Black History Month

Written by Connie Summers, Chief People and Culture Officer

Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on who we are as a nation—and who we have always been.

The United States of America is not a single story. It is a mosaic. Any attempt to erase identities outside of Europeans who arrived on these shores hundreds of years ago—while excluding Indigenous peoples, individuals kidnapped and enslaved from the African continent, and immigrants from across the world who helped build railroads, infrastructure, and communities—is both historically inaccurate and rooted in the mistaken belief that difference is something to be feared or diminished.

Difference has never been our weakness. It has been our superpower.

The diversity of lived experiences, cultures, and perspectives in this country has fueled innovation, genius, and problem-solving—contributing not only to advances that strengthened our nation, but also to ideas and solutions that have impacted the world. From science and medicine to art, literature, technology, and social progress, differences have expanded what is possible.

Black History Month is a time to pause and remember the essential role Black Americans have played—and continue to play—in shaping this nation. It is a time to honor the mosaic of Black inventors, writers, artists, scientists, advocates, and leaders whose contributions are inseparable from American history.

At Compass Health, this understanding matters deeply. Our mission calls us to provide equitable, compassionate care to individuals and families of all backgrounds. Recognizing the full history of our country—and the ways systems have both uplifted and marginalized communities—helps us better understand the barriers many people face in accessing care today. It strengthens our commitment to listening, to learn, and to continuously improve how we serve our communities.

As we reflect during Black History Month, we are reminded that equity in healthcare is not optional, it is essential. Honoring the past informs how we show up in the present and guides our responsibility to ensure dignity, respect, and access to quality care for everyone.