Dear  John,

Happy LEAP Day! As we commemorate Black History Month, today gives us an extra day to reflect on the pivotal role of the Black community in shaping our nation's history, and to recommit ourselves to the work that lies ahead as we honor those who've led the charge. Please join us in embracing this opportunity to leap forward in our understanding, commitment, and actions towards building safer communities and transforming our criminal justice system.

The history of the Black community in America is a poignant narrative of resilience, struggle, and unwavering strength, marked by systemic challenges and the indefatigable spirit of reform. From the early days of slave patrols to the modern disparities in policing and the War on Drugs, the path has been arduous as Black Americans have been at the forefront of advocating for meaningful change. The struggle against racial profiling and the disparities in policing is ongoing, with each generation building on the work of those who came before. The fight for justice and equality continues as society grapples with these deeply entrenched issues. It is our responsibility to carry forward the legacy of those who fought valiantly for human rights by ensuring that our actions and policies reflect the values of equity and justice.

Champions of Change

Throughout history, key figures have stood out as beacons of hope and catalysts for change. Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, with their unwavering commitment to freedom, laid the early foundation for what would become a relentless fight against racial injustices. Figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells were early voices against such injustices. The passion and drive of Fannie Lou Hamer, the bravery of Rosa Parks, the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr., and the tenacity of Angela Davis and John Lewis have been instrumental in propelling the civil rights movement forward, fighting not only for civil rights, but for the right to a fair and just policing system. In more recent times, voices like Bryan Stevenson have taken up the mantle, advocating tirelessly for the marginalized and wrongfully convicted. Influential authors like Michelle Alexander, who wrote "The New Jim Crow," have illuminated the path towards healing and reform, urging us to confront and correct the systemic wrongs the War on Drugs has disproportionately inflicted on Black Americans, a policy battle that has sown deep seeds of distrust and pain.

A Leap Through History

In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, as he called upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”  Every American president since Ford has recognized Black History Month, but the father of Black History Month was Carter G. Woodson. Born in 1875, Woodson believed younger generations needed to know their history and what Black people in America had overcome. After becoming the second Black person in America to earn a PhD from Harvard University, Woodson made it his mission to preserve the study of Black history and mentor younger Black scholars. He held the first Black History Week in 1926, intentionally choosing February as it coincided with birthday celebrations of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In Woodson's words, “We should emphasize not Negro History but the Negro in History. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hatred and religious prejudice.”

In solidarity,