It is important to know the origins for Black History Month. The Historical Educational Month was instituted in mid spring, late summer of 1915, established in 1916 and founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. I am grateful for Dr. Carter G. Woodson completing extensive research on the historical works on African-Americans in the United States.

• In Vermont; 1836, Alexander L. Twilight was elected to the State Legislature

• In Ohio; 1855, John Mercer was elected as town clerk of Brown helm Township

• In 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first African-American justice of the Supreme Court

• From 1967-1971 Cleveland, Ohio; Carl Stokes served as mayor in a most important city

• From 1969-1983 New York; Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American female elected to the U.S. Representatives then Congress.

The list is extensive, in addition to our leaders here in Polk County: Timothy B. Jackson, Doris Moore Bailey, Lynne Simpkins, Gow Fields, Sylvia Blackmon Roberts, Stacy Campbell-Domineck, Deric Feacher, Phillip Walker, Leo E. Longworth, Ernest Joe Jr., Nathaniel Birdsong, Stacey Pough, Joe Halman, Wilfred Smith and the list goes on.

What is more vital to note is our young men and women. Black History Month is not based on 22-, 23-, 24-inch rims, grills, automobiles, $200 pair of shoes nor fashion. Black History Month is based on African-American citizens making a positive impact lawfully in their education, community, life, assisting others in need who want to do better and making a positive difference in the world. Not tearing down communities, littering, destroying properties, theft, distributing drugs, etc. It is important to make a positive difference in the world and stop chattering. Life is too short to not make a difference.

Dr. Shandale Terrell

Lakeland