Here's how we're honoring Black History Month. Read on to learn how you can too.

Friend,

As we kick off Black History Month, it’s hard to ignore the egregious attacks on efforts to upend systemic racism, increase racial diversity and equity, and educate people about the way race and racism has shaped our country and our history. Just days ago, as one of his very first acts, President Trump signed an executive order ending all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the U.S. federal government. But of course, this isn’t new and it isn’t just the U.S. federal government. Several prominent corporations like Target and Walmart have also rolled back their DEI programs. The move by Trump is just the latest and most glaring example of a backlash to efforts to advance racial justice, from the furor over Critical Race Theory to attempts to ban books in schools.

But no matter how hard they try, there is no denying the fact that Black history is American history. And this year Black History Month feels more important than ever. And understanding our complex racial history isn’t just important because it’s factually accurate. It is also critical to ensure that every single person, no matter the color of their skin, understands where we come from, how we got here, and why we are the way we are. Refusing to acknowledge and learn about Black, Indigenous, and other non-white people erases countless leaders, artists, inventors, and more who offer wisdom, expertise, and joy.

And without an understanding of this history, we are denying future generations the ability to actively and clearly confront the ways racism and violence against Black and Indigenous people shaped violent systems and wars, not just in the U.S., but around the world. For example, the Nazi’s infamous racial discrimination laws, the Nuremberg laws were inspired by the U.S.’s various legal efforts to oppress Black and other racial minorities like the Jim Crow laws. In her book Caste, Isabel Wilkerson highlights how Nazi leadership studied American Jim Crow laws, even sending researchers to analyze how the U.S. subjugated African Americans as a subordinate caste. While the Nazis needed no instruction on hate, they actively debated and consulted American race laws when crafting the Nuremberg Laws, struggling to understand why the U.S. did not fully categorize African Americans in the same caste-like manner. Ironically, unlike American slavery, Nazi ideology sought to protect those with Aryan ancestry, considering even partial Aryan heritage as grounds for inclusion in their racial hierarchy.

Black History Month is a time for us to reflect on the rich heritage and transformative contributions of the Black community throughout history. It allows us to take a step back and learn. And the more we know the better we can challenge the injustices that so many in the Black community face today. Injustices like the school-to-prison pipeline, which disproportionately funnels Black youth into the criminal justice system. In fact, young Black people make up only about 14% of the total population but represent 40% of juveniles who are incarcerated.

So this year in recognition of Black History Month, we are using our social media platform to share the legacies of Black leaders and movements. We’re calling it Preserve. Empower. Inspire: Building Justice with Black Narratives and Tradition in the Fight for Justice and Equity. During the month, we’ll be reflecting on the leadership of Black activists and communities in social justice movements throughout history and in the present; exploring how Black history has influenced our work and highlighting the organization’s commitment to racial justice; and amplifying the voices of Black people. Follow along all month on Corporate Accountability’s channels: Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and BlueSky.

In addition to following along, we are challenging you to learn about and honor the ways that Black people have shaped the world that we live in. Here are just a few ways you can do that:

Support the Black Collective as we advance equity and re-grant to Black-led organizations in the U.S. like:
The more funds we raise, the more we can give back to these incredible organizations -- from reparations to land ownership rights to youth-led initiatives.

Read one book by a Black author this month, here are a few suggestions:
- Kimberly Crenshaw
- Isabel Wilkerson
- Bell Hooks
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Alice Randall
- Zora Neale Hurston
- Toni Morrison

Watch one documentary that tells the story and experiences of Black communities:
Shop at one Black-owned business or eat at a Black-owned restaurant in your local community.

Onward,

The Black Collective
Corporate Accountability

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