In light of Black History Month, Athena board director Rhonda Mims reflects on why Black History Month is personal for so many leaders. Rhonda is an experienced executive and board director with vast expertise in public affairs, corporate communications, DEI, corporate social responsibility, and marketing. In addition to sitting on Athena’s board, Rhonda also serves on the boards of Orion Acquisition Corp. and Kymera International.

I’ve been asked recently, what does Black History Month mean to me? My answer: it’s personal. I love learning about African/Black Americans who have overcome significant odds to achieve greatness. African/Black Americans, who many of us have never heard of… the everyday person who does something significant in their community or selflessly helps others.

It reminds me of the MLK Jr quote, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”

I reflect on my southern upbringing all the time and realize just how lucky I am to have been born into such an amazing family. Like many of you, I learned how to be a better person through a truly experiential family education.

I watched my great-grandparents, grandparents, and other relatives consistently serve their local communities and religious organizations. They took care of the less advantaged in their communities, served as advocates for civil rights, and taught me so much about the power of the vote.

I watched them take clothes or supplies to those impacted by a home fire, serve actively in their local NAACP Chapters, serve on boards or advisory committees for HBCUs, and serve as keynote speakers.

I must admit one of my most vivid memories is going to the voting polls with my grandparents. The list of civic service is endless.

Experiential education was a part of my everyday life. It helped groom me to become a social justice warrior, and taught me to speak out when I see something fundamentally unfair. Equity and integrity are not buzzwords for me. They are core to who I am, in large part due to my ancestry. For that, I am choosing to acknowledge all of them for their moment in creating black history.

Happy Black History Family. You achieved against the odds.