21 Inspiring Quotes From Black Leaders From Throughout American History The words of these 21 individuals will inspire you to do more.
By Rose Leadem
Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
Originally published on Feb. 21, 2018
From Oprah Winfrey to Maya Angelou to Booker T. Washington, African American leaders and BIZ Experiencess past and present have made great strides toward creating a better world. These black leaders and BIZ Experiencess have long battled, and continue to, many obstacles with odds stacked against them.
Related: 5 Ways to Make a Mark on the World Like Oprah Winfrey
Throughout a history of oppression, these individuals have shown resilience and achieved success during times of adversity. That's why February, Black History Month, is dedicated to identifying and praising these leaders who have created positive change and impact.
To learn more, here are 21 inspiring quotes from some of the most successful African American BIZ Experiencess and leaders throughout history and today.
Jason LaVeris | Getty ImagesOprah Winfrey
"You have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way, can illuminate the world."
Paul Morigi | Getty ImagesStevie Wonder
"You can't base your life on other people's expectations."
FPG | Getty ImagesFrederick Douglass
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
Gregory Shamus | Getty ImagesMichael Jordan
"I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
Related: 8 Quotes on Motivation, Hard Work and More from Basketball Legend Michael Jordan
Michael Ochs Archives | Getty ImagesMadam C.J. Walker
"I got my start by giving myself a start."
Reginald F. Lewis
"Keep going, no matter what."
Frazer Harrison | Getty ImagesQuincy Jones
"Imagine what a harmonious world could be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at."
Stephen F. Somerstein | Getty ImagesMartin Luther King Jr.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Chesnot | Getty ImagesBarack Obama
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some time. We are the ones we've been waiting for."
Related: 10 Barack Obama Quotes on Hard Work, Success, Motivation and More
John Shearer | Getty ImagesMuhammad Ali
"Don't count the days, make the days count."
Bettmann | Getty ImagesMalcolm X
"Stumbling is not falling."
Riccardo S. Savi | Getty ImagesMaya Angelou
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style."
Historical | Getty ImagesShirley Chisholm
"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas."
Library of Congress | Getty ImagesBooker T. Washington
"Character, not circumstances, makes the man."
Allan Grant | Getty ImagesJackie Robinson
"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life."
Related: 10 of the Most Successful African-American BIZ Experiencess
Photo 12 | Getty ImagesGeorge Washington Carver
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."
Ted Thai | Getty ImagesJames Baldwin
"The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in."
Franck Fife | Getty ImagesToni Morrison
"If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."
Bettmann | Getty ImagesThurgood Marshall
"Each of you, as an individual, must pick your own goals. Listen to others, but do not become a blind follower."
Related: They're Doing It: Awe-Inspiring African American Female BIZ Experiencess
Jason LaVeris | Getty ImagesDiana Ross
"You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself."
Paras Griffin | Getty ImagesSpike Lee
"I think people who have faults are a lot more interesting than people who are perfect."
Marcus Ingram | Getty ImagesRobert F. Smith
Robert F. Smith, billionaire investor and founder of Vista Equity Partners, addressed Morehouse College's graduating class on Sunday and included a shocking announcement -- that his family would start a grant to eliminate their student loans, which could reportedly total upwards of $10 million.
"Let's make sure every class has the same opportunity going forward, because we are enough to take care of our own community," Smith said. "We are enough to ensure we have all of the opportunities of the American dream, and we will show it to each other through our actions and through our words and through our deeds."
