For the month of February, WE are celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting African Americans in journalism who have taken a stand, made their voices heard and and shaped our country for the better.

Marc Lamont Hill

Had a great time at the Bookmarks Festival with the brilliant scholar and former Spelman College President Beverly Tatum. Our public conversation on race left me feeling inspired and hopeful. What a day!

A post shared by Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) on Sep 9, 2017 at 12:36pm PDT

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning journalist, distinguished professor, political commentator and social justice activist and organizer. Dr. Hill is hailed as one of the most influential Black leaders in the country, and his work with My5th - a non-profit that educates youth about their legal rights and responsibilities - and the ACLU Drug Reform Project has been life-changing for many. You can watch Dr. Hill on BET News, VH1 Live, and CNN. Or, pick up a copy of his latest book, "Nobody: Casualties of America’s War on The Vulnerable from Ferguson to Flint and Beyond," which might just be one of the year’s most important books for Black Americans.

Jemele Hill

Had an opportunity to talk to so many talented and gifted people at the #NAACPImageAwards. I was inspired and uplifted by them. Special shout-out to the cast of Dear White People, many of whom I met last night. TRUE STORY: I’ve been asked how I spent my vacation. The answer is binge-watching Dear White People. Smart, thoughtful show.

A post shared by Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) on Jan 16, 2018 at 9:31am PST

Jemele Hill is a veteran journalist and ESPN “SportsCenter” host who has become the face of resistance. The outspoken journalist was suspended last year after tweeting that NFL fans could boycott advertisers and vendors associated with the Dallas Cowboys, whose owner, Jerry Jones, said his players will stand for the national anthem or be benched. She had also called President Trump a “white supremacist” after he criticized NFL players for kneeling. Jemele stated that she deserved her suspension for violating ESPN’s policies and apologized for putting them in the middle of a political controversy. However, she stood behind her original feelings: something that many public figures shy away from after widespread backlash. You do you, Jemele!

Van Jones

Amazing conversation with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. He said it ALL!! ... 7pm ET @cnn TONIGHT!!! ... He talked about everything from therapy (!!!), to the twins, to Trump, to Colin Kaepernick, to Meek Mill, to why he fought so hard to save his marriage. #BlownAway #VanJonesShow

A post shared by Van Jones (@vanjones68) on Jan 27, 2018 at 1:42pm PST

Van Jones is a Yale-educated attorney turned CNN commentator and activist. He has been named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and has been the recipient of the NAACP President’s Award. In 2009, Jones served as a Special Advisor to President Obama for green jobs; a fitting position given his numerous social and environmental justice enterprises. Today, Jones is building what he calls a #LoveArmy through his organization The Dream Corps. His aim is to fight the divisiveness that has become so prevalent in our country since the 2016 election by growing a network of people who will learn how to make a difference, party with a purpose and help move our country forward.

Angela Rye

I got to #sundancefilmfestival with #Blackhouse yesterday, which means I got some dope photos from @erikumphery! ✊?

A post shared by Angela Rye (@angelarye) on Jan 22, 2018 at 8:16am PST

Named for scholar and activist Angela Yvonne Davis (who was best known for her work with the Black Panther Party), Angela Rye knows that she has a lot to live up to. And so far, she’s sure to have made her namesake proud. Ms. Rye is a CNN political correspondent, a political analyst for NPR and CEO of the political advocacy firm, IMPACT Strategies. She is also a former Congressional Black Caucus executive director and general counsel. Her parents raised her to be proud of her heritage, and today, Angela is spearheading a campaign called #OurBlackIsBeautiful which supports a threefold concept - #BuyBlack, #BankBlack and #GiveBlack - which encourages those in the black community to support each other. Way to go, Angela!

WE will be celebrating Black History all month long! For more articles, videos and events, click here!