Member-only story
Black History Month
Call for Submissions: How Does Our History Make You Feel Powerful?
Write a story about Black history’s impact and you can get featured in ZORA
This week, we lost a pillar of Black excellence. Cicely Tyson passed away on Thursday at the age of 96, leaving behind a legion of fans and a legacy of class, talent, and tenacity. She will be remembered as a pioneer in the entertainment industry, and as an icon in the history of Black America. In one of her last interviews, Tyson told ZORA about the importance of seeing yourself as limitless.
“You can’t put limits on yourself. You really can’t,” she said. “The moment you begin to question if you’re going to make it, you’re putting limits on yourself. Just focus on your journey and stay on that track.”
Our journeys as Black American women are laid by people like Tyson who looked limits in the face and decided they would not stop them. During Black History Month, we’re given the opportunity to honor those who came before us and helped make the impossible possible.
Every February, we look to the past to look forward. This Black History Month, we want to know how the stories of yesterday give you strength for today. So we’re inviting you to contribute to ZORA and write a story answering the following question:
How does your Black history give you power in your present?
Do you lean on advice given by a beloved ancestor? Does cooking traditional food or singing songs created by Black folks give you strength to get through the day? Is there a quote or a story from a Black woman that inspires you to keep going? Write about the impact your history has had on you. Tag “ZORABHM” in your story and email it to zora@medium.com so our platform editor can possibly feature it on ZORA.
Black history is happening around us every day, from the first Black woman vice president to the teachers, doctors, and helpers helping us get through the day. We are creating the futures we want to see and that future is limitless.
Happy writing!
