women have led the country in possessing the highest number of advanced degrees . In 2017 , African American women made powerful strides in politics , entertainment , literature , and education , and are poised to accomplish even more in 2018 as we prepare for mid-term elections . However , the danger lies in the fact that as we continue to make strides , if we do not honor our history — the beautiful as well as the ugly — we may forget .
We cannot just depend on our teachers to teach our children our history . We also cannot wait until February to celebrate our history . When we honor our history throughout the year , we better understand what it means to keep moving forward when we get weary and discouraged . We better understand the plight of people like Ursula Burns , Malcolm X , Bayard Rustin , Rosalind Brewer , or DeRay McKesson . workshop , a literary jazz brunch , and an original stage play based on my first novel , Cheatin ’ in the Next Room . The event will also include an essay contest and a visit to a local high school .
As an author , it is important to me to incorporate literacy and history in all my events so we can make reading popular again . By promoting stronger literacy programs and requiring our young people to read for both entertainment and information , we empower our communities while honoring the dreams of those who came before us . Does this stop at Black History Month ? No , it doesn ’ t , but using the month of February to remind us of how far we ’ ve come is a start . By honoring our past and continuing to shape our future , we can keep Black History relevant .
It is for this reason , I am committed to honoring our history . For the last five years , I have spoken at events in five different countries on keeping Black History relevant . This month , my company , Meet the World Image Solutions , is hosting our Second Annual Black History Month New Orleans Literary Weekend . We will host eight local and national authors in a free writers ’
Dr . Rhonda M . Lawson is a 23-year Army veteran , 14-time published author , and founder of Meet the World Image Solutions , LLC . She hosts a literary online talk show each Wednesday at 7 pm CST , highlighting authors and other literary professionals . Her fiction novels include Cheatin ’ in the Next Room , A Dead Rose , and Twylite . She currently resides in New Orleans , Louisiana
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