I salute you

As we celebrate Black History Month

My forefathers and mothers… the nameless slaves, who suffered but did not bow

I thank you for paving the way, those whose shoulders I stand on today and glimpse a better and brighter path. So much more liberties to achieve however so much gained because of you: Arthur Mc Dermott, Robert Shaw, Marcus Garvey, Marian Anderson, Frederick Douglass, George Washington Carver, Jackie Robinson, Shirley Chisholm, Madame C.J Walker, Malcolm X, Bessie Coleman, Booker T Washington, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr, Thurgood Marshall, Katherine Johnson, John Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Hank Aaron and so many countless more….. I salute you!

Your memories will always be cherished

Your fortitude and strength we celebrate

Your wisdom and knowledge we acknowledge

Your tenacity has brought us as a people a long, long way

Thank you for leading the way!

Thank you for laying down your life…

Blood Sweat and Tears it sometimes took.

Your memories will remain!

Despite the trials, sacrifices and pitfalls along the way

The loud clattering noise that often dull my senses

Your voices and stories can still be heard and they stay with me….

Not one day goes by that your impact is not felt

We will not forget, we simply cannot forget

Your memories will remain!

We honor and salute you!

We will not forget that we achieve because of your sacrifices

We continue the fight because of your examples

We will succeed because you did

We too will pave the way for those who come behind us

So our memories will remain to strengthen and encourage them