ACLU Supporter –

The civil rights battles that made Black history may seem like relics of a past era; the victories closed chapters in the fight for equality. But there is more progress to be made to achieve systemic equality for Black people, including in ending voter suppression and police brutality, fighting for fair housing and economic justice, and other areas of life still mired in racism. These battles continue under the leadership of Black activists, lawmakers, athletes, actors, and others – many working side by side with the ACLU – who are pursuing true equality to this day.

This year, we're honoring the Black leaders carrying the legacies of Black history into the future, alongside the historymakers who laid the groundwork. Take a look at our list of people essential to civil rights.

We all know Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice and civil rights pioneer who brought Brown v. Board of Education to victory. But did you know about Pauli Murray, whose legal theory on discrimination and equal protection formed the basis for not only Brown, but in Ruth Bader Ginsburg's legal strategy when she founded the ACLU's Women's Rights Project in 1972?

To look to the future, ACLU's own LaLa Zannell has been a leader at the intersection of racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and criminal law reform. As our Trans Justice Campaign Organizer, protecting Black trans lives is a priority of her work, which includes helping to end unconstitutional searches by the NYPD, advocating for the decriminalization of sex work, and testifying at the first Congressional forum on violence against transgender people, among other initiatives.

From Congress to the NFL, the Emmys to an Alabama abortion clinic these Black leaders are using their platforms for empowerment in the 21st century.

There's no doubt that it's important to honor past achievements. Now we need to take the victories of Black history and carry them forward. That's progress.

Stay tuned for more of our work pursuing Systemic Equality in the weeks ahead.

To the future,

ReNika C. Moore
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Director, Racial Justice Program, ACLU