Management HQ honors and celebrates the contributions of Black Americans during Black History Month 2021. Our office takes care and works toward equitable practices as part of our lived values in the workplace and beyond. Part of this effort is celebrating what has made America rich in culture and the historical impact of Black lives that we continue to see today.
We asked our team to share their favorite quotes from Black Americans. We hope you are inspired by them as we continue to live into the words of so many great figures.
Quotes from Staff:
Aida Martinez-Freeman, Managing Director
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all of the time.” – Angela Davis
From Aida: Dr. Angela Davis is one of the most influential scholars and activist of our time. Dr. Davis invites me to be accountable to community and to always keep my focus on what is possible rather than what is impossible. Her teachings always push me to stay focused on justice and fiercely committed to collective liberation.
Rebecca Merrill, Events and Outreach Coordinator
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
From Rebecca: I try to follow this in every aspect of my life and it translates to both personal and professional so easily. Actions speak louder than words and if I can make just one person feel appreciated, loved, and heard then I’m empowering that person to do the same for others.
Annie Britt, Controller
“Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals”. -Dorothy Height
From Annie: It just hits home for me because through the wonderful grace of God, I’ve had to overcome a lot just to get to where I am at this very moment… (I’m speaking in life, in general)
Stephanie Gandy, Executive Administrative Assistant and Client Service Supervisor
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” – Audre Lorde
From Stephanie: This quote motivated me through my master’s program and beyond. On my journey, I encountered hurdles and dealt with imposter syndrome as a Black woman in academia. Audre Lorde’s words worked as a reminder of my strength in service of what continues to motivate me – equity, liberation, integrity, and education.
Aneesah Davis, Client Service Coordinator
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
From Aneesah: This has been a favorite of mine for a long time. In just a few words it speaks to so much.
Jim Murphy, Executive Director, NARA
“The time is always right to do what is right.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” —Booker T. Washington
“Truth is powerful and it prevails.” —Sojourner Truth
From Jim: These are meaningful to me as reminders to keep us grounded in basic principles of truth, kindness and remembering what is important. Too many often twist their perception, or presentation of the same, to fit their preferred situation or outcome, rather than taking the “high road” and ethically responsible path. These are simple and basic reminders to do what is right, truthful and to strive to be the best person you can be. Lessons I have tried to instill in my children throughout their lives.
Dara Rudick, CEO Management HQ, LLC
“When we show up, act boldly and practice the best ways to be wrong, we fail forward. No matter where we end up, we’ve grown from where we began.”
-Stacy Abrams, Former Georgia State House Minority Leader, Voting Rights Activist, Founder of New Georgia Project and Fair Fight
Leslie Johnson, Certifications and Operations Manager
From Leslie: Truly, the full poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ by Amanda Gorman. I simply cannot pick only one section that stands out “best” for me. She has managed to capture what is in my heart from our historical past, our recent past and my hopes for the future and the difference I hope to see in my lifetime and the legacy we are leaving for my children and their children-let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left with.
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