What Does Black History Month Mean to Me?

Published Monday, February 6, 2023

Read Time: 3 minutes

Graphic featuring pattern African-style red, green, and yellow pattern and text reading "OIT Celebrates Black History Month 2023"

Editor’s Note: OIT is celebrating Black History Month throughout February by inviting employees to share their views on what the month means to them. Below are some of the thoughts and experiences that OIT employees have shared with us so far. If you would like to share your thoughts on Black History Month, send them along with a photo (optional) to oitcommunications@cms.hhs.gov.

Antoinette “AJ” Johnson

Director, Division of Investment Oversight and Governance (DIOG)

Black History Month means opportunity and gratitude to me. It is a time I use to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans that came before me as well as those in our society today. I am so grateful for the civil rights pioneers that paved the way for this country’s journey towards equal rights for all. I am also hopeful and see opportunity for more discussions, more education and continued positive change in the future.

Monica N. Kay, D.B.A., PMP

Senior Technical Advisor & Health FFRDC Program Manager

IT Capital Planning Group

When we think about Black history, particularly during Black History Month, you recall the usual high-profile names, Martin Luther King, Fannie Lou Hamer, Arthur Ashe or even in today’s world, Simone Biles. You never think about yourself and your own family or that you, too, are a part of Black history.

I am an alumna of the University of Maryland – Eastern Shore, a Historically Black University (HBCU), and I had the opportunity to rummage through their yearbooks at a past homecoming. Of course, I checked my year, but I also looked at the centennial year, 1986. In looking at that yearbook, I ran across a picture of the first students of the school, Princess Anne Academy (1886) as it was called at the time.

To my surprise, I saw my family names, Gale and Dennis, which means my ancestors were among the very first students of the school. Through its many iterations and name changes, from Princess Anne Academy to Maryland State College and now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, my family has been a part of this school via education. The drawing shows the first Olney school that was used by students in 1886. The other narrative shows the family names that are near and dear to me, such as the Gale, Dennis and Waters families who are my relatives.

This realization brings me to what Black history means to me. Those initial relatives sought to make a better life for themselves on the Eastern Shore of Maryland via education, all during a time when they had every obstacle against them and when they had the least. They are my family who in their own small way are a part of the fabric of Black history, Maryland history and American history. They are the people on whose shoulders I stand.

Line drawing of the first Olney school, later to become University of Maryland - Eastern Shore — *Drawing of the first Olney school where the first students attended Princess Anne Academy (later to become University of Maryland Eastern Shore) in 1886.*

Page from University of Maryland Eastern Point Centennial Yearbook, 1986. — *Page from the centennial edition of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Yearbook referencing the Dennis, Gale, and Waters families, 1986.*

Sumera Rownak

Product Manager

MPSM

Photo of Sumera Rownak — *Sumera Rownak*

Being from a non-traditional and underrepresented background and community, Black History Month reminds me of all the sacrifices and contributions that African Americans have made for the USA. It resonates with me and reinforces my belief that standing up for your rights and voicing your opinion will one day pay off. Therefore, I feel honored and humbled to learn more and more about the contributions of African Americans from my colleagues and through initiatives like these. So thank you for this!