8 Black Women Who Changed History — and What They Still Teach Us Today
How HerKind is honoring Black History Month with intention
Black History Month is more than a celebration.
It's a time to remember the people who didn't just live through history—they shaped it, protected it, and moved it forward.
And when you look closely, you'll realize something powerful: So much of freedom work has always been led by women.
Women who organized behind the scenes.
Women who spoke when it was dangerous.
Women who built communities when the world offered none.
Women who refused to shrink—even when shrinking was the safer option.
This month, HerKind is honoring Black History Month by spotlighting eight Black women who made history—and reflecting on what their legacy still teaches us about identity, care, leadership, culture, and community today.
Because the most meaningful kind of celebration isn't just posting a quote. It's learning. It's remembering. It's holding space with respect.
1. Maya Angelou — Voice, Elegance & Self-Authorship
Maya Angelou didn't wait for permission to tell her story. She spoke with elegance, precision, and an unshakable sense of self—and in doing so, she trained generations of women to do the same.
HerKind reflection: Voice isn't just what you say—it's how you say it. Elegance and power are not opposites. They're partners.
2. Serena Williams — Excellence, Ownership & Advocacy
Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of all time—and so much more. She built a venture capital firm, launched a fashion line, raised a daughter, and spoke up about pay equity and Black maternal health, all while dominating a sport that wasn't built for her.
HerKind reflection: Sovereignty means owning your worth in every arena—not just the ones you were invited into.
3. Audre Lorde — Self-Care, Power & Softness
Audre Lorde gave us one of the most radical wellness frameworks we know: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." She centered rest, pleasure, and boundaries—and refused to apologize for any of it.
HerKind reflection: Caring for yourself—your body, your energy, your peace—is not optional. It's foundational.
4. Sheila Johnson — Wealth, Ownership & Legacy
Sheila Johnson is the first Black woman billionaire in America and co-founder of BET. She went on to become the first Black woman to hold ownership stakes in three professional sports teams and built a luxury hospitality empire. She didn't just accumulate wealth—she stewarded it.
HerKind reflection: Queens don't just earn—they own. They build. They invest. And they create systems that allow other women to rise.
5. Michelle Obama — Grace, Composure & Presence
Michelle Obama moved through one of the most scrutinized roles in the world with intention, composure, and undeniable style. She prioritized wellness publicly, used her platform for community, and showed up whole—even when the world was watching and waiting for her to shrink.
HerKind reflection: How you carry yourself shapes how the world receives you. Style, substance, and sovereignty—all at once.
6. Solange Knowles — Curation, Culture & Access
Solange Knowles is a cultural architect. Through her music, art direction, and Saint Heron platform, she creates elevated spaces for Black people to see themselves with beauty and depth. Her most generous contribution? The Saint Heron Library—a free digital library with over 700 books by and about the African diaspora, available to everyone at saintheron.com.
HerKind reflection: CultureHER isn't just consumption—it's curation. Creating beautiful, intellectually rich spaces for our community is an act of stewardship and love.
7. Morgan DeBaun — Entrepreneurship, Tech & Community
Morgan DeBaun founded Blavity Inc. at 24 years old and built it into a media and technology empire—home to Blavity, Afrotech, 21Ninety, and more. Afrotech is now one of the largest conferences for Black professionals in tech, connecting thousands to opportunity, capital, and community.
HerKind reflection: Building platforms, raising capital, and creating community aren't separate goals—they're part of the same vision. Financial sovereignty includes making space for others to win.
8. Elaine Welteroth — Media, Wellness & Maternal Health
Elaine Welteroth became the youngest editor-in-chief in Condé Nast history when she transformed Teen Vogue into a cultural and political force. Beyond media, she's one of the most vocal advocates for Black maternal health—sharing her own birth trauma publicly to raise awareness about a crisis too many women face in silence.
HerKind reflection: Advocating for our bodies, our health, and our right to safe, respectful care is an act of leadership. Physical capital includes the courage to speak up—even when it's uncomfortable.
The Kind of Community We Want to Be
When you study Black history, one truth becomes clear:
Community changes everything.
It's how people survive.
It's how movements grow.
It's how women stay held through hard seasons.
It's how stories remain alive.
At HerKind, we're building a space where women can feel that kind of support—where identity is honored, wellness is protected, growth is encouraged, culture is celebrated, and community feels safe.
This month, we honor Black history the best way we know how:
By remembering with respect.
By learning with intention.
And by building something that holds people with care.
Happy Black History Month. 🖤
With love,
HerKind
