This Black History Month, we are pleased to highlight Kenyetta Townsend, a legal practice assistant in our 1850 M Street office in Washington. Kenyetta explains what Black History Month means to her but also how her celebration doesn’t end when February does.

“Dr. Angela Davis once said, ‘I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I can no longer accept.’ This phrase, to me, explains how the meaning of Black History Month has evolved over time.

“As a child, I was taught in school to only recognize our heritage during just one month of the year. Through my young adult years, I began to see a shift where a deeper focus in showing the world that Black history cannot be contained to one month was pushed. Through this important mindset shift, the world has been encouraged to embrace and celebrate a culture with a rich history of perseverance, success, ingenuity and strength year-round! We have a responsibility to continually show the accomplishments of those who shaped Black history and the importance of respecting the legacy left for us.

“I celebrate my Black History all year long! I support black-owned businesses as well as work with an organization that focuses on walking black women through the process of evolving into who they are meant to be. Through planning year-round programs and social events that promote self-care, positive emotional and mental health and personal growth, this ultimately creates a network of women who are then empowered to be world-changers.”