“Independence for All: A Call to Remember, Respect, and Rise

When fireworks light the sky this Fourth of July, I will be reflecting on the word that defines the day: independence— A word filled with promise, yet one that still feels incomplete for sooooo many.

July 4, 1776, marked America’s declaration of freedom from British rule—but not everyone gained their freedom that day. For Black people in America, independence was not granted, but fought for—generation after generation.

 And still today, we carry both the weight of history and the hope of a better future.

We celebrate the progress made, the chains broken, and the voices raised. We honor those who dreamed of true liberty—not just for some, but for all. 

Yet, even as we celebrate, we cannot ignore the reality that efforts still exist to silence, restrict, and roll back the hard-won rights of Black Americans.

Let this Independence Day be more than parades and cookouts.

Let it be a call to action—to recognize that the freedoms celebrated today were not always extended to all, and in many ways, still aren’t.

We must speak the truth: Freedom delayed is justice denied.

We are not going back.

 We refuse to let history repeat itself. 

The journey toward equity, justice, and freedom for all continues—and we will keep marching forward. 

We will continue to live boldly, lead confidently, and love fiercely.

So today, I reflect not just on a nation’s independence, but on our independence—as a people who have always pushed forward, even when the road was blocked.

To my brothers and sisters: May we always know that we are worthy of freedom—not because it was given, but because we were born with it.

To our allies and friends: May you continue to listen, learn, and stand with us—not just in word, but in action.

And to those who seek to divide or take us back: Know this—we are rooted in strength, resilience, and truth. And we are not going anywhere.

This Fourth of July, may we all commit to a future where independence means freedom for every voice, every color, every story. 

May we not forget those who are still struggling—those living in poverty, battling injustice, or feeling unseen in a system that too often overlooks them. 

Let our celebration be more than symbolic—let it spark real empathy, advocacy, and action for the least among us.

Because true freedom is not selective. It is sacred. And it belongs to us all.

Happy Independence Day—may it be a reminder, a reflection, and a reason to rise.