Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Elevation

Standing at the Legacy Museum & National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Alabama was a sacred, grounding moment for me. It wasn’t just a visit it was a pause. A moment to reflect on how far we have come, not by accident, but by purpose, prayer, resilience, and vision.

As I walked through the space, I felt deep gratitude. Gratitude for the ancestors whose names we may never know, but whose sacrifices made our lives possible. We are here because they endured. We are here because they dreamed beyond what they could see. And today, we get to live in the overflow of their faith and courage.

What stood out to me most was not only the weight of history, but the magnitude of progress. We have risen. We now hold positions in corporations where we were once excluded. We lead teams, sit at decision-making tables, and shape policies. We own businesses, build brands, and create generational wealth. We live in neighborhoods that once denied us entry. We travel freely, vote freely, speak boldly, and create spaces that center our joy, wellness, and voices.

Yes, the journey has been long but the victories are undeniable. And, our journey continues!

We are educators, executives, entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators, and leaders. We are doctors, judges, engineers, authors, and change-makers. We are building legacies that our ancestors could only imagine. Their backs carried the weight so our shoulders could stand tall.

The Legacy Museum reminded me that honoring the past doesn’t mean living in it. It means acknowledging the foundation while celebrating the elevation. We don’t just survive, we thrive. We don’t just exist, we excel.

This is a testament to progress. This is a celebration of purpose fulfilled. And this is proof that when a people rise, nothing can stop the momentum of their glow forward.

I am honored to be an African American. I stand tall and proud, rooted in the brilliance, strength, and greatness of my ancestors. Their legacy lives in me, and no matter how hard anyone may try, that truth can never be erased or taken away.