Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King, Jr. 101. Although the struggle isnt over, we can all be inspired by the men and women whose courage and sacrifice have made this country a better place. Below, we've rounded up quotes from famous figures like Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, and Claudette Colvin, a pioneer of the 1950s civil rights. June is . Arthur Koestler Do you really think non-lethal force is still absolutely necessary?" Hessler yelled behind her. But get used to me. "Just don't give up what you're trying to do. "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. Every time you state what you want or believe, youre the first to hear it. Mary McLeod Bethune Mary McLeod Bethune 1875-1955 Edited by Debra Michals, PhD | 2015 The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary Jane McLeod Bethune became one of the most important Black educators, civil and women's rights leaders and government officials of the twentieth century. aid: '417745', To celebrate Black history is to celebrate American history, which is why Black History Month shouldnt be a single month. These quotes are similar to Asian heritage month quotes, Hispanic heritage quotes and Arab heritage month quotes. A people first rewards and recognition platform to I built a conglomerate and emerged the richest black man in the world in 2008, but it didn't happen overnight. A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus. -Martin Luther King, Jr. Dreams are lovely but they are just dreams. Raise a ruckus and make a change. Frederick Douglass. As black women, were always given these seemingly devastating experiences experiences that could absolutely break us. Two of the iconic leaders on this list are diseased. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us. Ava DuVernay, filmmaker and culture-shifter, 23. DuBois have fearlessly addressed pressing issues in society such as education, identity, equality and civil rights, and also presented new ideas that have helped shape the world as we know it today and made it a better place to live in. There is far more freedom and opportunity for creativity and success in enjoying discipline. Imagine the resilience and power that a person would have even when after facing prejudice and hate their whole lives, they managed to be successful. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. Love takes off the masks we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. James Baldwin, 54. targeting: { Watch us walk, watch us move, watch us overcome, listen to our voices, the sway. Eldridge Cleaver, 111. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you. Discover and share Black Teacher Quotes. All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life. Robert Smalls, U.S. congressman (1895), 44. pos: 'right_rail_3', Celebrate Black History Month throughout February 2023 with these important quotes. Im gonna be blacker today! Its my culture. "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Nelson Mandela, 24. The New Black dreams and realizes that its not a pigmentation; its a mentality. The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. Ida B. [No one says] You know what? It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people. It goes on living and working when science has dealt it what should be its death blow. Paul Laurence Dunbar, American poet, novelist and leading literary figure during the Harlem Renaissance, 53. Sojourner Truth, Related: 30 Black Americans to Celebrate During Black History Month, 26. These cookies do not store any personal information. The breakdown of the Black community, in order to maintain slavery, began with the breakdown of the Black family. It's not going to work. Here are answers to common questions about Black History Month quotes. Freedom is not a state; it is an act. But I can't accept not trying." 54. Motivational Quotes to Inspire Educators - Black Enterprise And wherever you are heading, you cannot get there by yourself. playerId: '418f3919-2bc4-401c-b9d3-37817cb742c6' div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', William Lloyd Garrison. I cant contain my excitement. Muhammad Ali glows. Impossible is potential. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Wells, 35. cat: 'education', I dont have time to feel sorry for myself. One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings. Franklin Thomas, first Black president and CEO of the Ford Foundation(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20" }).render("6ea159e3e44940909b49c98e320201e2"); }); 2. These 45 quotes from black leaders are a masterclass in learning how to believe in yourself when no one else will. Not long after that, I was Black. ]); A people without the knowledge of their past history is like a tree without roots. Marcus Garvey, publisher, journalist and political activist in the early 20th century who launched the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, 15. Its hard work that makes things happen. "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." Dont put a ceiling on yourself. Oprah Winfrey, Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another. Toni Morrison, Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. ]); You can kill a man, but you cant kill an idea. Medgar Evers, civil rights activist. I rise. Maya Angelou, world-renowned poet laureate, author, actress, playwright and civil rights activist whose career spanned half a century; Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2010, 9. Confucius, If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesnt need motivation to speed him up. About Black history isn't a separate history. "The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. . African American Quotes On Education. QuotesGram Votes: 1 Solomon Asch } Last years theme was Black Health and Wellness and the theme for February 2023 is "Black Resistance. Confidence breeds hope. . Chris Hayes I certainly wasn't seeking any degree, the way a college confers a status symbol upon its students. Vantage Circle. I just am. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. Langston Hughes, 11. Its our basic human right. Aretha Franklin, singer, songwriter and pianist, considered one of the greatest musicians of all time, 39. tag: 'mandc,motivation,motivational-quotes,teachers', In her role, Ms. Williams leads the D.C. branchs work in parent capacity building, family engagement, parent leadership development, and organizing and mobilizing. Read what Black leaders have said throughout history that uplifts us year-round. Check out all the new stuff we are adding to our products to constantly improve them for better experience. "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part. John Lewis, If you have no critics youll likely have no success. Malcolm X, If your success is defined as being well adjusted to injustice and well adapted to indifference, then we dont want successful leaders. If we are going to be part of the solution, we have to engage the problems. Dedicate yourself to a core set of values. Meet our four Black educators andsee thepowerful quotes they sharedon education and Black excellence: Genel Fowler, instructionalguideat Detroit Achievement Academy,is aDetroit native who has been a dedicated educator for more than five years in the city that raised her. "Education is one thing no one can take away from you." Elin Nordegren. Be demanding. Colin Powell, Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. Langston Hughes, There is no better than adversity. The majority of the Negroes who took part in the year-long boycott of Montgomery's buses were poor and untutored; but they understood the essence of the Montgomery movement; one elderly woman summed it up for the rest. We had no alternative but to sell to ourselves. Dapper Dan, fashion designer and haberdasher, 84. In honor of Black History Month, weve rounded up 120 inspiring quotes from civil rights iconsas well as words of wisdom from inspiring modern figures including Viola Davis, Janelle Mone, and Shonda Rhimes. Samuel DuBois Cook, 47. To celebrate Black Americans and their impact on America's history, culture, and promise, here are 175+ meaningful and uplifting quotes from Black writers, thought leaders, and trailblazers from the past and in the present: On Truth, Justice, and Democracy. What Im really praying is that we, as a people, understand that we are interdependent upon each other. All About the Racial Justice Activists' Family, 10. Martin Luther King, Jr. Education breeds confidence. }); EVENTS Get up and make them." This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. Its hard work that creates change. Shonda Rhimes, 61. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Frederick Douglass, American social reformer, abolitionist, statesman and a national leader in the abolitionist movement in the late 19th century, 64. Coretta Scott King, 6. Wilma Rudolph, 103. It raises questions about our ways of education and about the values that guide our conduct. "You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. LagraNewman, founder and head of school at Purpose Preparatory Academy,is along-time charter school leader with a proven track record of transformative academic outcomes for students. I am not a racist. 1. We want great leaders who love the people enough and respect the people enough to be unbought, unbound, unafraid, and unintimidated to tell the truth. Dr. Cornel West, A leaderis like a shepherd. ", As the ASALH website says, "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. Next, here are some activities to get yourchildren involved in Black History Month. Management Im hungry for knowledge. An all-in-one corporate gifting solution to delight your employees on every occasion & make them feel valued. W.E.B. 25 Women's Education Quotes that Prove School Matters Explore our collection of motivational and famous quotes by authors you know and love. It's an opinion. The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. 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. We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give. Vernon Jordan, Related:Everything You Need To Know About the Black American Heritage Flag, Including Its History and What It Symbolizes, 91. Boost employee engagement with this FREE guide! Don't make money your goal. Contact Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education. But what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly. "You've got to learn to leave the table when love's no longer being served." Check out the powerful quotes below, which will continue to inspire and move you. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." We write for the same reason that we walk, talk, climb mountains or swim the oceansbecause we can. Give light, and people will find a way. Ella Baker, civil rights and human rights activist who founded the Young Negroes Cooperative League, a Black economic empowerment cooperative in the 1930s, 73. Powerful Quotes from 4 Black Educators for Black History Month Faith is taking the first step even when you dont see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King Jr. Read up on the Black Americans you didnt learn about in history class. What he needs is education to turn him around. Im not worried about that. Dr. Darkness can not drive out darkness: only light can do that. A leader is not bound by race, sexuality, or profession. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If they dont give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. Shirley Chisholm, 63. I had no idea that history was being made. We are made by history. Martin Luther King, Jr. Success isnt about how much money you make, its about the difference you make in peoples lives. Michelle Obama, I had no idea that history was being made. Discover and share Educational Quotes By Black Women. Booker T. Washington, Related:In Honor of Black History Month, 30 Black History FactsYou May Not Be Aware Of, 16. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. Michelle Obama, It isnt where you come from; its where youre going that counts. Ella Fitzgerald, Character is power. Booker T. Washington, Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced, -James Baldwin, Truth is powerful and it prevails. Sojourner Truth, Freedom is never given; it is won. A. Philip Randolph, Have a vision. env: 'prod', Famous Quotes By Black Activists. I soon became a Negro. Impossible is temporary. I rise. Fromcivilrights activist likeMartin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, to Maya Angelou. Each year, theAssociation for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)the organization that founded Black History Monthprovides a new theme for the month. Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. We have to document our history. tude.cmd.push(function() { The achievements of African Americans have contributed to our nations greatness. Yvette Clarke, Black history isnt a separate history. There will be times when youll be disappointed, but you cant stop. Sadie T. M. Alexander, 78. Don't agonize, organize. Florynce Kennedy, 71. I felt that one had better die fighting against injustice than to die like a dog or rat in a trap. I am a feminist, and what that means to me is much the same as the meaning of the fact that I am Black; it means that I must undertake to love myself and to respect myself as though my very life depends upon self-love and self-respect. June Jordan, 87. "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear." I dont do Black music. Do we care to match the reality of America to its ideals? Barack Obama, 113. Black history is American history. Morgan Freeman, actor, director and producer, RD.com, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, 33. Black History Month aims to amplify Black voices. I also believe that you are what you have to defend, and if youre a Black man, thats always going to be the bar against which you are judged, whether you want to align yourself with those themes or not. History, especially in certain places, is not a dead thing. Many of these quotes are from prominent civil rights leaders and Black trailblazers. Harriet Tubman, 96. Lynnette Nicholas is a culture expert, children's media consultant, on-camera host and certified Rotten Tomatoes film critic covering the latest in Black culture, parenting, books, film, TV and faith. Powerful Quotes Celebrating Black History Month Over the years many black personalities like Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou and W.E.B. Tina Turner, 72. How have we gotten so silly, I wonder. Assata Shakur, 36. An all-in-one corporate gifting solution to delight your employees on every occasion Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Vantage Powerful Quotes From LGBTQ+ POC Writers. You look at someone like Gandhi, and he glowed. } They want rain without thunder and lightning. All rights reserved. Malcolm X, Educations purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Purpose crosses disciplines. It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people. Karyn Parsons, 70. Jonathan Kozol That reasonably intelligent and well-meaning young people are willing to call white black is a matter of concern. Vantage Circle. Speech Teaches Kids Today, Feeling Defeated? But get used to me. The great teacher inspires.William A. ideas | quotes, inspirational quotes, education quotes Black Educator "Quotes" Rock! 109. 33 Black History Month Quotes Students Should Know The staying power of these Black History Month quotes is inspiring. I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. Copyright 2020 The Afropolitan Mom. Seamless integration with your existing HCM/HRIS platform and chat tools. A people first rewards and recognition platform to elevate company culture. Related:February Is Black History Month! "You are your best thing." We all have to stand on the earth itself and go with her at her pace. Chinua Achebe, The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they dont have any. Alice Walker, Every time you state what you want or believe, youre the first to hear it. The Stride wordmark, logo and other marks referenced herein are trademarks of Stride, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Barack Obama, 32. Booker T. Washington I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. 74 Powerful Black History Month Quotes for School and Work "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." Powerful Quotes From LGBTQ+ POC Writers - Redbook When I was born, I was colored. I swear to the Lord I still cant see why democracy means everybody but me. Langston Hughes. We are the change that we seek. Unless we start to fight and defeat the enemies in our own country, poverty and racism, and make our talk of equality and opportunity ring true, we are exposed in the eyes of the world as hypocrites when we talk about making people free. Shirley Chisholm, first Black woman to be elected to Congress (in 1968) and to run for president (in 1972), 3. env: 'prod', You educate a woman; you educate a generation." Brigham Young tags: education , feminism , men , women 9206 likes Like "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." St. Augustine They could be a coworker, a boss, or even someone who speaks out against workplace injustice when no one else does. Its not meant to suggest that other lives dont matter. For me, a leader is anyone who has inspired others to lead their life in a better way. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really dont invest any energy in them, because I know who I am. Michelle Obama, I am America. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost. Arthur Ashe, 98. Top 81 Quotes & Sayings About Black Education Impossible is nothing. Muhammad Ali, 65. We had a Black Wall Street because we wasnt allowed on [the other] Wall Street. A man without knowledge of himself and his heritage is like a tree without roots. Dick Gregory, 81. In celebration of Black History Month, we are sharing 40-Thought Provoking Quotes by Famous African Americans. Rewards. I felt if I could take one lyncher with me, this would even up the score a little bit. Ida B. Most recently, I was African American. Do the best you can until you know better. Walker, 94. "I need to see my own beauty and to continue to be reminded that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beautiful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my curves, the size of my lips, the color of my skin, and the feelings that I have are all worthy and okay." (202) 289-2700, Powerful Quotes from 4 Black Educators for Black History Month, Share Powerful Quotes from 4 Black Educators for Black History Month to Facebook, Share Powerful Quotes from 4 Black Educators for Black History Month to Twitter, A Recap of NCSC23: Empowered and Energized, Creating A Culture of Belonging: A Changemaker's Story, What You Should Know About Charter School Alternative Education Campuses, Empowering Future Generations: AAPI School Leaders Making a Difference, A Rising Leader on the Importance of AAPI Month. Wells was a bridge. 85 Best Black History Month Quotes from Leaders and Change-Makers You feel like, Well, I dont hate Black people, so Im not a racist, but you benefit from racism. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC PARADE is a registered trademark of Athlon Sports Communications, Inc. Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the theme for February 2023 is "Black Resistance. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', My homemade education gave me, with every additional book that I read, a little bit more sensitivity to the deafness, dumbness and blindness that was afflicting the black race in America. RD.COM Arts & Entertainment Quotes Inspiring. The month is recognition of the experiences and accomplishments of the Black community. 2. Dreams are lovely but they are just dreams. subcat: '', Philip Randolph, civil rights activist, 15. kw: 'mandc,motivation,motivational-quotes,teachers', Explore our collection of motivational and famous quotes by authors you know and love. If one link of the chain is broken, the chain is broken. Anna Julia Cooper, PhD, author, educator, Black liberation activist known as the Mother of Black Feminism and former slave, 19.