OUR STORIES TO KEEP SHINING THE LIGHT

stories and the sky god made him endure terrible tests to prove himself. Anansi eventually completed Nyan’s challenges and earned the right to catalogue and share the world’s stories.

Like Anansi, our community will have to work hard to continue in Ronnie and Adolphe’s footsteps. If we don’t devote our resources to recording our community’s achievements and hardships, our memories will evaporate when these creatives retire. We need to encourage and cultivate a new generation of photographers to share our future experiences and stories.

The Leaders Who Inspire Black History Month

It’s February! Time to kick off Black History Month. As American history, Black history should be celebrated year round. NMBLC’s 2023 New Mexico Black History Festival runs from February through September. So, let’s shine a light on three people who inspire the celebration of Black heritage. As we acknowledge these African American pioneers, we honor our Black heritage and history.

CARTER G. WOODSON, THE “FATHER OF BLACK HISTORY”

“What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.”

It all started in 1924 with a week-long celebration by Woodson’s fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. Woodson pushed to expand Black History to a month-long, national celebration.

ELLA JO BAKER, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

“Give light and people will find the way.”

Baker is the OG of community-based activism. She held key roles in the NAACP, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Like many, she espoused voting as a key to freedom.

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CONGRESSWOMAN

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

These words are the inspiration for NMBLC’s Chisholm Table and leadership conference. The Chisholm Table creates a space for Black volunteer organizations to forge alliances that further their service to Black communities.