In honor of Black History Month, we reflect on innumerable accomplishments and the legacy of Black Americans who were faced with their own “this or that” moments—choosing courage over comfort, vision over limitation, purpose over permission, and the longevity of legacy over the temporary thrills of self-indulgence and gratification.

From faith leaders and writers to entrepreneurs, creatives, and change-makers, Black history is filled with examples of people who trusted God and moved forward despite uncertainty—positioning themselves for triumph despite the atrocities.

We also discuss how we as Black Americans, today, can look to accomplish new goals, new dreams, new ideas, new business ventures, and new levels of faith—and challenge ourselves (and you) to ask the hard question:

When history looks back at us and our generation ...