February Inspire 2023 FINAL DIGI

“With the killing of Breonna Taylor, Louisville has been placed on the world stage, as a city to address America’s longstanding systematic and racial disparities that Black Americans have faced for centuries. Louisville has been provided an opportunity to create a more inclusive America, but the question is will it.” - John Howard Shaw-Woo Black History Month

B lack History Month is a time for all Americans to celebrate and recognize the accomplish- ments and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. In Louisville, Kentucky, the importance of Black History Month is especially significant, given the city’s unique history and ongoing struggles with racism and inequality. With the killing of Breonna Taylor, Louisville has been placed on the world stage, as a city to address America’s longstanding systematic, economic, and racial disparities that Black Americans have faced for centuries. Louisville has been provided an opportunity to create a more inclusive America, but the question is will it? Louisville has a complex and fraught history when it comes to race relations. In the antebellum era, the city was a center of the slave trade, and its economy was built on the backs of enslaved people. During the Civil Rights era, Louisville was a hotbed of activism and resistance, with local leaders and activists working tirelessly to challenge segregation and discrimination. Today, Louisville is a city that re- mains deeply divided along racial lines, with stark disparities in income,

a new generation of activists and leaders who are commit- ted to building a more just and equitable society. One example of this work in action is the Louisville Urban League, an organization that has been working for over a century to promote racial and economic justice in the city. The Urban League provides a wide range of services to Black Louisvillians, including job training and placement, educa- tional programs, and community organizing. The organiza- tion also advocates for policy changes at the local, state, and federal levels to address the root causes of racial disparities and inequality. Black History Month is also an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made in Louisville and across the country in the fight for racial justice. For example, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was passed in the wake of the Bir- mingham protests and other demonstrations, was a land- mark piece of legislation that helped to outlaw segregation and discrimination in many areas of public life. However, it is essential to recognize that this progress has been hard- won and is still incomplete. Discrimination and inequality continue to plague many communities, and the struggle for justice and equality is far from over. One way to continue this progress is by supporting Black- owned businesses in Louisville and beyond. Black entre- preneurs face many unique challenges when starting and growing their businesses, including limited access to capi-

tal, discriminatory lending practices, and a lack of visibility and recognition in mainstream media. By supporting Black- owned businesses, we can help to create economic oppor- tunities and promote equity and inclusion in our commu- nities. Despite Black residents accounting for 23.4% of Louisville’s population, only 2.4% of businesses in Louisville are Black owned. “We recognize that we are not going to reverse the effects of redlining, disinvestment and disenfranchisement over- night. It is going to take time and dollars,” said previous Mayor Greg Fischer. “Knowing that Black and other mi- nority-owned businesses do not have access to the same resources that many white business owners do, we are in- creasing even more our intentionality around additional support structures for those businesses in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget.” Another way to support the ongoing struggle for racial jus- tice is by learning about the history and culture of Black Americans in Louisville and beyond. This might involve reading books and articles by Black authors, attending cul- tural events and performances, or visiting local museums and historical sites that highlight the achievements and contributions of Black Louisvillians throughout history. In conclusion, Black History Month is a vital time for all.

education, and health outcomes between Black and white residents. In this context, Black History Month serves as an essential re- minder of the struggles and achievements of Black Louisvil- lians throughout history. The month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of people like Muhammad Ali, a Louisville native who became a global icon for his boxing skills and his outspoken advocacy for civil rights and social justice. Black History Month is also a chance to hon- or the contributions of lesser-known figures, such as activists and community leaders who have worked tirelessly to make Louisville a more just and equitable city. One of the critical challenges facing Louisville today is the stark and persistent racial disparities that exist across a range of do- mains. For example, Black residents of Louisville are much more likely than their white counterparts to live in poverty, to lack ac- cess to quality healthcare, and to experience discrimination and harassment in their daily lives. These disparities are a product of centuries of systemic racism, from the era of slavery and Jim Crow to more recent policies such as redlining and mass incar- ceration. Black History Month can be a powerful tool for addressing these disparities by raising awareness about the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. By celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of Black Louisvillians, we can inspire

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