I love February.
Not only is it a relief to know I made it through January (see previous post), but it’s also Black History Month. Oh, and let’s also not forget that it’s the month of loooovvveee (imagine that being said in my Luther Vandross voice).
Black History Month is February’s main attraction in my eyes. Other than the obvious reasons that I get to celebrate my culture a bit harder than what I normally do, I get to celebrate who I am, those who paved the way for me and interesting tidbits of history that I wasn’t taught in anybody’s grade school, middle school, high school or college.
For example, did you know a black woman created the first sanitary pad? Yep, Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner. I actually learned that from Instagram and verified it through Google (the innanets are truly undefeated). Did you also know that a black woman invented the ironing board? Me either! Sarah Boone was also one of the first African American women to receive a patent in United States history. Did you know that Bessie Blount invented an electric self-feeding apparatus to help amputees feed themselves? She bad. I could go on!
These are facts that never showed in my history books in school. Nor were they readily available and resting at the tips of our fingers like most news is today.
Black History Month is a movement. While most Black people try to keep a celebratory mind frame when it comes to their immediate circle of family and friends, February gives us another reason to be loud, proud and unashamedly Black about everyone else too. I literally almost started a business meeting with, “Welcome everyone and Happy Black History Month!” (I still might, just because.)
Thankfully, I work for a company where I get to celebrate Black culture year-round because I lead our African American employee resource group. For those not working at major corporations or companies, these groups are often the backbone around building effective people and culture environments. Everyone wants to feel celebrated and recognized for who they are and not marginalized to who mainstream America expects them to be.
At Gap Inc., we kicked off a campaign called, “I am Black and _______” where you fill in the blank. I loved this idea because oftentimes, Black people are grouped into the “don’t you all do X” category. But in actuality, we are so multi-faceted. This campaign was created to show the intersectionality and diversity of Black culture. I am Black and all these other things: writer, daughter, friend, relationship builder, lover, stylist, Believer the list goes on. To know Black culture is to know that it can’t be pigeon-holed into one point of view. We are a multifarious people, deep in hue, rich in history and saturated with style.
Businesses are finally catching on and including representation on their sites, with their products and more consistently in their marketing. I’ve vowed to not shop a brand where I don’t see anyone who looks like me in their marketing or their stores. Here are some brands who are doing it right this month:
- Target– they came bigger and better with their Black History Month apparel this year. I snatched up several pieces and was told they sold out quickly after that. They even highlighted some of the Target team members who helped bring the product to life. Nice touch Tar-jay!
- Banana Republic – in addition to their True Hues campaign which targets nudes for every skin tone, Banana Republic jumped on the scene with their “Color-Full” campaign to honor Black artists and the culture creators in various arenas of the world. They also focused on two amazing artists in their BR Presents: No Boundaries storytelling and I think you will be extremely inspired by their stories. Chinaka Hodge gave me chills.
- Levi’s – a surprise to me, Levi’s has #blackgirlmagic and #blackboyjoy on their home page to celebrate Black History Month. They also did an in-depth interview as part of their Off the Cuff series with Black employees about what this month means to them. For those looking for new jobs, it’s this type of cross-cultural exposure that makes true talent take notice.
- Google – if you have been living under a rock, you may not have seen Google’s Most Searched commercial. It almost produced a tear from me. It’s a highlight reel of our awesomeness.
These are just a few. There are many other brands getting behind Black History Month. They want Black dollars and they want Black support, as they should. For those of you who identify as Black, what is your “I’m Black and _______” statement? For those who are not Black, what will you do to celebrate Black heritage this month?
Leave a comment and let me know!
