Once again Black History Month is upon us and many people take this time to recognize those in the black community who have made significant contributions in all facets of life, from science and math to art and entertainment. 

     This year, Black History Month means so much more because of the ups and downs the black community has

faced in the past year. Cops shot innocent black people, but the Black lives Matter movement gained traction, riots took place and protestors were gassed and brutalized by police, yet we elected the first black, female Vice President.

     In the face of these highs and lows, through the struggles and triumphs, I want to use this Black History Month as an opportunity to recognize and honor the pillars of the black community that we have lost in this past year. 

Cicely Tyson: Queen on the Screen

     Cicely Tyson is the most recent loss to the community having died on Jan. 21, 2021, at age 96. Her career on the silver screen spanned more than seven decades; she was renowned for her portrayal of strong black women. One of her most notable works was “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” (1974) where she played the starring role of the 110-year-old former slave.

     Other works of Tyson’s include “The River Niger,” (1976) “Wilma,” (1977) “The Rosa Parks Story,” (2002) “Because of Winn Dixie,” (2005), and “King,” (1978) where she portrayed Coretta Scott King. In these roles, among dozens of others, Tyson commands attention with her grace, dignity and power.

     Tyson dedicated herself to empowering black women through her roles and was quoted as saying, “I’m very selective as I’ve been my whole career about what I do. Unfortunately, I’m not the kind of person who works only for money. It has to have some real substance for me to do it.”

     For me, Tyson is a role model; she is an inspiration because she used her prominence to better others. She commanded the attention and hearts of her audience and portrayed royalty even when she played a slave, and for that, she will be sorely missed.

Chadwick Boseman: Pride of a Panther

     Boseman’s filmography speaks for itself as to why he is a bastion of the black community. Chadwick Boseman portrayed some of the most influential people to the cultural zeitgeist of black America. 

     His most notable biographical roles were Jackie Robinson in “42,” James Brown in “Get on Up” and Thurgood Marshall in “Marshall.” Boseman was in more than 20 films during his life and played a leading role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” posthumously. 

     News of the unexpected death of Chadwick Boseman on Aug. 28 2020, felt like a sick prank but, unfortunately, was all too real. I cried upon receiving the news and called all of my family so we could mourn his loss together. His death was gut-wrenching because of what he represented for black people everywhere.

     Moreover, Boseman was a beacon of hope for the black community because he played a superhero in his titular role as Marvel’s “Black Panther.” He was the good guy on the big screen, not just a sidekick or a background character. It was so much more special than other superhero movies – more personal. We got to see one of our own in the spotlight, competent and in charge. He was a king, and he embodied the pride of Africa – pride for our ancestors. Wakanda Forever indeed.

C.T. Vivian: Civil Rights Legend

     Reverend Cordy Tindell Vivian was a lesser-known member of the civil rights movement who passed on July 17, 2020, at 95. He was the right-hand man and lieutenant of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960’s push for racial equality. Rev. Vivian worked the front-lines of sit-ins, marches and conferences in the 1960s as part of the non-violent protests held in Birmingham and Selma, Alabama. 

     Vivian worked tirelessly as a part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference despite the abuse, beatings, and violence he suffered as part of the marches. His life was endangered several times by police officers, jailers, and bigots over the course of his nonviolent protests, just like hundreds of other blacks.

     Work done by people like Rev. Vivian changed the course of history and paved the way for equality for black people today. His work in the civil rights movement created lasting effects and rushed racial equality forward by decades. 

     Unfortunately, the work he started still has not been finished, but I like to believe he would have been proud to see movements like Black Lives Matter continuing his work in the face of recent racially charged acts of violence.

Bill Withers: No Sunshine With You Gone

     Musical legend Bill Withers is outlived by his infamous hit singles like “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t no Sunshine,” “Lovely Day,” and “Just the Two of Us.” He died of heart complications on March 30, 2020, in Los Angeles.

     Withers was a three-time Grammy winner for his soulful ballads written in the 70s, many of which have come to stand the test of time. He is remembered for his husky tones and easygoing but reclusive nature. Withers stopped making music in the 80s to live a move private life with his family, but his songs continued to inspire.

     “Lean on Me,” largely considered his most famous song, is perfect for the black community. In fact, the song was played at the inauguration of former president Barack Obama. 

     It speaks of coming together when times are tough and uplifting one another. That is a message that the community sorely needs right now, especially as the issue of racial discrimination is so prominent. During this Black History Month, remembering Withers’s message of peace love and camaraderie is imperative.

Katherine Johnson: A Legacy No Longer Hidden

     Biographed in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” Katherine Johnson was an integral part of the Apollo 11 moon landing mission. She was part of a group of African American women who calculated trajectories for the crew.

     Johnson worked in the NASA space program as a mathematician for more than three decades and had a personal hand in sending men to the moon. She had one of the greatest mathematical minds of her generation, yet had to work against discrimination and segregation during her time with the program.

     Dying at the age of 101 on Feb. 24, 2020, Johnson was one of the few historically integral African Americans to be recognized for their contributions while living and was credited for her work through the film prior to her death.

     Without the work of this black woman, space exploration would have been set back an untold amount of time. She is a reminder to me, and black people everywhere, that we can do anything we want to despite discrimination because one day we will get our due just as Mrs. Johnson got her day in the sun. There will come a day when the color of someone’s skin does not determine the greatness of their contributions to the world. Katherine Johnson’s work was hidden from the public eye for decades but now is the time to remember and honor her for what she gave us: the moon. 

Kobe Bryant: King of the Court

     Last but certainly not least on this short list of Black History Month honorifics is basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Bryant died a little over a year ago on Jan 26, 2020, alongside his daughter Gianna in a violent plane crash. 

     His death rattled players and sports fans across the globe due to its unexpected timing. Bryant was practically considered a basketball ‘god.’ An 18 time NBA All-Star and five-time championship winner, Bryant was not called one of the best players of his generation for nothing.

     His death was devastating to the basketball world, but, more than anything, it reminded people that he was part of a larger community. Bryant was a king on and off the court and should be remembered as such.

     Kobe Bryant inspired people. “There’s a whole generation of athletes, writers, musicians, artists, actors, businesspeople, and fans who felt like they were just a text or a tweet away from him,” ESPN writer Ramona Shelburne said. He worked after his retirement to continue changing the world around him.

     The death of Kobe Bryant impacted hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. His name will not be forgotten and his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of players and fans alike.

Honorable Mentions

     A multitude of other pillars of the African American institution have passed on over the course of the year, people who exemplified everything the black populace stands for. 

    Musicians like Pop Smoke, a prominent rapper, and Charley Pride, a pioneer for black country stars, passed away alongside entertainment moguls such as Andre Harrel, the man who discovered Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, and Jas Waters, writer of the hit television show “This Is Us.”

     Civil rights activist John Lewis passed away as well after working in the US House of Representatives for 33 years. Lewis was the Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a prominent youth protest group during the civil rights movement. 

     In this same vein of people who propelled black equality forward, former Tuskegee Airman Alfred Farrar died at 99 and was honored for his military service as one of the first African American military aviators during World War II.

     Furthermore, I challenge you to recognize those who have died that weren’t even known at the beginning of the year but came to bring us together, like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, who have not received justice for their senseless deaths but deserve to be honored as well. They became building blocks for the black community, anchor points in the struggle.

     As Black History Month inevitably comes to a close for 2021, we should strive to honor those we have lost and use what they have taught us to be better, to do better. Rest in Power brothers and sisters.