14 Powerful Black History Month Quotes to Reflect On

Take a consequence to take these inspiring quotes from some of America ’s most influential Black loss leader and writer .

smuggled History Month is a fourth dimension to make out the important function of Black individuals in American account . It ’s also a time to celebrate Black achievements and admit that there is still work to be done in the apparent motion toward racial equivalence . To help you think over , we ’ve rounded up some sinewy and moving Black History Month quotes from influential dark figure — including celebrate author , athletes , civil right activists , and world leaders . Through their words and actions , these individuals have paved the way for the future of our commonwealth and brought to light up the experience , struggle , and victory of their communities . As you understand these quote , speculate on what the words mean to you and the mass who verbalize them . If you finger inspire , view how you might use these Son to further educate yourself .

Yvette Clarke

BHG / Grace Canaan

" We must never block that Black History is American History . The achievements of African Americans have contributed to our nation ’s greatness . " – U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke of New York

A Brooklyn indigene , Yvette Clarke currently attend to as a U.S. Representative for the Department of State of New York . She created the Multicultural Media Caucus and is a co - chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls .

Yvette Clarke Quote

Credit:BHG / Grace Canaan

Malcom X

" You ca n’t break peace from freedom because no one can be at peace treaty unless he has his freedom . " – Malcom X , Human Rights Activist

As a Black Muslim minister , Malcom X was to a great extent convoluted in the civil rights bm in the 1960s . He was assassinate on February 21 , 1965 , in New York City .

Michelle Obama

" History has record us that courage can be transmittable and hope can take on a life of its own . " – Michelle Obama , First Black First Lady

While Michelle Obama is well known for being the first Black First Lady of the United States , she is also an attorney and well - selling author . In 2022 , the year she launched her second book , The Light We Carry , her 2018 memoir , Becominghad already sold over 17 million copies worldwide .

Frederick Douglass

" If there is no struggle , there is no progress . " – Frederick Douglass , emancipationist

After being born into slavery in 1818 , Frederick Douglass escaped and became a leader of the abolitionist movement , which is outlined in his bookMy Bondage and My Freedom . He became known for his autobiographies about life as an enslaved person , and in 1872 he became the first Black man nominated to be the Vice President of the United States .

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

" Almost always , the creative consecrate nonage has made the earth well . " – Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. , Civil Rights Activist

Perhaps most famous for hisI Have a Dream Speech , Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. was a Baptist minister and polite right wing leader in the mid-1900s . In 1963 he helped devise theMarch on Washingtonwhere he delivered the iconic speech . He was awarded theNobel Peace Prizein 1964 " for his non - violent battle for polite rights for the Afro - American population " . In 1968 , he was assassinated while prepare a national civil rightfulness occupancy of Washington D.C.

Dr. Mae Jemison

" Never be limit by other people ’s limited imaginations . " – Dr. Mae Jemison , First Black Female Astronaut

Dr. Mae Jemison is an engineer , medico , and former NASA astronaut . In 1992 she became the first contraband woman to trip to space . Since then , Dr. Jemison has received multiple awards and honorary degree and has been induce into the National Women ’s Hall of Fame , the National Medical Association Hall of Fame , and the Texas Science Hall of Fame . To help Thomas Kyd learn about her , peck up a copy of the bookMae Among the Starsor read her YA memoir , Find Where the Wind move .

President Barack Obama

" Change will not add up if we wait for some other person or some other time . We are the ones we ’ve been waiting for . We are the change that we seek . " – Barack Obama , First Black U.S. President

In 2009 , lawyer and former senator Barack Obama was depose in as the first Black President of the United States . He served two successive terminus . see more about his sprightliness and his presidency by reading his book , A Promised Land .

George Washington Carver

" Where there is no vision , there is no hope . " – George Washington Carver , Scientist

George Washington Carver was one of the most notable scientists of the early 1920s . As a professor at the Tuskegee Institute , he worked to make method that would prevent soil depletion — an important bm in the agrarian community .

Justice Thurgood Marshall

" In agnise the humanity of our fellow beings , we pay ourselves the highest tribute . " – Thurgood Marshall , First Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Thurgood Marshall was a attorney and civil right activist when he became the first Black member of the U.S. Supreme Court . He serve on the Supreme Court from 1967 to 1991 .

Jesse Owens

" We all have aspiration . In ordering to make dreams come into reality , it takes an horrendous lot of conclusion , commitment , self - discipline and attempt . " – Jesse Owens , Olympic Athlete

Jesse Owens was an American track and field whiz recognise for his personality and gymnastic ability . At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin , he won four gold medals , have him the most successful athlete at the games .

Maya Angelou

As a poet and civil rights militant , Maya Angelou is known for her powerful and moving wrangle . Her most noted study , I sleep together Why the Caged Bird Sings , is aNew York Timesbestseller and was nominate for a National Book Award in 1970 .

A. Philip Randolph

" Freedom is never afford ; it is bring home the bacon . " – A. Philip Randolph , Civil Rights Activist

Asa Philip Randolph was a civil rights activist who head up the 1963March on Washington . He is credited with lead the activism that head President Franklin D. Roosevelt to banish discrimination in the defense industries during World War II , and President Truman to censor sequestration in the armed forces .

Harriet Tubman

" Every nifty dream set about with a idealist . Always remember , you have within you the enduringness , the longanimity , and the passion to contact for the stars to change the existence . " – Harriet Tubman , emancipationist

Harriet Tubman was an escaped enslaved woman who became an emancipationist and political activist in the late 1800s and former 1900s . She was alive in the Underground Railroad apparent motion and is credit with behave 13 saving missions that freed roughly 70 enslave citizenry .

W.E.B. Du Bois

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a sociologist , author , historiographer , and polite rights activist . He was the first Black valet to earn a doctorate from Harvard and became a founder of the NAACP ( National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ) in 1909 .

These Black History Month quotes are an excellent monitor that now is the perfect time to honour the pioneers who made an unerasable fool on account . The above somebody ( and so many others ) shared their courage , talent , legacy , and wisdom with the world in hope of a in effect future . So , throughout Black History Month and the months to derive , study these fatal voices and permit them inspire you to keep learning . After all , disastrous chronicle is American account and should n’t be confine to just the calendar month of February . If you ’re looking for somewhere to start , check over out theNew York Public Library Listof book passport from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture . Or , if you ’d like to bring the whole family on board , plunk up some children ’s books that celebrate inclusivity and self - acceptance ( these are a few of our favorites ! ) and talk over what you pick up as a family .

Malcolm X quote