History is full of firsts
the first election in which blacks could vote
the first black student at a previously racially segregated school
the first black president of the United States of America.
It is easy to forget about the first
and the power that a "first" holds
but we can never forget.
I am grateful to the firsts
for allowing the many to be able to follow.
When the first slaves arrived here
including my ancestor, Kunta Kinte,
I know they could never have imagined
what their firsts would bring.
They would be proud to know all the firsts
that have been accomplished by our people
They would be proud to see that we continue
to explore and become firsts of our own
They would be proud to realize that we will always
continue to be firsts and never allow there to be a last.