BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2022: GALLERY

Dr. Mae Jemison
First African American Female Astronaut

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”

Martin Luther King Jr.
American Minister, Activist, Civil Rights Leader

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

W.E.B. DuBois
Sociologist, Author, Civil Rights Leader

“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.”

Thurgood Marshall
First African American Supreme Court Member

“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”

Coretta Scott King
Author, Activist, Civil Rights Leader

“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.”

Susan L. Taylor
Journalist

“Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us.”

Carol Moseley-Braun
Politician, Lawyer

“Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.”

Franklin Thomas
Activist, Philanthropist, Former Ford President

“One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.”

Desmond Tutu
Cleric, Theologian, Human Rights Activist

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”

Langston Hughes
Poet, Novelist, Social Activist

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.”

Frederick Douglas
Social Reformer, Abolitionist, Writer, Statesman

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

Colin Powell
Politician, Diplomat, Retired Four Star General

“Have a vision. Be demanding.”

A. Phillip Randolph
Labor Unionist, Civil Rights Activist, Politician

“Freedom is never given; it is won.”

Booker T. Washington
Educator, Author, Presidential Advisor

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

Jesse Owens
World Record Setting Olympic Athlete

“We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.”

Rosa Parks
Civil Rights Activist

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.”

Ella Fitzgerald
Jazz Singer

“Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

Mary McLeod Bethune
Educator, Philanthropist, Humanitarian, Activist

“If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything… that smacks of discrimination or slander.”

Muhammad Ali
Professional Boxer, Activist, Entertainer

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

Nelson Mandela
South Africa's First Black President

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

Maya Angelou
Poet, Memoirist, Civil Rights Activist

“The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”

Sojourner Truth
Abolitionist and Women's Rights Activist

“Truth is powerful and it prevails.”

Michael Jordan
Professional Basketball Player, Owner, Businessman

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”

Barack Obama
First African American President (U.S.)

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

Earl G. Graves Sr.
Entrepreneur, Publisher, Businessman

“Hold on to your dreams of a better life and stay committed to striving to realize it.”

Claudette Colvin
Nurse Aide, Civil Rights Pioneer

“I knew then and I know now, when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it.”

Michelle Obama
Attorney, Author, Former First Lady

“One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.”

Malcom X
Muslim Minister, Human Rights Activist

“You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist, Planetary Scientist, Author

“If the only time you think of me as a scientist is during Black History Month, then I must not be doing my job as a scientist.”

Ava DuVernay
Filmmaker

“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.”

Oprah Winfrey
Talkshow Host, Producer, Author, Philanthropist

“Every time you state what you want or believe, you’re the first to hear it. It’s a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don’t put a ceiling on yourself.”

Shonda Rhimes
Television Producer, Screenwriter, Author

“Dreams are lovely but they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.”

Jackie Robinson
First African American To Play In MLB

“Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.”