Words That Carry Us Forward

As we come to the end of Black History Month, I want to pause and reflect.

Not just on history but on what these voices continue to teach us now.

Black history is not only about the past.
It’s about the courage, resilience, imagination, and self-belief that still live within us today.

In this reflection, I’m sharing ten powerful quotes from Black leaders, thinkers, and creators along with what they mean to me and why they still matter.

These aren’t just words.
They’re reminders.
Anchors.
Invitations.

1. Marcus Garvey — Confidence Begins Within

“If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.”
— Marcus Garvey

I chose this quote as the foundation for this reflection because no matter what you’re building — your life, your career, your dreams — belief has to start within you first.

The outside world will always have opinions.
Doubts.
Resistance.

But if you don’t believe in yourself, then you’ve already lost the race before it even begins.

Confidence isn’t arrogance.
It’s trust in yourself.

And everything else grows from there.

2. Dr. Mae Jemison — Release Other People’s Limits

“Never be limited by other people’s imaginations.”
— Dr. Mae Jemison

So many people will project their fears, doubts, and limitations onto you.

And if you’re not careful, you’ll pick them up and start carrying them as your own.

Just because someone else can’t imagine something for themselves doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you.

Their ceiling does not get to become your limit.

3. Harriet Tubman — Dream Bigger Than Fear

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
— Harriet Tubman

A lot of times, we’re simply not dreaming big enough.

We all have the potential to change the world in some way — through our voice, our work, our impact.

For me, my biggest fear isn’t failure.
It’s dying with regret.
With what ifs.
With unexpressed potential.

You already have within you everything you need.

4. Colin Powell — Vision Requires Demand

“Have a vision. Be demanding.”
— Colin Powell

Most people have the vision part down.

Where we fall short is demand.

We give up too soon.
We lower our standards.
We stop when it gets uncomfortable.

I always think of the image of the miner who stopped digging just three feet before hitting gold.

You never know how close you are to your breakthrough.

Be demanding with your dreams.

5. Nelson Mandela — Courage Is Acting With Fear

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
— Nelson Mandela

Fear isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong.

Fear often means you’re stretching.
Growing.
Dreaming beyond what’s familiar.

One of my favorite reminders is: feel the fear and do it anyway.

If you never feel fear, you’re probably playing too small.

6. Lupita Nyong’o — Risk Is the Price of a Full Life

“It’s only when you risk failure that you discover things. When you play it safe, you’re not expressing the utmost of your human experience.”
— Lupita Nyong’o

So many people are playing it safe — in careers, relationships, and life.

But nothing extraordinary comes without risk.

Living fully means allowing yourself to fail, learn, and try again.

That’s how you experience the depth of being human.

7. Cicely Tyson — Growth Lives in Challenge

“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.”
— Cicely Tyson

We all love ease.

But it’s through hardship that we grow, expand, and evolve.

Challenges force us to rise.
To learn.
To become more than we were before.

8. Kerry Washington — Embrace the Imperfect Journey

“I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.”
— Kerry Washington

Life will never be perfect.

There will always be ebbs and flows.
Ups and downs.
Certainty and confusion.

The work is learning how to enjoy the journey — even in the messy middle.

9. Amanda Gorman — Be the Light

“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it.”
— Amanda Gorman

There is always light — even in dark seasons.

But it requires awareness.

Sometimes the work isn’t just seeing the light —
it’s choosing to be it.

10. Beyoncé — You Define Your Worth

“Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.”
— Beyoncé

So many of us grew up having our worth defined by others —
parents, teachers, systems, media.

But you get to decide who you are.
You get to define your value.

That power has always been yours.

Closing Reflection

Black history is a reminder of what’s possible.

Of resilience.
Of courage.
Of imagination.
Of self-definition.

These words aren’t just quotes.

They’re invitations.

To believe.
To lead.
To rise.
To become.