Trump spent that month abolishing decades of diversity efforts throughout the federal government and beyond, removing many Black employees from the federal workforce, and leading a culture war on “woke” diversity, equity and inclusion policies he disparaged as “dangerous” and “immoral” race-based programs.

President Donald Trump marked Black History Month at the White House on Thursday, preserving a tradition by holding a reception at the same time that his executive order ending the federal government's diversity,

Mwatabu Okantah was at Kent State when Black History Month was first celebrated. He reflects on the groundwork laid and why it still matters.