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

Every year around this time, something quiet but powerful happens. The morning air feels a little different. The days shorten. Lights begin appearing on porches and in windows. Grocery store lines get longer, and people carry both excitement and exhaustion in their eyes. And somewhere in the middle of all this seasonal movement, we find ourselves slowing down—almost without intending to. It might happen while driving past a familiar street decorated for the holidays. It might