Happy Black History Month!
I’m Black all year but in the month of February, we dedicate extra time, support, and love to Black America.
For centuries, American religion and law allowed our ancestors to be tortured and considered less than human. Our contributions were only seen as free labor although our ancestors literally built the country brick by brick and were the foundation of the United States economy.
White America has stolen, hidden, and cheated Black History. For decades, American history books said our only role in history was as slaves. In recent years some school systems added in the civil rights movement. Today, the privileged want to completely lie about the brutality of slavery and forbid their children from learning about the horror their ancestors inflicted on humans from Africa. The ridiculous outcry of the dangers of critical race theory, the expanding mainstream platform for white supremacy, and the brutality we experience in the streets and in the boardroom continue to try to strip us of our humanity.
I am my ancestor’s wildest dream!
Sometimes I pause and think about how I arrived here. I am a college-educated entrepreneur and homeowner whose ancestors were kidnapped from their homeland, shackled and taken on a horrific voyage across the ocean in disgusting conditions, separated from their culture and spirituality, denied basic family bonding and connection, and forced into centuries of back-breaking, soul-crushing free labor. My ancestors learned to read despite American laws that made it illegal. Black America survived slavery, segregation, Jim Crow, redlining, voter suppression, nepotism, predatory lending, the Ku Klux Klan, police brutality, crack cocaine, gentrification and so many other societal ills to become educators, inventors, politicians, doctors, authors, and lawyers. We dominate in sports. Our beauty, music, and culture are emulated all over the world without praise or recognition.
Although many would like to turn back the hands of time and some ways have succeeded, still we rise – together!
We will not be silenced or erased or hidden! We are a people who thrive and not just survive. We will not be denied. Our lights shine too brightly to be dimmed.
I am proud to declare that I AM Black History!
Nicki Sanders, MSW, ushers high-performing women of color in mid-level social work and human services leadership through promotion to senior leadership. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams. She is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. Nicki is a lover of cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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