives and desires. However, some common desires among black people may include equality, justice, respect, representation, and the opportunity to thrive in all aspects of life. Happy BLACK HISTORY MONTH ♻️

As we wrap up Black History Month, this roundtable hosted by the Sierra Club serves as the best reminder that Black history is American history, meaning we can highlight it all we want in the month of February, but we must acknowledge and appreciate it throughout the entire year, and we must address the racial inequities of our current reality every day. I'm working in the field of sustainability at this juncture of my life, and previously I was in education. And wouldn't you know it? Both industries are dominated by white priorities and were historically set up systematically to support white supremacy. And I'll bet if I pivot to another career field, I'll find the same thing. The beauty and challenge of #BlackHistoryMonth is to reflect on the narratives that shape our history and our present day. It is hard and painful work, but it is necessary to continuously improve our selves and our society. Some great resources to move beyond the one-off events of Black History Month include: 🎙 Listen to "Beyond Black History Month," a podcast by Femi Redwood that dives into Black culture and addresses issues that continue to marginalize the Black community . 👨🎓 Actively and publicly fight the policies that purposefully remove Black history from our students' curricular resources. As a former teacher and principal, I cannot fully express my outrage and disgust at what is happening across our country to remove Black history from the classroom. 👗 Shop with businesses who have taken the 15% Pledge (nonprofit Fifteen Percent Pledge asked businesses to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned brands in order to reflect the Black 15% of the population) - stores who have already taken the pledge include: Nordstrom, SEPHORA, Macy's, Ulta Beauty, Rent The Runway, Vogue, Madewell, Crate and Barrel, Gap, Athleta, Bloomingdale's, J.Crew, and many others! # Follow #BlackTikTok on social media to interact with Black-owned businesses and communities. 📚 Research the history of your industry as well as their year-round efforts to promote and include Black participation and leadership - look closely at hiring/promoting practices and trends, not just the events they hosted during February. 💲 If you're in the non-profit world, check on how often Black organizations and leaders are receiving funding. Crystal Hayling challenged my thinking on this during a recent event hosted by The Solutions Project when she asked how many Black-led organizations are receiving the money, not just how many organizations are receiving the money and giving it to Black communities, but how many Black leaders and Black non-profits get the grant money to use within their own communities? 🤔 Be intentional and thoughtful about who you are and how you might be perceived. This is something I am constantly working on. 😊 Be nice. Be inviting in your workplace.

❤️🖤💚💛 Happy Black History Month! I AM BLACK HISTORY! Today I pay homage, appreciation and gratitude to my ancestors journey so that I can experience the multitude of opportunities I have taken advantage of in my 41 years of living. 😭 Their blood, sweat, tears, fears, beatings, lynchings, boycotts, marches, being hosed down, raped, murdered….and so forth just so that we BLACK people could receive the same rights as whites people. Rights, yeah right. 😭 The equality that we were suppose to be born with under the Emancipation Proclaimantion. The damn 40 acres and a mule that we never received. The restitution that we deserve…at least the bare minimum of wiping out every BLACK persons student loan debt so that we can get a fresh start toward financial freedom. 😭 Under Biden/Harris many of us may have had our student loan forgiven, but IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOR EVERY BLACK PERSON FOR A FRESH START AND TO RECEIVE A LITTLE FINANCIAL RELIEF POST PANDEMIC. 😭 Yes freedom, it is 2024 and we BLACKS still aren’t free. We are still experiencing many of the events our ancestors experienced, but now it is being recorded and filmed across the world for everyone to see. 😭😭 IT IS 2024 AND BLACK WOMEN ACROSS THE WORLD AREN'T BEING VALUED, PROTECTED AND APPRECIATED. 🙏🙏🙏🙏 ❤️🖤💚💛 Once you see it you cannot unsee it. Once you see it you must do something about it. You white AND Global Majority community must take action! I believe in the slogan “see something, say something!” I believe in the slogan, “We do better when we ALL do better!” I know my ancestors are proud! It is decades later and I have inherited their resilience, which is a generational survival trait. As a strong advocate for change I will ALWAYS use my 🗣 🗣🗣 for change! I will not go with the status quo and will remain a radical revolutionary! 👏🏿 👏🏿 👏🏿 ❤️ SO, HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN FEBRUARY AND 365? 🖤 HOW ARE YOU INVESTING IN BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN FEBRUARY AND 365? 💚 HOW ARE YOU DIVERSIFYING YOUR PHILANTHROPY PORTFOLIO TO SHARE THE WEATH AND PROVIDE FUNDING TO MORE BLACK LEAD NONPROFITS? 💛 HOW WILL YOU INTENTIONALLY SEEK OUT AND PROVIDE MORE STATE/CITY/GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS TO BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS? #BlackIsBeautiful #blackhistorymonth2024 #blackexcellence #blacklivesmatter #blackhistory365

February is Black History Month, and there are many ways to honor it, but they can all be summed up in one word: SUPPORT. Support Black authors by reading their work, Black business owners by purchasing their products, and Black women by making sure their voices are heard. We can all take more time to learn about Black history, hurdles, experiences, and perspectives. Ask questions and listen to understand, not respond or debate. We may be about halfway through February, but there is still plenty of time to support the Black community by making these things a habit to continue year-round. Check out the link below for 8 great ideas to honor Black History Month and let me know what your favorite is! #BlackHistoryMonth #TuesdayThoughts

For Martin Luther King Day 2024, we are proud to announce our theme for this year: “Afro-Futures of Giving!” From its roots, Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) has been a beacon of empowerment and community finance traditions, shaping a brighter future for Black communities worldwide. For 2024, BPM is activating contemporary Afro-futurism to help our Movement throughout the US and worldwide imagine and co-create a more powerful future for Black giving and community finance in general. We are asking all community and sector leaders, as well as our allies, to use Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day, to start answering three Afro-future prompts for the year-round BPM season. Don’t wait for August. Respond to this nee theme today with your vision of an ideal future for Black giving and/or social finance. Answer these questions. 1. What factors are driving the future of Black giving and social finance to promote wellness, equity, and justice in Black families, institutions, and communities? 2. What are three concrete actions that you will take as a change agent in your family, community, workplace, and/or other affiliations during 2024 to increase the chances that your vision of a Black Giving Future comes to fruition over the next five years? BPM and partners will be by your side, providing tools over the next 8 months to map, celebrate, and share your Black Giving Future. 🛠️🎉 Complete our Black Giving Futures Survey at https://lnkd.in/eT5sBQ2N. For more information about our 2024 theme, Afro-Futures of Giving, visit our website at blackphilanthropymonth.com. Together, let's tap into our collective power of hope, self-love, and mutual support to change the course of history—again. 🌟❤️ #BPM2024 #BlackPhilanthropyMonth #BlackPhilanthropy #AfroFuture #AfroFuturesofGiving #BlackFunding #MLKDay

Not only is August Black Philanthropy Month, it’s also National Black Business Month. In addition to highlighting black philanthropy I’ll also be highlighting 2 black-owned businesses daily. Here are 5 reasons why Black philanthropy is essential and why every American should invest in its success: 1.) Addressing Historical Inequities 2.) Promoting Economic Empowerment 3.) Enhancing Community Resilience 4.) Setting a Precedent for Inclusive Giving 5.) Driving Social Change Supporting Black philanthropy is not just a moral imperative for black individuals; it’s an investment in our nation's future. By championing Black philanthropy, we commit to a future where equity and opportunity are available to all, creating a stronger and more cohesive nation. Let’s recognize and support the powerful impact of Black philanthropy, ensuring that these vital efforts continue to flourish and drive the change we all wish to see. Let's start exploring each of these reasons in detail over the next 5 days, beginning later today and sharing some starterling statistics in the process.

🌍 We need to shine a spotlight on the transformative power of Black philanthropy. Let's acknowledge the impact of giving within Black communities worldwide, a force driving positive change and fostering resilience. The impact goes far beyond monetary contributions; it's about uplifting voices, creating opportunities, and building bridges towards a more equitable future. 🔍 Digging deeper into the roots of Black philanthropy, commitment to community-led solutions is evident. It's about recognizing that those closest to the challenges hold the key to meaningful change. From grassroots movements to impactful initiatives, Black philanthropy stands as a testament to the strength found in collective action. Let's amplify these stories and continue to foster a culture of giving that empowers communities. 🖤 In the spirit of Black History Month, let's not just reflect on the past, but actively contribute to a future where Black philanthropy plays a central role in shaping a more inclusive and compassionate world. #philanthropymatters #impact #blackhistorymonth

Hey, fam! It's Black History Month, and it is a time to celebrate and reflect on the immense contributions that Black Americans have made to our society, often while facing tremendous oppression and injustice. Throughout history, Black leaders, innovators, artists, and change-makers have shaped American culture and advanced civil rights causes. From Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman in the 19th century fight against slavery to Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks in the 20th century Civil Rights Movement to modern-day activists and thought leaders—Black history is American history. This month, I encourage my nonprofits to explore ways they can better serve and empower Black communities. This includes reviewing internal policies and procedures through an equity lens, educating staff on implicit biases, diversifying leadership, and developing programs and services that specifically target and uplift the Black community. My hope is that nonprofits continue to have these difficult but necessary conversations about racial justice beyond just Black History Month. Because Black history did not end in February—Black excellence is a year-round reality. The ongoing struggle for equality calls each of us to sustained reflection and continuous action. I am proud to guide organizations trying to create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments. This mission has never been more critical, and there is still much work left to do. Black History Month reminds us how far we’ve come, but also how far we have to go to achieve Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community. The nonprofit community must lead the way. Here are some suggested hashtags that could be included with the LinkedIn post about Black History Month from a nonprofit perspective: #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #BlackExcellence #BlackJoy #BlackLeaders #DiversityandInclusion #EDI #Nonprofit #Philanthropy #RacialEquity #RacialJustice #SocialImpact #SocialJustice #AmplifyBlackVoices #BlackFutures #Changemakers #RepresentationMatters

It’s easy to be drawn in by clever new ideas brought by someone who looks, talks, thinks and moves like you do. We must all challenge ourselves to look deeper, listen harder, and push outside of our comfort zone. Do the work of building meaningful relationships and trust. Read the full article, "Four Things Philanthropy Should Do Differently This Black History Month" on Inside Philanthropy here: https://bit.ly/494li73

As we step into Black History Month, it's more than just a time to say "Happy Black History Month." It's an opportunity to reflect, learn, and amplify the voices and stories that shape our shared history. 📖🤝🏽 I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by the richness of black and brown cultures—immersed in the music, the food, and the stories that have become an integral part of my journey. For me it's not just a celebration; it's a recognition of the struggles, triumphs, and enduring spirit that define black history. ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 This month, let's go beyond the surface. Let's be curious about the narratives that aren't always in the spotlight, amplifying the voices that are sometimes unheard but carry immense wisdom. Let's make a commitment to understanding the struggles and triumphs that have shaped the black experience. 🌟 But let's not stop there. A genuine celebration involves action. Let's support black businesses, uplift black communities, and contribute to causes that empower and bring about positive change. Let's make it more than a month of acknowledgment; let's make it a lifetime commitment to equality and justice. 💙🌐 In the spirit of unity, let's turn this month into a catalyst for lasting change. Together, we can build a future that truly honors and celebrates the mix of experiences that make us stronger. 🌈✨ https://lnkd.in/guK6X-aG #BlackHistoryMonth #AmplifyBlackVoices #SupportBlackBusinesses #Equality #InclusionMatters