
Although we celebrate our history every day, for many, Black History Month serves as a period for reflection—a moment for the world to pause and examine the breadth of our history and contributions to society.
Our contributions are profound. The work of civil rights activists who challenged the social contracts of this country, legal scholars who litigated against the institutional deprivation of human rights, innovators and businessmen who enriched the American economy, and young black and brown children who in the face of physical violence, unwavering and resolute, paved the way for the desegregation of schools in the American South. I can go on, and on.
These stories, depicted in literature, passed down by our griots, and narrated by those who lived it, invoke emotions akin to reverence and veneration. Yet, we must maintain our perspective, for Black History is made every day. It's Dr. Tiffany Anderson, the first Black superintendent of Topeka, Kansas–the birthplace of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, it's Kizzmekia Corbett–one of the brain trusts of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, or the “Black Girl Magic” dynamic duo of Johnson and Jackson, the young mathematicians from Louisiana who solved a 2,000-year-old rule.
Our history is a living narrative, it is not a static repository that gains dust and is cherished from a distance. The challenge, then, is not to solely mull over the triumphs of the past but to meet the contemporary obstacles that demand an existential volume of collectivism. Although the full scope remains murky, the signs of looming challenges in this country are unmistakable. The evolving climate of the country suggests significant threats to Black institutions, history, and our role in it. To meet such challenges, we must draw inspiration and pride from those around us; our teachers, our local community leaders, and organizations within our communities that seek to advance the interest of the vulnerable.
The Reeds Fund, for example, is dedicated to improving health equity for individuals with autism. Since its inception, the Fund has made significant strides: awarding over $3,000 in scholarships, providing free consultations to families with autistic members, and hosting community events that have engaged over 100 Baltimore residents.
This organization has long operated as a pillar of support to some of the most socially vulnerable people in Maryland. However, as I celebrate this year's Black History Month, I think of my great uncle Perry Benjamin Hall.

Perry, who grew up in Baltimore, Maryland during the 1950s and 1960s, lived with autism at a time when the condition was rarely acknowledged. Despite limited resources and societal insensitivity, Perry thrived. He attended Dunbar High School but left in the 9th grade. He was a beloved community member, known for his passion for reading, drawing, writing, and Black history. He meticulously documented our family's history for future generations.
Perry's story isn't just about him; it's a testament to the resilience of Black individuals with autism. His journey is intertwined with my sister's experience with autism and has shaped my path. In his late 20s and early 30s, Perry worked in custodial services at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Little did he know that decades later, his great-nephew would be a graduate of Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
While Perry's community and family recognized his disability, he never received a formal diagnosis. This experience is reflective of the systemic challenges that still face the Black autistic community today.
Perry’s story is one of the many motors that drive the Reeds Fund today. In a period where those who govern align themselves with ideologies, practices, and policies that reject inclusivity, scoff at diversity and lack empathy–it is important for us to support organizations on the local and state levels that aim to fill the gaps.
In these times, putting your support behind organizations like the Reeds Fund is not just an act of generosity, it's about self-preservation.
To learn more about the Reeds Fund and our impactful work in the Baltimore community, please visit us at reedsfund.org.
Comments