Black History Month is a period of reflection, celebration, and inspiration, where we honor the achievements, struggles, and contributions of African Americans. The words of leaders, thinkers, artists, and activists from the Black community have served as beacons of hope, courage, and change. In this article, we celebrate Black History Month by sharing some famous quotes that encapsulate the spirit of this significant time, echoing the enduring messages of resilience, empowerment, and unity.
February is “Black History Month“. This celebration evolved from “Negro History Week,” a commemoration that began in 1926. Carter Godwin Woodson, an African-American historian, established the event. Its purpose was to bring awareness to the contributions that African Americans made in our country’s history. Woodson deliberately chose the second week of February for “Negro History Week” because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on the twelfth and abolitionist Frederick Douglass on the fourteenth. He felt these two men were greatly influential in the lives of African Americans.
Read these top ten famous quotes to celebrate Black History Month and be inspired!
1st Famous Quote from Carter G. Woodson
We should emphasize not Negro History but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.
Carter G. Woodson
2nd Famous Quote from Booker T. Washington
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles that he has overcome while trying to succeed.
Booker T. Washington
3rd Famous Quote from Maya Angelou
For me, Africa is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.
Maya Angelou
4th Famous Quote from Harriet Tubman
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
Harriet Tubman
5th Famous Quote from Marty Meehan
As we celebrate Black History Month, we should be grateful for the achievements they made and inspired by their legacies to continue their work.
Marty Meehan
6th Famous Quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
7th Famous Quote from Jesse Jackson
Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change.
Jesse Jackson
8th Famous Quote from Quincy Jones
Greatness occurs when your children love you, when your critics respect you, and when you have peace of mind.
Quincy Jones
9th Famous Quote from Reggie Jackson
I feel that the most important requirement for success is learning to overcome failure. You must learn to tolerate it but never accept it.
Reggie Jackson
10th Famous Quote from Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.
Langston Hughes
Black History Month is more than a commemoration; it’s a time to reflect on the journey, celebrate the progress, and inspire the ongoing fight for justice, equality, and recognition. The words of these influential figures serve as powerful reminders of the resilience, wisdom, and unity that define the Black community’s history and future. As we celebrate Black History Month, let these quotes motivate us to continue working towards a world where equality, respect, and understanding are not just ideals but realities for all.
