Black History Month is a month to commemorate African Americans that made a difference in our history. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks are two of the most common people that we recognize for their heroic acts. Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, stated that we all have to walk together. When there would be days that he saw that no one would be judged based on their skin color; we were all equal. Rosa Parks was a woman that stood her ground and did not let someone treat her differently because of her skin color. She showed great courage when she would not give up her seat to a white person and great courage when she served one night in jail. Stories like these have been told to our children, siblings, and elders. Many more showed acts of braveness and courage in difficult situations.

    Edgar Nixon is known as the forgotten hero. Nixon was the mastermind behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He planned a system that would stand up to racial segregation in 1955. The plan was to boycott the buses and be able to sit wherever they pleased instead of abiding by the rule of giving up a seat to a white person. Nixon was arrested along with many other brave people. The Montgomery Bus Boycott is what ended bus segregation.

    Dr. W.E.B DuBois was a man that made a name for himself and would surely be recognized in our history. When he was a teenager in high school, he was able to see the problem of racism. DuBois was a gifted student with a high GPA, and upon his graduation, he along with many others wanted to attend Harvard. Due to financial issues he did not go to the university. However, he received a scholarship to Fisk College. He became a writer, editor, and orator.  After his graduation from Fisk, he entered Harvard where he received his master‘s degree in philosophy and history. In 1895, he was the first African American to earn a Ph.D from Harvard.  In his later years, he became one of the co-founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

    Bessie Coleman was a woman that made a stand and knew she would leave her mark, not only as the first African American woman to become a pilot, but that she made her dream a reality. Coleman had to learn leadership at a early age so her mother could work in the fields to bring money into their household. She attended Langston University in Oklahoma. Due to financial issues, she only lasted a year. She moved back home to live with her brother. In 1920, she moved to a place of her own and she discovered a passion to become a pilot. Coleman did her flight training in France where she received her Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (international pilot’s license).

    These are just a few of the African Americans that did not sit around and get labeled by the color of their skin. They each had a passion, whether it be a belief or a dream. They all have their names in our history. They’ve shown acts of perseverance, courage, and belief in what was right. And for that… they will never be forgotten.