Reclaiming Our Time & Our Narrative

The constant policy changes and systemic relegation of people of color as "less than" are deliberate efforts to erase our history and, in turn, our very lives. These actions are a continuation of historical patterns of oppression. By banning books, restricting curricula, and attacking diversity initiatives, these policies aim to sever our connection to the resilience and achievements of our ancestors. They attempt to make us a people without a past, making it easier to accept our current marginalized status as natural, rather than the result of a deliberate, violent system.

We must understand that our history is not a favor to be granted by the mainstream; it is a right to be claimed and preserved by us. It's our legacy, our guide, and our strength. Here is how we take ownership of our history and combat its erasure:

• Become Our Own Archivists: We must actively document and preserve our stories, both personal and collective. This includes interviewing elders, digitizing family photos, and creating community archives. We have the technology to make our history accessible. We must use it.

  
  

• Support and Build Our Own Institutions: Museums, libraries, and cultural centers dedicated to Black history are critical. We must financially support organizations like the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Schomburg Center, and local Black historical societies. They are the guardians of our collective memory.

  
  

• Control the Narrative in Our Homes and Communities: The first line of defense is in our own homes. We are responsible for teaching our children their history, celebrating our culture, and instilling in them a strong sense of identity. This grassroots education is immune to legislative attacks.

  
  

• Leverage Our Economic and Political Power: We must support Black-owned businesses, creators, and publishers who are telling our stories. We must also use our vote to elect representatives who will protect and advocate for inclusive education and policies that recognize our full humanity.

  
  

• Center Black Joy as an Act of Resistance: The fight for our history isn't just about pain and struggle. It is also about our joy, our creativity, and our triumphs. By celebrating Black joy, we are actively rejecting the narrative that our lives are defined by suffering. This is a powerful act of defiance and a reclamation of our full humanity.

  
  

Our history is not just a record of the past; it is the blueprint for our future. We are not asking for permission to exist; we are asserting our right to be fully seen, heard, and understood. By owning our narrative, we are not only preserving our history—we are securing our legacy for generations to come.

We are proud to share that BAM Talent is working within our walls to preserve the sacred nature of historic honesty for all of us and our posterity. This is more than a mission; it's a commitment to ensuring that the stories of our triumphs, struggles, and resilience are told accurately and with the dignity they deserve.

We invite you to join us on this journey. As our upcoming media, documentaries, and creative projects are released, we encourage you to engage with them. Your participation—by watching, sharing, and discussing—is a vital part of this work.

Together, we can ensure our stories are not just heard, but are a permanent part of the human story.