______________________________________

Dasher Dialogue remarks by Sharon Adams:

I’m delighted to be with you today. Your leading question “Why We Need A Black History Month” and questions about my journey of service afforded me an opportunity to be reflective and now responsive. I would like to provide a few remarks and then open our gathering to a conversation.

 

I believe, we, as Americans, can become more compassionate and appreciative when we are aware of our personal heritage and cultural achievements. And also, benefit greatly by being knowledgeable of the journey and achievements of the diverse cultures that comprise the heritage of America. Therefore, this practice of celebrating history and achievement is not exclusive. It is inclusive. It should not replace a rigorous and inclusive American history curriculum. It is a value added that encourages deeper understanding and shared opportunities to be in right relationships. Americans from diverse countries of origin have given their time and talent to contribute to our American identify, culture and economy. There are several History or Heritage Months celebrations: Black History in February, Irish-American Heritage in March, Asian Pacific American Heritage in May, Caribbean American in June, Hispanic Heritage in September and Indian Heritage in November.

 

 I believe all of these heritage recognitions are poignant opportunities to come together for reflection, understanding and progress.

 

To understand Black Heritage is to grasp the role of slavery in American commerce and political systems. Over a million stolen people worked without freedom or compensation to establish an agricultural economy and build our roads and facilities, including the White House. Later, the Civil War would attempt to correct exploitative systems that were not sustainable. However, in each generation, political systems and commerce have excluded or diminished the value of American Blacks. We are a diaspora of Africans enslaved, coming from various regions and landing in several ports in the Americas.

My DNA test results traced my heritage to several regions, including Mali, Togo and Benin. These ancient regions were known for leaders, artisans, navigators, and astronomers. This made me feel better. You can feel better too, if you chose to understand historical attributes of our diverse cultures.

 

So this month: I’m celebrating the achievements of three black women. They were hidden figures at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia. They were mathematicians. Three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson -- served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.

Amid cruel segregation policies regarding educational access, they helped America dominate space research, and computer technology, carving out a place for themselves as female mathematicians who were also black. Hidden Figures is a movie of their story. The movie is showing at several theaters during Black History Month. I will go see it again. This will make me feel grateful and strong.  You can see it too. It will inform and make you feel better about Black culture and resilience too, if you chose.

 

.

 

Now a few words about my journey:

In 1997, I returned to my childhood neighborhood in zip code 53205. I returned with the intent of restoring my parents’ home. It was a response to a spiritual call to be purposeful. My initial experiences and fact finding revealed neighbors and central city neighborhoods in great pain and isolation.

Beginning in the 1960s, 1000s of homes were demolished, commercial corridors stood void of commerce and too many people suffered from chronic diseases, including diabetics, hypertension and obesity. Interviews with neighbors revealed a longing for the old days when over 200 Black businesses thrived or a hope for better days to come. Much has changed since my work with my husband Larry Adams began in 1997.

There has been over $100m-invested in housing and commercial real estate development. This required overcoming land acquisition and financing challenges. New businesses, providing access to quality food, wellness services and work, are flourishing.

Our practice of collaboration and community engagement produced a model to design and implement quality of life plans. This practice of community engagement and research continues to successfully guide development. However, there is still much to do.  It is complex work, requiring skilled community developers, real estate experts, real time monitoring, institutional, government and private investors. It requires trusted partners. It requires delivering on promises through real estate development to create venues for wellness, work and prosperity.

There are many dedicated to transformative development where people flourish. They are planners and implementers who deliver opportunity for people to thrive in economically diverse communities. I am privileged to work with a new generation of diverse leaders. Ameera with her wholehearted embrace of love and justice is on her journey. Your willingness to engage in a conversation about diversity is courageous.  You make me hopeful.