Today is February 1st, the first day of Black History Month. This is a time when we traditionally reflect on the immense contributions of Black people throughout history, celebrate our culture, and honor the legacy of those who fought for our freedom and dignity. While this month is a chance to uplift our history, we must also face the reality that the political and cultural climate feels increasingly challenging. As we begin Black History Month this year, many of us are feeling disheartened by the political shifts around us—the rise of a new administration, the refusal of major government agencies to acknowledge cultural months like Black History Month, and the rollback of DEI initiatives by large corporations like Target.

These changes are tough to swallow, and they may leave many of us wondering if the work we’ve been doing to build a more inclusive world even matters. The truth is, it does. Now, more than ever, we must continue to show up, to do the work, and to stand in solidarity with those whose rights and histories are being threatened.

The Importance of Showing Up, Every Day

When it feels like everything around us is changing in ways that erase the progress we’ve fought so hard for, it’s easy to become disillusioned. The truth is, our work is more important than ever. It’s easy to get discouraged, but if we stop showing up, if we allow the fear and frustration to paralyze us, then we’ve handed victory to those who want to silence us.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” This is our call to action. We can’t let the negativity, the hate, or the systemic oppression that we see around us extinguish the light we carry. That light comes from our ability to show up every day, to do our work with excellence, to build our dreams in the face of adversity, and to support the people and causes that matter most to us.

Support the Builders, the Dreamers, the Fighters

In times like these, it’s crucial that we invest in the work of Black businesses, creators, and change-makers. Our communities are full of innovators, builders, and leaders whose brilliance can and will push us toward a brighter future. These individuals aren’t just surviving—they are thriving, and they are leading the way. The more we lift them up, the more we send a clear message that we stand in solidarity with the work that’s being done.

Take time to support Black-owned businesses. If you’re a business owner, like me, use your platform and resources to amplify the voices of marginalized creators, or offer your expertise to organizations doing grassroots work. If you can, dedicate your time, energy, and resources to causes that support marginalized groups. Every little bit helps, and every act of solidarity sends out a ripple of change.

For My Fellow Black Americans: Your History Is Your Power

To my fellow Black Americans, I want to remind you of something: you don’t need the federal government to recognize Black History Month to celebrate Black history. Black history is American history. It is interwoven into the fabric of this country’s foundation. And every day, in the way we show up for ourselves and our communities, we continue to build upon the legacy of our ancestors.

Those who seek to oppress, silence, and erase our history—will not succeed. They will not erase us. They will not silence us. They can’t. We are the realization of our ancestors’ wildest dreams. The fact that we continue to rise, push forward, and create in the face of adversity is proof that the vision they had for a better, freer, and more just future for all of us is already alive within us.

Keep Going, Keep Building

No matter the challenges ahead, we must keep moving forward. We keep learning, building, growing, and bringing light into the spaces we occupy. The work we do today is the groundwork for tomorrow. Every time we show up with excellence in our craft, every time we build a relationship with a like-minded soul, every time we stand up for what’s right, we are contributing to the change we want to see in the world.

In these times, it’s not enough to just sit back and hope things get better. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, show up with our best selves, and do the work; when we stand and fight, we fight for ourselves, our communities, and the generations that will come after us.

We don’t know what the future holds, but one thing is certain: we are building it.