Patrice Onwuka: Black History Month – here's how churches, civil society uplift the community

Uplifting Black Americans to achieve equality has been a long, hard-fought struggle. This fight is marked by momentous wins, such as the full enjoyment of constitutional rights and Blacks ascending to the helm of every facet of society. 

From the end of slavery to today, the question America has grappled with is, "How do we overcome these challenges?" Instead of looking to Washington for solutions, perhaps we should consider how to amplify the long-standing efforts already underway in our communities.   The Black church is just one source of light in the diverse constellation of organizations that form our civil society. Since our nation’s founding, Black people have organized, undirected by a central government or figure, to meet the needs of their fellow citizens. We exercise a strong philanthropic spirit, often rooted in faith, through various civil institutions – including the church. These institutions have birthed political leaders and spawned community solutions that underpin our advancement.