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Modern Black leaders are making history every day. We owe it to our children to introduce them to the changemakers doing the work right now. Here are a few modern Black leaders your kids should know about as we strive for social justice during these uncertain times.
Black History Month for kids
In addition to the notable Black leaders most commonly associated with Black History Month like Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there are a number of other notable Black people you can share with your children, from a poet laureate to a viral TikToker:
1. Amanda Gorman
Whether she’s authoring children’s books or reciting her poems at the UN General Assembly, Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman is a force in the Black community and an inspiration to all. Spend time with your kids watching videos of Gorman’s speeches, and make sure to add her books to your home library.
2. Alexis Nikole Nelson
With millions of social media followers, Alexis Nikole Nelson — the self-described “Black Forager” — provides viewers with insight into safely foraging for wild edible plants. For families with kids interested in botany and gardening, those wishing to learn more about cooking with foraged items, or simply families who enjoy nature walks and want to learn more about the natural world, Nelson is a wealth of knowledge of all things natural living.
3. Jessica Watkins
In October 2022, NASA SpaceX Crew-4 Astronaut Jessica Watkins completed a six-month extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Watkins was the first-ever Black woman to be a part of the ISS crew. If your child likes all things space-related, spend time learning about all of the contributions Black Americans have made to the space program.
Black History Month: Leaders advocating for change
Teaching Black History is an all encompassing initiative. “We don’t have to choose between celebrating differences, connecting through similarities, and pursuing kinship with others,” author and mom of four Amber O’Neal Johnston said on Instagram. “We can help our children do all of these really well.” Celebrate Black History Month learning about leaders who are working hard for change in the community and beyond.
4. Sunn m’Cheaux
Known across TikTok for breaking down language and its usage, Sunn m’Cheaux is an activist, artist, and social commentator who also teaches Gullah at Harvard University. His binge-worthy TikToks cover a variety of topics. Sunn’s perspective on the question, “Why does everything have to be about race?” is particularly insightful.
5. Alicia Garza
One of the three Black Lives Matter (BLM) cofounders, Alicia Garza is also a prolific journalist and part of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Observe Black Lives Matter Week of Action with your kids in the first week of February.
Read books that will help them understand the true meaning and purpose of the movement. A few helpful titles to get kids thinking about BLM include:
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano
Daddy, There’s a Noise Outside by Kenneth Braswell, Joe Dent, and Julie Anderson
A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee
Modern Black leaders of today and tomorrow
Whether a part of the new administration of the highest office of the land or just inspirational everyday kids, modern Black leaders are making history and paving the way for a better future.
6. Levar Burton
There’s probably a very specific song that comes to mind whenever you hear the name Levar Burton, and for good reason. Everyone’s favorite television show host is still working in the children’s literacy space.
“I simply want kids to read, OK?” Burton told Marketplace Tech. “And parents ask me all the time, how do I get my child to read more? And I ask them, generally, two questions. One, do your children see you reading? Because it is that all-important example, that modeling, that really informs a child just how important the activity of reading is to you, as their parent.”
“Second question I ask them is what is your child passionate about? Because it’s our passions that really drive our reading appetite,” the education advocate explained.
Watch reruns of Reading Rainbow with your kids, and then take a deep-dive into the child literacy initiatives Burton is working on today.
Young Black leaders of the future
A key consideration to share with your children is that some of the Black leaders of today and tomorrow aren’t that much older than they are. In regards to climate change, for example, while white counterparts like Greta Thunberg may be getting a lot of press, there are also young Black leaders doing amazing things for the environment.
7. Jerome Foster
Environmental activist Jerome Foster founded One Million of Us, a youth-led organization that empowers young people to fight for the causes that matter most to them.
8. Mari Copeny
Known also by the moniker “Little Miss Flint,” Mari Copeny is an activist and philanthropist who, in 2013, sent a letter to former President Barack Obama about the water crisis facing her Michigan City. It was her letter that led to the Obama administration’s approval of a $100 million relief effort.
In the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment — a disaster that will have far-reaching environmental effects — there is little doubt that our children are watching and will need to be the change we need going forward, as long as we take their interests seriously.
“Have frequent conversations involving your child’s values, ideals, missions, and objectives,” Massachusetts General Hospital youth program director Gene Beresin told National Geographic. “Listen to what’s important to them.”
9. Mikaila Ulmer
Founder of Me and the Bees Lemonade, Mikaila is a 15-year-old millionaire. The Shark Tank contestant — who began selling her lemonade at Whole Foods and Macy’s — inspires young students through her workshops and speaking engagements. Mikaila invests a portion of her business’s profits to organizations committed to saving the bees.
