Black History Month is a time to recognize the extraordinary contributions of African Americans throughout our nation’s history. As we remember the past, we also honor the persistence, determination, and commitment of today’s Black leaders who champion justice and equality in their communities.

As we honor Black history in February, CLASP will feature blogs written by staff members and introduce several partners and community activists who are social, racial, and economic justice leaders. These individuals devote each day of their lives to righting the wrongs of the past and advancing a vision of economic security and racial justice.

By sharing their stories and reflecting on their current contributions, we celebrate and honor their accomplishments as a reminder of the words of historian Carter G. Woodson who created Black History Week in 1926:

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”

Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950)

2020 Blog Series

Jonathan P. Jones, MS: Commissioner of Recreation, Youth & Workforce Services

By Jonathan P. Jones, MS

Reparations: One Necessary Step Toward Black Freedom

By Darrel Thompson

African American Workers Built America

By Asha Banerjee and Cameron Johnson

LaTonya Tate: Founder and Executive Director at Alabama Justice Initiative

By LaTonya Tate

Clelie Choute: Founder of Raw Uncut Woman fights systemic barriers impacting women

By Clelie Choute

Buying My Home & Building Black Wealth—A Step Toward Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

By Parker Gilkesson

Resources

Between the Lines: Understanding Our Country’s Racialized Response to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic

Isha Weerasinghe, Yesenia Jimenez, and Bruce Wilson

Resilience and Resistance: Responding to the Moment of Now, Building Safe and Hopeful Communities

Kisha Bird

Fannie Lou Hamer and Shirley Chisholm: Civil Rights Leaders and Pioneers in the Fight Against Food Insecurity

Parker Gilkesson

The Enduring Influence of Marian Wright Edelman

Olivia Golden