Elon sophomore Alivia Johnson
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“For me, Black History Month means recognizing the achievements, accomplishments, culture and history of Black people.”
Who is a Black figure that inspires you?
“A Black figure that is important for us to recognize is Ruby Bridges. Ruby is a civil rights activist and has always advocated for equality. Her story is an important one to recognize because she was the first Black child to attend a previously racially segregated school.”
Elon sophomore Jordyne Lewis
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“To me, Black history means celebrating the culture and the history that Black people have had in America over the years and just celebrating the struggles, the successes, celebrating the good, the bad, the ugly, and really just thinking about the contributions that Black people have had to society and the beautiful things that we brought — like culture, different food, music, style and art. I think it’s a time to really reflect and look back on where we’ve come from as well as how far we need to move forward and continue working.”
Who is a Black figure that inspires you?
“A Black figure that inspires me is my mother. My mother is one of the most hardworking people that I know. She’s so kind, she’s sincere, she sticks to her morals and her values, and I really admire that. She pushes me to be a better person every single day and shows me what it means to be a true Black woman.”
Elon freshman Hallel Capelle
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“Black History Month proves that people like me built, resisted, led, and created, even when the system stacked against them. If they can endure and rise, then I can do that too. I owe it to myself and them to move with discipline, purpose, and pride every single day. Go Black history.”
Who is a Black figure that inspires you?
“My mom, because she is everything to me.”
Elon sophomore Rheanna Scott
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“Black History Month is a time where Black people in America get to be recognized, even those that have passed our time and all the good work that they have done for us. It’s also the celebration of everyone that does something that pertains to the Black community. So it's not just Black people, but anyone who contributes to the community as a whole in a positive way.”
Who is a Black figure that inspires you?
“A Black figure that has inspired me a lot is my granddad because he is self made. He has been working for himself since he was a teenager and he just embodies what a real Black man and a Black person should be like. He provides for his whole family by farming and I think that’s very enlightening because it shows how independent and successful you can be without having to be under everybody else.”
Elon sophomore Lauren McCowan
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“If I could put a word on it, it would be ‘reflection,’ but if I were to put it in a phrase, it’d be a ‘time of reflection and celebration.’”
Who is a Black figure that inspires you?
“Kerry Washington. She plays Olivia Pope in “Scandal” and her role in “Scandal” is very powerful. She stood as inspiration for a lot of Gen Z and millennial Black females who aspire to work in the government or public affairs. And because that is what I want to do in the future, she right now is inspiring me.”
Elon sophomore Tristan Lee
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“Black History Month says a lot of importance about the kind of come up of America and the Black history that the country was built upon and a lot of the impacts that the Black community has had on not only just regular culture, but American culture.”
Who is a Black figure that inspires you?
“Barack Obama and just how he carries himself. First Black president and that’s very obviously important historically. He has a very culturally important presence.”