Dear Black History Month connoisseurs,
As you know, many organizations are holding celebrations for Black History Month. In addition to these traditional events, I encourage you to try something different. I encourage you — in your personal life, and especially in your professional life — to do something meaningful and measurable that will make long-lasting systemic change. Be transformative and not performative.
“What can I do?” is a question I often hear, so I’ve prepared the following list to illustrate how you can honor Black History Month in 2024. The theme is simple: celebrate Black History Month and do something to change the narrative.
Black History Month 2024 action plan
From February 2024 to February 2025, here’s what you can do:
1. Personally increase the amount of money you spend with Black-owned businesses by 100%. If you live in Minnesota, please use this resource to locate Black-owned businesses. The statement, “I can’t find Black-owned businesses” should not be used as an excuse in 2024 (or ever). At the end of February 2025, how many new Black-owned businesses did you invest in?
2. Hold your employer accountable to increase the amount of money they spend with Black-owned businesses by 100%.
3. Hold your employer accountable to increase Black board members by at least 100%. If your board only has one Black board member, adding one more is not enough. In that case, strive for a 200% or 300% increase.
4. Hold your employer accountable to increase Black executive leadership.
5. Hold your employer accountable to increase the amount of money they invest with Black-owned banks, venture capital firms and money managers by at least 100%. Companies that benefit from spending from the Black community should at the very least invest back into Black-owned financial entities.
6. Hold your employer’s executive leadership accountable for sponsoring, endorsing and mentoring high-potential Black leaders in the company.
7. Hold your employer accountable for increasing financial sponsorship of community organizations and community events that support the Black community by 100%. Community partnerships cannot be achieved without financial investment in the community.
8. Hold your employer accountable to increase spending with Black media by 100%. When it comes to communicating with the Black community, Black media does it best. Invest in a partnership with Black media.
The beautiful thing about these steps is that they’re easily adaptable. They apply to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, PRIDE month, Hispanic American Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, Disability Pride Month and many other celebrations many as well.
Make this the year that you move beyond celebration and into meaningful actions that change the narrative.
