Black History Month Reflections & Lessons 2026

 

Happy belated 2026, readers! 

Thank you for returning for a new season of Pen & Prosper. I'm glad to have you here, not just for 2026, but also for Black History Month. There's no doubt about it, every February affords us an opportunity to recognize the collective contributions of people of color; to expand our horizons; to know more and grow more; to celebrate. 

And I'm proud and honored to use my growing platform to play even a small role in raising the visibility of Blacks, while raising the consciousness level of others. So, here we are for some fun facts and interesting info.

You ready?

Before I unpack a few reflections, lessons, and recent blessings, let's explore some relevant details about Black History Month. Shall we?

BLACK HISTORY MONTH BACKGROUND... 

• BHM evolved from “Negro History Week,” initiated by noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. 
• Every U.S. president, (since 1976) has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
• Being Black is not a pre-requisite for celebrating Black History.

There are many ways to honor, support, participate in B.H.M. Things that don't require a lot of money, or public protest, or anything radical, in fact.

 Here are a few ways that I have done my part over the last few weeks. And if you feel so inclined, you can too. :-) 

I SUPPORTED BLACK BUSINESSES

Recently, I visited a local upscale Black-owned bookstore in my area, "Honey & Hue". They hosted a Valentine's Day open-mic event for the 21 and over crowd that was worth the price of admission! 

Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed with the lovely decor and the broad, interesting titles from an array of Black authors. From celebrities like Michelle Obama, Cynthia Erivo, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, to up and coming novelists I'd never heard of.

To top it off, the bookstore staff was very helpful and inviting.

We had a full house, even on a cold winter's day. The event garnered attendees of different ages, interests, and socio-economic backgrounds. They were friendly, smart, talented, and very creative. Let me tell you! 

Several poets read their works; there were discussions on timely issues; and folks even shared marital and relationship advice.

The food was fab!

They served pinwheel sandwiches, assorted cupcakes, fruit, flavored juices, and various wines.

The downsides?

I met so many lovely people, whom I wanted to keep in contact with for the future, for networking purposes. Guess what?

Very few had business cards; though many were authors, successful professionals, and even entrepreneurs. Word to the wise: Not everyone is active on social media, folks. Not everyone wants to "look you up on Facebook."

No judgment here, but please consider investing a few bucks on some quality calling cards to expand your social circle this year and potentially your client roster. Vistaprint offers some great designs for reasonable prices.

The other small "snag" that evening, was that I'm not sure that the store had adequate preparation for the busyness of the event. I wanted to (and subsequently did) purchase merchandise from the store. The books and sundry items I liked, were not labeled with any prices. So, I found myself constantly trying to "flag down" staff to answer questions. The cash register didn't work, so unfortunately, they couldn't print my receipt. I had to remind them a few times that I didn't get one. Later that evening, they sent me a text with purchase confirmation. Which was cool; but I prefer printed receipts for recordkeeping purposes.

ALSO ON THE MENU...

 

The same day, my guy and I also checked out a new bbq restaurant (Sanders BBQ) that was ranked one of the top 50 eateries in the country. The dishes were to die for!

i had BBQ ribs, mac & cheese, and cornbread like I'd never had before.

I would rank the experience 4 out of 5 **** stars.

Lastly,

I VISITED AND READ SOME BLOGS BY BLACK BLOGGERS

It's a small task with the potential to have great impact for you (the reader) and the host. Trust me, I know. Diverse viewing can broaden your writer's voice, teach you about different cultures, and expand your horizons.

With this being the case, thank you for visiting today and spending your time at Pen & Prosper.

I hope that something you read inspired, informed or entertained you.

Until next time...