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Black History Month…Revisited

(Just don’t pack it away in a box for next year)

By Tekia Thompson

The Storyteller Statue. Mercy, Isn’t she beautiful?  I know that we are several days in to #blackhistorymonth and I haven’t been blowing up my social media pages with all the facts and “did you knows” about black people. I know it seems like this is my time to shine right! But I always feel like this is the time where those who care try to cram it all in…all the joys and triumphs of black people. I mean, we only have 28 days, right? Only 28 days to highlight the best of us. Only 28 days to remind the world that we do in fact matter. So, we better make it count, right?!.

To be honest, I’m used to so many of our stories being pushed aside, dismissed or straight up erased for centuries. Heck, as a black woman and I am still learning about so much. I’m digging deeper, peeling back layers and opening up old wounds. You know they didn’t teach us ALL the things in school! True story, I grew up in the south and remember one teacher stating, “listen we’re not gonna dive into that whole slavery thing ok so don’t get upset.”  Yeah, let that sink in.

It’s tough but worth it. WE are worth it. Give us the mic, create a space, share the platform and let us shine! I recently saw a message posted by American Poet, Amanda Gorman. She mentioned that “…especially for girls of color, we’re treated as lightning or gold in the pan—we’re not treated as things that are going to last.” I am not here to be someone’s one and done, a single burst of light that only comes once. And I think I can say the same for all black people. We are makers, dreamers, doers, contributors, inventors, and so much more!  No doubt many of the things you enjoy and use in your daily life, started in the minds of beautiful black people (i.e. your home security system). Check out Maria Van Brittan.

The Storyteller Statue reminds me that there is so much more to us. So many beautiful, rich stories to be shared about the creativity, passion, BEAUTY, intelligence, soul and power of black people, especially black women. Our story spans more than 28 days worth that’s for sure.

So let’s take our time and spread it out. Learn and share the stories throughout the year. 365 days. Year after year. Because our stories are woven into all parts of life. We were here before. We are here now. And we’ll be here in the future.

*The Storyteller Lost Wax Statue created by artisans working with Atelier in Burkina Faso.  Available at @villages_overlandpark.

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Learn more about this recycled silk sari poncho that Tekia is so beautifully modeling here!

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Tekia Thompson currently serves as Assistant Manager for Ten Thousand Villages Overland Park in Overland Park, KS. When not fulfilling her duties with Villages Overland Park, she spends her time coordinating volunteers at various farms and community gardens to harvest and distribute produce to hungry families. With the support of Villages Overland Park, she serves as host and content creator for Amplify LIVE! a new independent video/podcast that amplifies the voices of the entrepreneurs, makers and change agents who bring fair trade & sustainable change to their local communities. She is also creator of Black & Fair, an Instagram page that explores the role of people of color within the fair trade and beyond. She is an Alumni of Avila University in Kansas City. Prior to her work in fair trade, she served as a missionary in Juarez, Mexico, leading teams in building houses for those in need as well as serving in rural Appalachia and Poland performing community and educational outreach. She has worked for various nonprofits throughout the Kansas City area including Sunflower House Children’s Advocacy Center and the American Cancer Society as director of communications. She was featured in the “New Faces of Philanthropy” March 2020 Issue of In Kansas City Magazine

When she’s not wrapped up in fair trade joy or rescuing produce for hungry families, she’s creating community engagement opportunities for her local church in addition to serving on various community committees/advisory boards in Kansas City including Carry the Cross Ministries/On Eagles’ Wings Farm, Jubilee Community Garden Leadership Team, and Johnson County Food Policy Council. She was recently appointed to the Avila University Board of Counselors. She is passionate about people, building community, and inspiring hope! 

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