In the wise words of Morgan Freeman, “Black History is American history,” and it ought to be taught and celebrated in every classroom. So we put together this list of amazing quotes from several important figures in history. Feel free to print them out and hang them on your bulletin boards for daily inspiration, introduce them to spark conversation, or during warm-up before reading a book or story about Black history.

1. Frederick Douglass – Orator

Black History Month Quotes - Frederick Douglas - it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men

2. Michelle Obama – Former First Lady of the United States

Black History Month Quotes- Michelle Obama - History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own

3. Unknown

Black History Month Quotes- racial superiority is a mere pigment of the imagination

4. Mary McLeod Bethune – Educator

Black History Month Quotes- Mary McLeod Bethune - For I am my mother's daughter, and the drums of Africa still beat in my heart.

5. Rosa Parks – Activist

Black History Month Quotes- Rosa Parks - The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.

6. Harriet Tubman – Abolitionist

Black History Month Quotes - Harriet Tubman - Every great dream begins with a dreamer, always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

7. Thurgood Marshall – Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Black History Month Quotes- Thurgood Marshall - In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pat ourselves the highest tribute.

8. Morgan Freeman – Actor

Black History Month Quotes- Morgan Freeman - Black history is American history.

9. Martin Luther King Jr. – Minister

Black History Month Quotes- Martin Luther King - We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

10. Coretta Scott King – Author

Black History Month Quotes- Coretta Scott King - Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.

11. Dr. Mae Jemison – Engineer

Black History Month Quotes- Dr Mae Jemison - Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations.

12. Franklin A. Thomas – Businessman

Black History Month Quotes- Franklin A Thomas - One day our descendants will think it's incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.

13. Maya Angelou – Poet

Black History Month Quotes- Maya Angelou - Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.

14. Ralph Ellison – Novelist

Black History Month Quotes- Ralph Ellison - I am not ashamed of my grandparents for having been slaves. I am only ashamed of myself for having at one time been ashamed.

15. Zora Neale Hurston – Author

Black History Month Quotes- Zora Neale Hurston - Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry, it merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me.

16. Carol Moseley Braun – Former US Senator

Black History Month Quotes- Carol Moseley Braun - It's not impossible for a woman — a black woman — to become president.

17. Barbara Jordan – Lawyer

Black History Month Quotes - Carol Moseley Braun - Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.

18. James Baldwin – Novelist

Black History Month Quotes - James Baldwin - I love America more than any other country and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.

19. Nelson Mandela – Former President of South Africa

Black History Month Quotes - Nelson Mandela - Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

20. Marian Wright Edelman – President of the Children’s Defense Fund

Black History Month Quotes - Marian Wright Edelman - Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.

21. Denzel Washington – Actor

Black History Month Quotes - Denzel Washington - I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic makeup, but it's not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question.

22. Ola Joseph – Author, Speaker, Trainer

Black History Month Quotes - Ola Joseph - Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness.

23. Colin Powell – Former United States National Security Advisor

Black History Month Quotes- Colin Powell - There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

24. Alice Walker – Novelist

Alice Walker - This is a wonderful planet, and it is being completely destroyed by people who have too much money and power and no empathy.

25. Langston Hughes – Poet

Black History Month Quotes - Langston Hughes - Bored Teachers

Which are your favorites? Tell us in the comments!