Black History Service. Faith, History, Unity Guest Speaker Mayor Evans

Standing on the Shoulders of Faith: Lessons from Black History for Today's Believers
In a world where millions didn't wake up this morning, we are reminded that God's mercy is new every day. As we reflect on Black History Month and the legacy of those who came before us, we discover powerful lessons about faith, perseverance, and God's faithfulness through generations.
Why Do We Celebrate Black History in February?
Many people wonder why Black History Month falls in February, the shortest month of the year. The answer lies with Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month. Woodson chose February to honor two pivotal figures: Frederick Douglass, who chose Valentine's Day as his birthday since he didn't know his actual birth date as a former slave, and Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
What started as "Negro History Week" eventually expanded into Black History Month. This timing wasn't about giving Black history the shortest month - it was about honoring the legacy of freedom fighters who paved the way for future generations.
How Long Have Black Americans Contributed to This Nation?
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, we must remember a sobering truth: Black people were in bondage for 400 years, while America has only existed as a nation for 250 years. This means our ancestors' DNA is literally embedded in the foundation of this country.
Even before America became the United States, Black people were here contributing. The first person to die in the American Revolution was Crispus Attucks, a Black man. After World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen fought for a country that hadn't yet given them the promises made after slavery ended in 1865.
The Pattern of Broken Promises
History shows us a pattern of promises made and broken. The promise of "40 acres and a mule" after slavery was never fulfilled. During Reconstruction in the 1870s, Black Americans were elected to office and started businesses. Louisiana even had its first Black governor.
But then came the disputed election of 1876 between Samuel Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes. A deal was struck - Hayes could win, but Reconstruction had to end. The troops protecting Black voting rights were withdrawn, ushering in the Jim Crow era of segregation and terror.
What Can We Learn from Tulsa's Black Wall Street?
In 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma, housed "Black Wall Street" - the most vibrant example of Black economic empowerment the world had ever seen. People came from around the globe to witness this thriving community built despite segregation and KKK terrorism.
But redemption came - not for Black Americans, but for those who opposed their progress. Tulsa was bombed, marking the first time African Americans were bombed in their own neighborhoods. Yet even after this devastation, our ancestors continued to press forward in faith.
How Did Faith Sustain Our Ancestors?
Throughout these trials, our forefathers understood key biblical principles that sustained them:
Hebrews 11:6 - "Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Leaders like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X understood that faith was all they had, and they used that faith to propel themselves and their communities into the future.
What Does This History Teach Us About Going Forward Together?
There's an African proverb that says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Our ancestors understood this principle, which is why the civil rights movement succeeded through collective action and coalition building.
As we face the challenges of the 21st century, we must focus on several key areas:
Education
Frederick Douglass had to teach himself to read because it was illegal to teach enslaved people literacy. Understanding this history should make our young people value education even more.
Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership
If one in three small businesses in America created just one job, the nation could reach full employment. We did it in Tulsa in 1921 - we can do it again today.
Homeownership
Many of our communities were redlined, meaning Black families couldn't get mortgages. Now we have the opportunity to move from redlining to "green lining" - creating homeownership opportunities in our communities.
Healthcare
African American women today have a higher chance of dying in childbirth than women did 50 years ago, regardless of income level. This is unacceptable and requires our continued advocacy.
Job Training
The jobs of the future are here, but we must ensure our community is trained to take them. We cannot fear new technologies like AI - we must learn about them and get involved.
What Does Langston Hughes Teach Us About Perseverance?
In his poem "Mother to Son," Langston Hughes reminds us that life hasn't been easy:
"Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. It's had tacks in it, and splinters, and boards torn up, and places with no carpet on the floor— Bare. But all the time I've been a-climbin' on, And reachin' landin's, And turnin' corners, And sometimes goin' in the dark Where there ain't been no light. So boy, don't you turn back. Don't you sit down on the steps 'Cause you find it's kind of hard. Don't you fall now— For I 's'e still goin', honey, I's'e still climbin', And life for me ain't been no crystal stair."
Life for us has not been a crystal stair, but we have not stopped climbing.
How Do We Honor Our Seniors and Preserve History?
There's an African proverb that says, "When a senior dies, it is like a library being burned down." We must honor our seniors and download their wisdom while we still can.
The Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act weren't passed until 1965. We have people in our communities who lived through this history. If we don't pass their stories to our children, that history will be forgotten or taken for granted. And anything you take for granted can be taken away from you.
Life Application
The Apostle Paul wrote from a Roman jail in Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Our ancestors planted seeds so that we would bring God's work to completion. Even though life hasn't been a crystal stair, even though we've faced darkness and didn't know which way to turn, we are reminded that God will complete what He started.
This week, challenge yourself to:

• Connect with a senior in your community and ask them to share their story
• Research one aspect of Black history that you didn't know before
• Consider how you can contribute to education, entrepreneurship, homeownership, healthcare, or job training in your community
• Remember that transformation begins in the heart - allow God to do a new work in you

Questions for Reflection:

• How has God's faithfulness sustained you through difficult times, just as it sustained our ancestors?
• What "seeds" are you planting today for future generations?
• In what ways can you work with others in your community to go further together rather than trying to go fast alone?
• How can you honor the seniors in your life and preserve their wisdom for the next generation?

Remember, we've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His holy word. He's never failed us yet, and He won't start now.