Black History Month — Reclaiming Our Time

Happy Black History Month!

What began in 1926 as “Negro History Week,” Black History Month has evolved as a time to celebrate and recognize the central role of Blacks in U.S. history.

This February, it continues to evolve, as BEACON is reclaiming this time and choosing to focus on Joy.  

2020 was tough...especially for Black Americans. With statistically higher COVID rates, police brutality, and systemic racism at the forefront, the ever-present struggle of being Black in America was intensified.

Naturally, Juneteenth became a widely-recognized holiday and signified a turning point for America as it faced bias, prejudice, and inequality head-on. (Learn more about Juneteenth along with curated materials for discussing Blackness in America.)  

But if we’re being honest, these are conversations many Black Americans, like our BEACON members, grew up having at home. The notion of racism and inequality is not a new one to us, nor is it one that we choose to focus on 24/7 in order to maintain sanity.

Just as Black Americans have been pioneers in society, we’ve also been integral to bringing culture, art, and vibrant life to the country. The Black experience is not monolithic and every Black story does not have to be one of suffering. We have beauty, style, and joy….and it’s not talked about enough. Largely because mental health has been systemically dismissed in the Black community. For so many, happiness has been remarked as a luxury, instead of the necessity that it truly is.  BEACON would like to change that.

Now don’t get us confused—that doesn’t mean ignoring the issues we still face. We are still fighting the fight, breaking barriers, opening doors, and doing what we can to support and uplift our communities. But we’re taking a moment to focus on positivity.  To center ourselves, and be reminded to put ourselves first with the hopes of a better future. It’s what we call “cautious optimism.”

From hosting clarity breaks and resource sharing, to a keynote speaker and virtual retreat, we’ll have a series of internal events centered around joy and wellness. Some reserved for BEACON members only and some open to the larger Praytell community for shared experiences. This will also be a chance for the Praytell community to get to know BEACON and its members on a personal level, to witness the joy, creativity, and range we have to offer.

We encourage you to join us by finding ways to support your local community! Shop with a Black-Founded business, outsource Black talent and freelancers, donate time / resources to a charity, and speak up when you see injustice.  

With love,

BEACON

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Questions? Want to learn more about BEACON or Praytell’s other employee resource groups? Email hello@praytellagency.com.

About BEACON: Black Employees Advocating for Change and Opportunity Now or BEACON serves as a safe space to unite, retain, and uplift the voices of Black employees at Praytell. We value fellowship, cultural programming, and elevating representation within the industry.