Every February we celebrate the contributions and achievements of African Americans while honoring the legacy of so many changemakers. We also take this opportunity to further educate ourselves about the journey it took to get our country to where it is today and the work that is yet to be done.
What began in 1926 as a week-long commemoration, spearheaded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, has now evolved into a month-long observance. Each year, Black History Month has a theme and this year’s theme is “resistance.” This explores how “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings.” The recent murder of Tyre Nichols is a painful reminder of the progress to be made and how we have a long way to go.
The beautiful thing about our country is its diversity – this is what makes us so great. I often say to my children, “think about how boring life would be if everybody looked the same, acted the same, and thought the same things.” All of our lives are enriched because of the many contributions African American people have made to our society. The communications industry is also using its platform to amplify these voices. The PepsiCo Foundation and Doritos SOLID BLACK will soon be announcing the 2023 winners from its “Black Changemakers” grants. This is a new philanthropic program that highlights Black community leaders and nonprofits. One of last year’s winners was an industry professional who used the grant funds to extend her support of a local nonprofit with a mission to strengthen community development, access to education, and economic opportunity for youth in South Los Angeles.
In honor of Black History Month, PRSA is recognizing black voices in public relations and communications that have worked hard throughout the years to make our industry so great. The organization also provides a variety of resources on its website to support inclusion and DEI in the workplace.
Throughout the year, BOCAteers participate in a monthly donation matching program where team members can donate to a specific organization and BOCA will match their donation. For February, we have selected the NAACP, the largest civil rights organization in the United States. The NAACP does amazing work to fight racial inequality and we are proud to support it. This month and every month we say ‘thank you!’ to all of the African American people who have shared their stories, their experiences, their talents, their wisdom and their struggles with us. Our country is better because of you.