Celebrating Black History Month with Team Member Stories of Inspiration
February 14th, 2024
Black History Month invites each of us to learn (and share!) remarkable stories of resilience, courage, and achievement of the Black community – from historical figures to the people and leaders who inspire us today.
At Monument, we are excited to help amplify that inspiration – so we invited team members to share their own personal stories of the people who inspire them – whether it’s someone from history, contemporary leaders, or even the friends and mentors in their lives. Let’s hear from two of our team members!
Chelete Burnett, Human Resources Manager
“Michelle Obama has inspired me since she became the first lady over ten years ago, because she has done so much for black and female representation. Being the first African American first lady ever shows black women we can, and we did! This moment in history was monumental for American politics – and also for young girls. Michelle, like me, is a mom who empowers young girls to reach their full potential. Plus, we both share a love for fashion! I have been blessed with the ability to earn my MBA, and education has made a positive difference in my life – opening doors and giving me many skills to be successful. We need more black people to have these opportunities, and Michelle Obama’s advocacy for better access to education for the Black community continues to inspire me.”
DorShann R Lewis, Accounting Manager:
“My great grandmother and grandmother are the ‘historical’ figures who motivate me! They worked through the challenges of the early 1900s to be productive women. My great grandmother was born in Del Rio, Texas. She left at the age of 16 with her young daughter and moved to New York City. She worked as a cook in what is now the Historic Essex Hotel in Central Park. She always worked hard to provide for her family, eventually saving enough money to move to the Midwest. She used the connections she built in the hotel industry to continue her cooking career at the Claypool Hotel in Indianapolis. She taught my grandmother what determination, grit, and perseverance look like – and helped her navigate the racial inequalities that were ever present in the 1930s and beyond!
“My current inspiration is my classmate and sorority sister, Clarice (Claire) Phelps. She is an American Scientist and the first African American woman to be involved with the discovery of an element. She discovered Tennessine – element 117. She was part of a three-month process to purify 22 mg of berkelium-249, which was shipped to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and combined with calcium-48 in a fusion reaction to create Tennessine, which is now part of the periodic table.”
This month and always, let’s continue to share stories of the Black leaders, innovators, and mentors – in history, in the news today, or in our lives – who inspire us. These spotlights not only celebrate the rich tapestry of Black history but also serve as a testament to the enduring strength and triumph of the Black community. Keep sharing – including in the comments below. We’d love to hear your own stories of inspiration!