ACDIS update: Diversity and Inclusion Committee celebrates Black History Month

As you may know, February marks Black History Month, a commemorative month which began as a way of remembering the people and events of the African diaspora. To mark this important month with our ACDIS community, we asked the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to offer some thoughts on the importance of the month. Here’s what they had to say:

• ”Black History Month is observed to commemorate the achievements and triumphs of African Americans. African Americans are critical to the history and background of the United States. We built landmarks, buildings, highways, infrastructures, and countless inventions that shape our current economy and livelihood. It is important that we do not erase this rich history but celebrate achievements of the first and forgotten inventors.”
• “Black History Month is a time to reflect on and honor the contributions, struggles and resilience of Black individuals throughout history.”
• “I believe is it important to celebrate our heritages and constantly remind ourselves of our history. Our history forms the foundation of who we are and how we are in the present. Celebrating the African American community during Black History Month is significant as it highlights the resilience, strength, beauty, positive achievements, and progress in the African American community. In the CDI space, we have a diverse workforce which carries that same resilience, integrity, and diligence as stewards of clinical documentation integrity. I am blessed to have worked with some amazing African Americans in the CDI/HIM space and as a person of color myself, I beam with pride knowing that we are not letting our ancestors down. Black History Month, while it comes with mixed feelings, is one worth celebrating and reminds us to look forward to a better tomorrow.”
• “To me, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions, struggles, and resilience of Black people throughout history. While I am not Black myself, I see this as a great opportunity to listen and learn, especially since I live in a predominantly white area where opportunities for understanding might be limited. Black History Month encourages me to recognize how Black individuals have shaped history, culture, and progress, as well as highlight injustices in the past and present. This is a great reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion and how much work still needs to be accomplished, particularly during these polarized and challenging times.”

We hope you’re taking a moment to mark this month with your departments and personally!

Editor’s note: Interested in learning more about upcoming months of recognition/celebration and holidays across cultures? Check out the 2025 calendar created by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee available to ACDIS members!