Written By: Jordyn Bradley, W*SS Social Media Intern
February may be a short month, but it’s significant! It’s Black History Month, a time to reflect not only on the history of Black individuals but also on their ongoing contributions in the present. Their influence has been pivotal in not only the progression of the United States and the world at large, but culturally as well . Though we should celebrate Black contributions year-round, February provides a special opportunity to elevate these voices. It’s not enough to simply post a raised fist with African-pride colors on social media or to recognize only the iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, or Harriet Tubman. While their legacies are vital (and should be taught in schools), we must also acknowledge the modern leaders who are changing our world today.
However, before we dive into celebration, I can’t ignore the elephant in the room. With the heightened debates and tensions surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger, unifying picture. Misunderstandings (and outright racism) have arisen, with many mistakenly believing that DEI initiatives only benefit Black people, with an ignorant idea that Black people are hired just to be hired, without any qualifications. The truth is that DEI is an expansive concept, one that encompasses people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds(even Veterans), excluding only the historically dominant group of straight, white males under the age of 50. And the hardest truth is that Black people have to be more than qualified to even be considered for a lot of positions.
While DEI deserves its own discussion, let’s focus on celebrating the achievements of Black individuals of both the past and the present.
For instance, the 2025 Grammys, held this past Sunday night. It was a historic night for Black artists, where multiple winners received the recognition they more than deserved.
Kendrick Lamar
- Record of the Year: "Not Like Us"
- Song of the Year: "Not Like Us"
- Best Music Video: "Not Like Us"
- Best Rap Song: "Not Like Us"
- Best Rap Performance: "Not Like Us"
Beyoncé
- Album of the Year with Cowboy Carter
- Best Country Album with Cowboy Artist (first Black artist to do so)
Doechii
- Best Rap Album (only the third woman to ever win this award)
Alicia Keys
- Global Impact Award for her support in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
These names are just a glimpse of the huge cultural influence that Black artists continue to have on the music industry. We are only in the second month of the year so there's no telling how much more will be accomplished by the end of 2025!
If you’re looking to support the Black community this month (or every month), here are a few recommendations:
Black-Owned Businesses in the Lansing Area
- Goodfellas Bagel Deli
- Socialight Society
- Carter & Cruz’s Silly Socks and Accessories
- Bryant Digital Photography
- Skin Studio 211
Find more Black Businesses here: https://lansing.momcollective.com/
Underrated Black Authors and Novelists
- Donna Grant & Virginia DeBerry
- N.K. Jemisin
- Tomi Adeyemi
- Jesmyn Ward
Underrated Black Music Artists
- Amanda Reifer
- Nija
- Kali
- Ojerime
- Jordan Ward
Black Content Creators
- Clarke Peoples
- Monet McMichael
- Nara Smith
- Kellie Brown
Lastly, I want to mention that W*SS is doing something a little different this year. While we’ve always spotlighted impactful Black individuals on our instagram, this year we are focusing specifically on those making an impact within the MSU and Lansing communities. If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) to be featured on our Instagram, please fill out this form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJpjUqUov_--qF0CWU79h5JdWZiulFvpdCUl3S-waYgjQBcg/viewform?usp=share_link . Stay tuned to our Instagram to see who we highlight throughout the month!
Let's continue to celebrate and uplift Black voices, not just during Black History Month, but every single day!
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