Reflections on Black History Month: Donald Smith II

February is Black History Month. For the month of February, we will be sharing a series of spotlights of some of our staff and volunteers in the Black community. This post features Donald Smith II.

I have been a RESULTS volunteer for six months and am now the RESULTS Kentucky Chapter co-leader. I am a senior at the University of Kentucky.

I have been blessed with a lot of advantages though my hardworking parents, which I want to use to help others who haven’t had those advantages. My parents have played a role in giving me passion to be an advocate. My parents have been a pastor and first lady my entire life and seeing them on the front lines inspired me. I watched them serve others, and I know it takes sacrifice to bear the burdens of others. I want to give kids the hope and assistance to be everything they can be. 

Tiffany Yeast has also been a role model of mine. Through her fifteen years of employment with the state, she has imparted her knowledge to me. I am also inspired by people like Charles Booker and Cori Bush who exemplify how a movement which starts in your community can lead to changes in the country, and even the world. Seeing their contributions over the last year inspired me to join RESULTS to create change by influencing our elected officials. 

We should celebrate Black people’s contributions to advocacy because it inspires the next generation to keep fighting. It is a ray of light which holds hope for self-realization and a purposeful life. Our ancestors fought hard when they were only considered 3/5ths of a person, so it is our duty to continue the work they initiated. As we strive to open new doors of opportunities, homage should be extended to those before us recognizing their sacrifices made on behalf of future generations. Though we still have a long way to go, we have come so far from where we were. Celebrating Black advocates inspires the next generation to keep moving forward.