Carolyn Bourdeaux: “This week, as February becomes March, Black History Month comes to an end. But I want to be clear, every month is Black…”

“This week, as February becomes March, Black History Month comes to an end. But I want to be clear, every month is Black History Month because Black history is American history. Today, I am thinking of the amazing Black women and men who inspire us daily and who changed the world. I am thinking of Ruby Bridges who, at only 6 years old, became the first Black student to integrate a southern elementary school. I am thinking of Gwinnett's own Beauty Baldwin, the first Black woman to be a school superintendent in Georgia. I am thinking of Hank Aaron, who showed the world the meaning of Black excellence when he broke Babe Ruth's home run record, and he was a proud Georgian. I am thinking of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an Atlanta preacher who shared his dream with the world and, in the process, changed it forever. And I am thinking of Senator Raphael Warnock, who preached from the same pulpit as Dr. King, and who now follows in his footsteps as an advocate for change. {time} 1030 I am thinking of Kamala Harris, our Nation's first Black and first female Vice President, and of all the Black and Brown girls around the country who are finally able to look at the White House and see themselves reflected there. Finally, I am thinking of our beloved Georgia friend, mentor, and colleague, John Lewis. Congressman Lewis would have turned 81 this weekend. Congressman Lewis spent his life getting into good trouble. At 21, he was one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.…”