Celebrate Black History Month with us

As February is coming to an end, we’d like to take a moment to honor Black History Month! This past year, the Black Lives Matter movement has touched people all around the globe.

We’d like to recognize four amazing Black figures for their achievements and contribution to our society. Their work and perseverance inspired other African Americans to fight racial discrimination and injustice. 

First, we’d like to recognize Maya Angelou! She was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Angelou is best known for her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, where she discussed her early life as a Black woman.

The coming of age story inspired other African Americans to find strength and hope in a society that felt hopeless.

During the Civil Rights Movement, Angelou worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fighting for justice and equality. Her work has received many awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts and Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Next, we have the first African American baseball player to play in the American major leagues: Jackie Robinson!

Robinson made history when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Although many were against an African American man playing in the MLB, Robinson focused on his love for the sport instead of the racial discrimination.

He was awarded Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the Most Valuable Player in 1949! Off the field, he was passionate in advocating for racial equality and was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

Katherine Johnson was an American Mathematician who contributed to many scientific discoveries, and advancements. Being one of the first African American women to be a scientist at NASA, Johnson paved the path for many women who desired a career in STEM.

One of her most notable achievements is calculating the trajectories and flight-paths for Apollo 11, sending the first man to the moon! In 2015, President Obama awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Lastly, the civil rights movement wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of Ella Baker! Baker was an African-American activist and community organizer during the Civil Rights Movement.

She is best known for her leadership style and advocacy for grassroots activism. She later joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) where she and Martin Luther King Jr. navigated the civil rights movement across the south. 

These individuals are just a few among many other Black Americans that have influenced society. The fight for equality continues in 2021 as discrimination continues to exist. The power of one person’s voice can have a huge impact! 

At StoreyLine, we will continue to empower and amplify Black voices to create change. Stay tuned for our next blog post where we’ll share a guide of resources to support Black Americans.