We have just closed the chapter on a historic milestone—the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. But let’s be clear: excellence of this magnitude cannot be contained within twenty-eight or twenty-nine days. Black history is lived, breathed, and celebrated all day, every day. It is the foundation upon which we stand as we transition into Women’s History Month. This month, we honor the women who have made a way out of "no way." These are the visionaries who used wisdom to

By Val Patton Black History Month isn’t just about what was written — it’s about what we’re writing now. As a community, our present-day assignment calls for focus in a few key areas: We must focus on stewardship of our stories. Our lived experiences, wisdom, and testimonies matter. Documenting them — through writing, mentoring, teaching, and storytelling — ensures our truth isn’t lost or rewritten. We must focus on legacy, not just survival. Those before us fought to open do

As I look back over the past year, one thing is clear: this was not a random season. It was a patterned one. Word by word. Lesson by lesson. Stretch by stretch. Last year, my writing followed a thread—a collection of P-words that quietly shaped how we showed up, stayed grounded, and kept moving forward even when the road wasn’t clear. Let’s pause long enough to honor them. A Year Rooted in the P’s Persistence reminded us not to quit when progress felt slow. Perseverance ta