Vice President Kamala Harris represents a number of important firsts for our country. She is the first woman, the first Black individual, and the first individual of South Asian descent elected to national office in the United States. Additionally, she is the first VP to graduate from a Historically Black University, specifically Howard University in Washington D.C. According to Harris, “When you’re at an HBCU, and especially one with the size and with the history of Howard University… it just becomes about you understanding that there is a whole world of people who are like you.”

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, are institutions of higher education that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when segregation laws prevented Black students from attending most schools. The principal mission of HBCUs was and still is the education of Black Americans; however, today, around a fourth of HBCUs’ student populations are non-Black students. According to the United Negro College Fund, “HBCUs outperform non-HBCU institutions in retaining and graduating first-generation, low-income African American students. Diversity within college graduates is vital because more voices from all corners of the United States makes us a better formed, positive, successful society.”

There are currently 101 HBCUs in the United States, including two in Missouri: Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis and Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

The inauguration of President Joe Biden was an eventful day, but the inaugural poet really captured the hearts of many. Amanda Gorman performed “The Hill We Climb” at yesterday’s ceremony, and in doing so became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Gorman is a Los Angeles native, and her heartfelt moving poems have allowed her to perform for the Obamas, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Malala and more.  She also earned the title of the first National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017. This amazing poet made me want to investigate the history of this ‘inaugural poet’ role. This role is still remarkably new, with only four presidents having poets read at their ceremonies. It started with John F. Kennedy in 1961 and Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden following suit. All four of these presidents were/are known for holding reading and literature in high regard. After Amanda’s amazing performance, her words of hope and resilience, while acknowledging the hard work ahead, resonated through the entire country.

2021 – #WeMustDoBetter as people, a community, a nation, and a world.

Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

According to Entrepreneur.com, there are twelve actions to take to be a better person and leader:

1. See yourself for who you are – know your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Forgive and let go of anger.
3. Accept responsibility – you are the only one responsible for your actions.
4. Admit when you are wrong and apologize.
5. Be a good listener – actually hear what the other person is saying.
6. Be polite – let kindness be your compass.
7. Have respect for others (and yourself).
8. Set goals for yourself.
9. Live with integrity – your actions are in tune with your beliefs.
10. Recognize opportunities to grow and change – don’t allow fear to hold you back.
11. Be part of a community.
12. Embrace the journey – there will be good times and tough times, but combined those times will get you where you need to be.

“And so, it is time to revise everything. We must revise the way we speak, the way we work, the way we think and the way we act. We must do better. And we must do it now. We just can’t wait any longer, “ Samora Pinderhughes, The Root.