In honor of Black History Month, it is important to commemorate historical Black figures who fought bravely for their rights in this country and to recognize current activists who have made modern history. On that note, here are some prominent Black figures who are changing the world today.
Kamala D. Harris
As today’s Vice President and Senator of the United States, she has been fighting for the people since serving as the District Attorney of San Francisco and Attorney General of California. Harris worked to bring people together to advance opportunities and protect fundamental freedom across the country, shaking up the patriarchy of the government.
In her speech as the first woman vice president-elect, she shares: “With the new generations of women in our country who continue to fight for their right to vote and be heard–while I am the first woman in the office, I will not be the last,” empowering women and girls to stand up.
Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett
Kizzmekia S. Corbett is an immunologist for the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and was the lead scientist behind the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Corbett has over 15 years’ worth of experience studying a multitude of different viruses and spent six years researching possible causes of the infamous Coronavirus. Thanks to her effort, Corbett was able to create the Moderna vaccine in a short two days after the initial virus was discovered, ensuring the safety of multiple lives.
At an event held by the National Urban League, Dr. Anthony Fauci asserted that “the vaccine that you’re going to be taking was developed by an African-American woman, and that’s just a fact.”
Victor J. Glover
Victor Glover is a NASA astronaut who became the first black man to live and work at the International Space Station (ISS). Prior to becoming an astronaut, Glover had worked as a pilot for the U.S. Navy, where he had flown over 40 different aircraft in 24 combat missions. Most recently, Glover has served as the pilot of the Crew-1 dragon spacecraft, named Resilience, and was dispatched on NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon.
“It is bittersweet because I’ve had some amazing colleagues before me that really could have done it” Victor Glover had told The Christian Chronicle, regarding his achievement as the first black man to work at the ISS.
Glover continues “I wish it would have already been done, but I try not to draw too much attention to it.”
Ron Oden
The elected mayor of Palm Springs, California in 2003-2007, Oden became the first openly gay African American man elected of any U.S. city. Oden championed embracing the diverse LGBTQ+ community and Palm Springs’ past, further leading the first LGBTQ+ majority in the City Council.
On Desert Sun, Jay Calderon, a photojournalist, interviewed Oden regarding what he would say if he were to speak directly to young gay African Americans; to which he replies, “That we are Americans. We are a part of this country by blood, by effort, and by history. And we have the responsibility and the privilege to participate in every level of government.”
Nicholas Johnson
In 2020, Nicholas Johnson was named the first black valedictorian in Princeton University’s long 275-year history. Johnson had treasured his experiences at Princeton University and cited the support he received from Princeton to be one of the reasons this achievement was even possible. As of recently, Johnson has continued his Ph.D. studies in operations research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall of 2020.
“Being the first Black valedictorian in Princeton’s history feels incredibly empowering, in particular given the university’s historical beginnings and its ties to the institution of slavery.” Nickolas Johnson tells CNBC Make It, regarding his feelings about making history.
Johnson elaborates “The fact that today we have a Black valedictorian goes to show how much work has been done, but also how much work still needs to be done.”
Amanda Gorman
A young poet, author, and activist, Amanda Gorman became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history at the age of 22. Gorman recited her poem, “The Hills We Climb” calling out to the Americans to “rebuild, reconcile, and recover” from the inequalities and racial injustice that are deeply rooted across the nation.
One of her famous quotes from her poem goes as follows: “There is always light. If only we were brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Jason Wright
In August 2020, Jason Wright became the first black president of the Washington Football Team, along with the youngest one as well. Prior to his current position, Wright had spent seven years as a running back for the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals. Wright has vocalized his goals going forward as the new team’s president as fixing most of the harmful practices embedded within the franchise’s culture such as preventing allegations of sexual harassment and leaving behind the team’s former racist name.
Wright, however, didn’t pay any mind to the fact that he was the first black NFL president as he would tell Good Morning America “The fact that I happen to be black and the most qualified person for this is a boost.”
