Happy Black History Month, or as we like to call it, Black Futures Month!
Young Black people have always been at the forefront of social change in our nation. And the Black youth leaders in the Alliance Network are no different. From expanding voting access, to protecting abortion access, to fighting for economic justice in their communities, the young Black leaders in our network are paving the way to a brighter future every single day.
To celebrate Black history and Black futures, we asked Black leaders in the Alliance Network to share with us who inspires them and what legacy they want to leave behind for future generations.
Take a look at what they all had to say 👇🏽
Karanja Matory, Mississippi Votes
Who is a Black youth organizer in history that inspired you?
Kwame Ture, formerly known as Stokley Carmichael is someone that has inspired me. He is important for anyone to know for the contributions he’s made to the black power movement.
What do you want to be your legacy? How is the work you’re doing now building to that legacy?
For my legacy, I just want to be able to add to the work that’s already been done and make a better Mississippi. The work I’m doing now is setting me up to help lead and develop the next group of young folks that’ll be able to add to what I envision which is change and more progressive mindset people to be on the forefront for Mississippi.
Jay Beck, MOVE Texas
Who is a Black youth organizer in history that inspired you?
Amariyanna “Mari” Copeny, also known as Little Miss Flint, inspires me. It is inspiring to see how powerfully Amariyanna organizes her community in the face of systemic challenges designed to disproportionately threaten black communities and the promise of black joy.
What do you want to be your legacy? How is the work you’re doing now building to that legacy?
I want my legacy to be having fostered connection through kindness, understanding, and humor. I’m working towards my legacy by inspiring actions rooted in solidarity and continuing to lead with joy in the face of challenges and hardships.
Carmel Pryor, Alliance for Youth Action
Who is a Black youth organizer in history that inspired you?
My Grandma Lucy’s activism back in the day inspired me to do what I do now. From marching on Washington with Dr. King to local organizing in Cleveland, Ohio, my grandma’s stories of fighting back against racism during the Civil Rights Movement instilled in me the importance of seeking justice and striving to be seen as “one of the helpers.”
What do you want to be your legacy? How is the work you’re doing now building to that legacy?
I believe in the power of art, media, and technology to be a catalyst in tackling the social injustice issues of our time. And I want my legacy to reflect the creativity and skills I use in communications and artmaking to move Black people, particularly queer Black youth, towards liberation.
Briyana Joseph, Engage Miami
Who is a Black youth organizer in history that inspired you?
John Lewis is a Black youth organizer in history that has inspired me beyond measure. During my first year organizing with Engage Miami, I read “March” a three-book graphic-novel series that’s basically a memoir of his life. Learning about his role in the Civil Rights Movement, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the impact of young activists in the movement taught me so much about youth’s power. The lessons I learned from reading “March” grounded me and continue to drive me as I do this work and a bonus was, I got to meet him!
What do you want to be your legacy? How is the work you’re doing now building to that legacy?
When I become an ancestor I hope people say, “Bri, was for the community and she wasn’t afraid to get in good trouble.” The work I’m doing now to build that legacy looks like having conversations with young people on college campuses to register them to vote, inform them about their local elections, and help them develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence around local civics so that they can organize their communities around the issues they care about. Outside of working with Engage Miami, I am on the board of an organization that is fighting for housing justice in Miami-Dade County and South Florida, which is the issue most near and dear to my heart.
Lyla Brown, Forward Montana
Who is a Black youth organizer in history that inspired you?
Brea Baker inspires me, and she is the voice I needed while I was growing up. She is still organizing and is a writer, who speaks about the current world that we live in, and her words are so meaningful to me. It is incredible to see other young people out doing the work and using her voice for us.
What do you want to be your legacy? How is the work you’re doing now building to that legacy?
I hope that when people think of me, they think of someone that would show up no matter what with warmth, intention, and care. I want to live in a world where Black women are not expected to show up and be ready to fight every day of their lives, but in a world that values the softness and strength that we bring with us every day.
Eliana Reed, Alliance for Youth Action
Who is a Black youth organizer in history that inspired you?
Angela Davis is the first person that comes to mind. I had the opportunity to see her speak on my college campus when I was 20, and hearing from her really impacted me. It made me so incredibly proud to be Black, especially being on a PWI campus, and I realized that even someone like me could join the fight to better the quality of life for our community.
What do you want to be your legacy? How is the work you’re doing now building to that legacy?
I do this work because I want a world where everyone knows how easy it is to be a piece of the puzzle that is changemaking. Whether your action is small or big, it takes all of us to make the change we want to see, and the longer I’ve been doing this work the more I’ve seen people actually believe that. I want people to remember me as a friend, a sister, a daughter, or a colleague who was a piece of the puzzle that made our world better.