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February gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to Black American culture, history, and achievements as we celebrate Black History Month. Senior Compliance Specialist Deastina Lucas shares her insight to help shed light on the Black experience and how to be stronger allies for the Black community.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
A time to celebrate and learn about a rich culture, heritage, and group of people who are vast, unique, strong, and powerful.
What would you recommend to a person seeking to be a stronger ally for the Black community?
Listen and observe. The Black community has been living these real-life experiences for centuries and to truly understand there needs to be empathy and a level of open communication around learning about those experiences.
Is there someone in your family you look up to? Have they ever shared stories about how growing up in a different generation? How has that impacted you today?
Yes, my grandmother. She told me stories of all the hardships that she went through in a different generation, in which we still are not that far removed from today. Those stories have made me work harder to ensure we do not continue to repeat the past.
What is the most significant lesson you’ve learned from your life experiences thus far?
Keep going! No matter what life has thrown at me, all I must do is keep going!
Are you a part of any Black organizations? How has being a part of the organization made an impact on you or the community?
I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Membership in this organization has allowed me to form and foster lifetime relationships (both personally and professionally) with other Black women, all of whom have the common goal of promoting service to our community.
