Some people in the United States refer to Black History Month as African-American History Month or U.S. Black History Month, unfortunately. Referring to a celebration of the accomplishments of Black people worldwide by using the name of a single country overshadows its real intent. It is not meant to honor just American Blacks or just Canadian Blacks or just Blacks who are descendents of slaves. It is a celebration to increase awareness of the accomplishments of the past and current African Diaspora, without historical bias or geographical limitations.

Black History Month is traditionally celebrated each February, and it is a time to gain a better understanding of the historical and worldwide accomplishments of Black explorers, scientists, authors, artists, social activists, and political leaders. Here is a question to ponder: Did your school history or science books ever mention Norbert Rillieux or OlaudaEquiano? Probably not because the successes of all but a few now well-recognized Blacks are lauded. Most people recognize names like Frederick Douglas and Nelson Mandela, but what about Queen Hatshepsut Ma’at-ka-Ra who ruled as the Fifth Pharoah of the Eighteenth Egyptian Dynasty until she died circa 1600 B.C? Are the names Toussaint Louverture, leader of the Haitian Revolution, or NdehNtumuzah, who led the move for Cameroon independence, familiar?

The modern Black Diaspora is represented in most countries. It began as historic migrations of free and enslaved people out of Africa. Africans settled in new communities, formed relationships, began businesses, and made significant contributions to the world’s scientific innovations and cultural artistries. Nelson Mandela became the leader of the fight to end apartheid in South Africa with his first arrest in 1962. On the other side of the world, Martin Luther King led 250,000 mostly-Black people in a civil rights march on Washington, D.C. in 1963. These bookend events forever changing the world. Now, the U.S. has its first African-American President; Britain has John Tucker MugabiSentamu as the Archbishop of York; Poland has KrystianLegierski, elected to the Warsaw City Council; and Italy has Cécile Kyenge as the first Black Minister of Integration.

Recently, someone wrote in an online forum that Black youth need role models, but to read about the Black historical and modern “heroes” it is usually necessary to go to Black publications. That is what Black History Month is really all about. It is meant to herald the accomplishments of Black men and women without bias, and in doing so, encourage people of all color or no color. Whites should write about Blacks; Blacks should write about Asians; Asians should write about Hispanics, and round and round. Understanding heritage and place in history as members of humanity is vitally important to a successfully, diverse world.

By the way…Rillieux was born in 1806 as the son of a New Orleans slave and French plantation owner and developed a patented evaporator for refining sugar that is still used today. OlaudaEquiano was born around 1745 in Nigeria, shipped to the West Indies, and eventually moved to England. Equianopurchased his freedom and was a major force in the enactment of the Slave Trade Act of 1807 which abolished slave trade in the British Empire.

There are lessons in all of this for businesses. Members of diverse workforces need to interact, develop mutual respect based on the facts, and stay connected. Accomplishments should be heralded and full recognition given to those who contribute to business innovation and success. Above all, people should understand they can be proud of their heritage and identities, no matter the color of the skin, no matter where they live, and no matter where they are going. Black History Month is important to the Black Diaspora, but we believe it is important to everyone else, too.