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Family Life > Holidays

Celebrating Black History Month
By: Tony Dungy
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One cool November morning, I set out on my normal daily walk.  It was a beautiful day in New York City. As I walked from my hotel in mid-town Manhattan, I travelled into Harlem and came back through Central Park. It was awesome.  I got to see some great history in Harlem. I walked up West Central Park Boulevard which becomes Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem.  At 122^nd Street, there is a statue of Harriett Tubman, one of the famous "conductors" on the Underground Railroad, who led escaped slaves north to freedom in the 1800′s.

Three blocks further north at 125^th Street, is the famed Apollo Theater.  Recognized as the hub of African American entertainment in the 1900′s, I was moved as I literally walked through great American history, rich with the stories of so many African American champions. It was special getting to see these spots first hand. Walking there and then back through the park, and seeing so many people enjoying a beautiful Sunday, was God's way of speaking to me.  What a privilege to literally be able to walk through so many historical places. 

We celebrate Black History Month every February as a reminder of these great Americans who, despite seemingly impossible odds, not only survived—they thrived and excelled.  People from every walk of life who determined not to let anything stop them from doing what they knew was right to do. World-class athletes like Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays.  We should remember the contributions of humanitarians and activists like, Frederick Douglas; Rosa Parks and Walter Francis White.  Entertainers, artists and writers, singers and musicians, and scientists and educators who used their gifts and abilities to make the world a better place for generations to follow.