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Each year, Black History Month calls us to remember our nation’s
transformative historical figures, cultural icons, and inspirational
leaders. It also should move us to [2]reflect on the unsung heroes who
"fought the same injustices and prejudices of our society—not on a grand
scale, but on a human scale,” writes Fred Riley, executive director of
[3]Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. Riley reflects
on his childhood influences, from his high school English teacher to his
family’s pastor, who “showed the same love and strength, day in and day
out… one person at a time.”

It is this fundamental approach to fighting injustice—through daily actions
performed by individuals, by communities, by institutions—that underlies
the Institute’s efforts to build a more just and equitable society, during
this month and the other eleven too.

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[5]

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[6]On Being Black and Indigenous

Americans of Black-Indigenous heritage often find themselves caught between
cultures, considered neither Black enough nor Native enough to satisfy
others, even in their own communities. The [7]interweaving of Black and
Native cultures is often ignored and rarely taught. The Institute’s
[8]Center for Native American Youth hosted an event celebrating Black and
Indigenous excellence, welcoming a frank discussion about the erasure of
those with blended heritage, and their pride in their multiple identities.
[9]More

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[11]

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[12]The Food Movement Serves Up Racial Justice

Although many Americans express dismay over political talk at the dinner
table, the story of food justice is [13]historically aligned with the
politics of the civil rights movement. In particular, the Black Panther
Party created a community-funded free breakfast program that became a model
for the nation and for legislation. [14]Conversations on Food Justice, a
series of talks from the Institute’s [15]Food & Society Program and
[16]Share Our Strength, looks at those past efforts, and considers what
food justice means today.
[17]More

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[20]Debut Books from a New Generation of Black Authors

The literary world’s recent and belated focus on Black literature led to
the elevation of a few undeniable giants, and many more Black writers are
on the cusp of the national spotlight. [21]Aspen Words offers up [22]five
fantastic books from Black authors, literary debuts that are artful,
powerful, and worthy additions to any reading list of the great American
tradition.
[23]More

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[26]Reinvesting in Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The lack of investment in HBCUs is a perennial missed opportunity and one
that should teach us about creating a more equitable future for young
people. Last fall, the [27]Aspen Partnership for an Inclusive Economy, the
[28]College Excellence Program and [29]Weave hosted a three-part series
[30]on the future of HBCUs, the unique challenges they face in the
pandemic, and what is needed moving forward.
[31]More

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[34]Refocusing Resistance in Black Religious Communities

For years, Black religious organizations have exposed racial discrimination
and fought inequity in majority-white institutions. But [35]there is more
work to be done, says Rev. Billy Honor, a scholar and civic organizer.
Writing as part of the Institute’s [36]Inclusive America Project, he argues
that Black religious communities should spend time creating spaces that
affirm Black life and less time fighting for room in white-led spaces.
[37]More

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[40]What the Abolitionists Thought You Should Know about US History

To understand Black experience, we should think like historians and dig
deeply into contemporaneous sources. The [41]Citizenship & American
Identity Program points the way with a [42]resource-filled article about
three abolitionists and their writings and collections, shedding light not
only on what actions they were taking but also the big questions they and
the country wrestled with at the time.
[43]More

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[46]Leaders and Icons in Their Own Words

Many great Black cultural and political leaders graced the Aspen
Institute’s stages over the years, and we are fortunate to have preserved
hours of those appearances on video. [47]Take a look back and watch The
Atlantic’s Clint Smith reciting his poem “Place Matters,” Mae Jamison
recounting her journey as the first African-American woman in space; Wynton
Marsalis and Jon Batiste reflecting on Black music history; and the late
Congressman John Lewis recounting his participation in the historic Freedom
Rides. Or listen to the [48]Aspen Ideas To Go podcast Black History Month
playlist, featuring author Ibram X. Kendi, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and more.
[49]Watch

Upcoming Events

[50]

A National Agenda for Financial Inclusion at [51]Aspen Ideas RE$ET

Feb. 23 at 4:00 pm EST

If the fundamentals of the US economy are strong, why are so many
individuals left behind? Join Mastercard Vice Chairman Mike Froman, former
White House Economic Advisor Adrienne Harris, and Grameen America CEO
Andrea Jung for an interactive Aspen Ideas RE$ET conversation on financial
inclusion, sponsored by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.

[52]The Cost of Jail Calls and Commissary Markups

Feb. 23 at 1:00 pm EST

Incarcerated people’s loved ones, primarily low-income women of color,
covered the cost of 80% of local jail phone calls. The consequences of
these charges strip the savings and resources of entire families. Join the
San Francisco Financial Justice Project and the Aspen Institute
[53]Financial Security Program for a conversation on how cities and
counties can implement racially equitable reforms for people who are
incarcerated.

[54]Addressing Job Quality and Equity in a Time of Crisis: Tools and Case
Studies from Local Government, Workforce Development, and Policy Advocacy

Feb. 24 at 2:00 pm EST

Even before the pandemic and associated economic fallout, one in four
working adults in the US earned a wage insufficient to lift a small family
out of poverty. In this webinar with the [55]Economic Opportunities
Program, hear from leaders in government, advocacy, and workforce
development on new tools and approaches to address the challenges of job
quality and equity.

[56]Public Health Grand Rounds at the Aspen Institute – Suicide Prevention
During COVID and Beyond

Feb. 24 at 1:00 pm EST

Millions across the United States are struggling with mental health issues
as a direct result of the pandemic. During this [57]Health, Medicine and
Society Program event, Dr. Deb Houry, Director of the CDC’s National Center
for Injury Prevention and Control, will present new data on suicide deaths
in the United States and focus on the critical steps for mitigating suicide
risk during these unprecedented times.

[58]Closing Opportunity Gaps by Investing in Black Financial Institutions

Feb. 26 at 1:00 pm EST

From the tragic murder of George Floyd to the shocking attack on the US
Capitol, recent events have moved society to call for transformational
action to address systemic, institutionalized racism. In this panel, we’ll
learn how [59]Henry Crown Fellows are tackling issues that divide society
and limit our collective prosperity.

The Aspen Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action
to help solve the greatest challenges of our time.

Your support makes this work possible.

[60]Support Us

Join the Society of Fellows to be part of a national community that deeply
engages with the ideas and issues that drive the work of the Aspen
Institute. Add your voice to the conversation today.

[61]Learn More

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