Celebrating Black History Month within Best Buddies

 Celebrating Black History Month 

within Best Buddies 

Best Buddies celebrates everyone's differences and unique abilities. Its very mission is to spread inclusion into every corner of the world. Sometimes, however, people may forget that the Best Buddies mission is to accept EVERYTHING and EVERYONE even outside of the IDD world. This includes acceptation regardless of race, background, religion, culture, or gender. 

Every person has layers to them. We all have different aspects of ourselves that make us unique and one of a kind. That's why it is important to highlight and recognize every part of someone's background. Even if we are Best Buddies, we need to learn about the stories of people's identities outside of IDDs. 

For this story, YLC blogs spoke to the incredible Jared Atkins, a Best Buddies State Ambassador from Texas. Jared also serves as the Co-Chair of the Houston Student Advisory Board and is a renowned speaker. 

When asked about his view of Black History month, Jared responded: 

"I want to use my voice and let people hear what I have to say." 

He also shared, 

"Being an African American person with an IDD, I noticed a lot of people don't know about Black History Month. A lot of people don't know about our history and what has happened in the old days. 

Many people think it's just another month. Why are we celebrating it? "

"Black History Month is for people to understand that we as African American people are like everyone else and we want to be celebrated for those who came before us."

"We need to recognize people like Martin Luther King Jr and the heroic actions that brought us to where we are today." 

"If you have a black family member or friend, you should take time to know their history." 

"When you first join Best Buddies it's more of a family that you can do stuff with, but then you get a different perspective about people."  

"At the end of the day we have super powers and we are all unique in our own way.  If you see someone with a disability just talk to them!" 

"Best Buddies is a safe space where you can speak your truth and spread awareness about what the Best Buddies community is."

Here at Best Buddies and on the YLC, we want to spread awareness and share everyone's extraordinary background. During this Black History Month, we encourage you all to learn the stories of those around you and speak your truth like Jared.