Identity is not only a personal journey. It’s also historical. What we learn about our people shapes what we believe about ourselves.

Black history includes joy and genius, and it also includes the realities that tried to distort Black worth.

But identity doesn’t come from distortion. It comes from the truth: community pride, cultural influence and the unshakable ability to create meaning even in the harshest conditions.

Today we honor the power of identity which is shaped by history, strengthened by self-knowledge and carried with intention.