As we gather this Thanksgiving season, I reflect on a West African proverb: “The young will look back at the old to learn how to walk.” This timeless wisdom reminds us of the importance of looking back—of honoring the legacies of our ancestors to guide our steps forward. For African Americans, this connection is not just a choice but a necessity, one that nurtures resilience, unity, and the healing of generational wounds.
When I think about some of the transformative minds of our history – Marcus Garvey, Henrietta Lacks, Gil Scott-Heron – I feel both inspired and saddened. Many of our youth have never been introduced to these icons or the brilliance of their stories. Yet, their lives are beacons of courage, creativity, and the power to change the world. Imagine what our young people could accomplish if they were given the tools to connect with these narratives: a renewed sense of pride, purpose, and an unshakable belief in their ability to rebuild and reimagine the future.
Through the TAP/AACCI (African American Culture and Contemporary Issues) program at William Fleming High School in Roanoke, VA, I work to reconnect our youth to this sacred knowledge. The program is rooted in the understanding that honoring our ancestors is not just about remembering – it’s about becoming. It’s about embodying the strength, vision, and resilience of those who came before us, using their lessons as blueprints for rebuilding our communities and reclaiming our narratives.
For African Americans, culture, history, and wellness are interconnected. They serve as tools of healing for minds and hearts shaped by the weight of historical and ongoing trauma. I have come to understand that embracing these pillars is an act of self-preservation and resistance. By reconnecting to our roots, we don’t just bridge the past and present; we create pathways for a collective and transformative future.
This work, however, is not without its challenges. Our communities face the heavy burden of generational trauma – wounds passed down like unspoken stories. But as a people, we also carry an unbreakable spirit of resilience. Healing begins when we acknowledge this duality: the pain we’ve inherited and the power we possess to overcome it.
This Thanksgiving let us meditate on the obstacles we’ve faced and the progress we’ve made. Let us celebrate the fighting spirit that has brought us this far and continues to push us forward. This is the spirit that drives us to confront our pain, heal our families, and create opportunities for our children to thrive.
Our youth are not just the inheritors of our legacy – they are its architects. They hold the potential to transform not only themselves but also their communities. But this transformation requires guidance, intention, and the planting of seeds that will bear fruit for generations to come.
The challenges our young people face today are immense: isolation in the digital age, societal pressures, and disconnection from their roots. Yet, the solution lies in reconnecting them to the wisdom of the past. By teaching them about the struggles and triumphs of those who came before, we remind them that they, too, have the power to rise above adversity.
This is the heart of the AACCI program’s mission: to nurture culturally responsive, healing-centered spaces where young people can rediscover their identity, embrace their heritage, and step into their greatness.
As we sit around the table this Thanksgiving, let us reflect on the torch of change passed down to us by our ancestors. Let us remember that healing starts with us—not just as individuals, but also as a collective. It begins in our kitchens, our classrooms, and our conversations. It starts with how we nurture our bodies, minds, and spirits and how we teach the next generation to do the same.
This Thanksgiving let us be intentional about planting seeds of transformation. Share the stories of inspiring ancestors. Create spaces for dialogue and reflection. Commit to actions that heal, uplift, and empower. Most importantly, remind our youth that they are the living branches of a mighty tree, rooted in resilience and reaching for the sky.
