black history month

I recently learned about a wonderful celebration of Black Women in Fashion at Macy’s, featuring an incredible design by my friend, Evetta Petty, the owner of Harlem’s Heaven Hats. This is a magical, meaningful, glamorous, and empowering showcase of women of color’s significant contributions to fashion during Black History Month.

Her fabulous design is on display to help showcase the impactful contributions of Black trailblazing women in the fashion industry.

The window displays feature illustrations by Brooklyn based artist Ashley Buttercup and fashion Madamette X, House of Aama, BruceGlen, Kaphill, Oak & Acorn –Only The Rebelles and High Fashion Thrift, and honor groundbreaking figures who paved the way in fashion despite facing significant challenges.

I was particularly moved by the stories of influential women like Eunice Johnson, who not only broke racial barriers in media and fashion but also worked tirelessly to uplift her community.

Evetta’s hat is dedicated to Mildred Blount, a remarkable milliner famous for her stunning designs, including those for Gone With The Wind.

It’s amazing to think about the legacy of figures like Zelda Wynn Valdes, who was the first Black designer to open a boutique on Broadway, and Ophelia Devore, who was a trailblazing model and one of the first to advocate for diversity in modeling.

Ann Lowe also stands out as a designer who created elegant pieces for some of America’s most notable figures, including Jacqueline Kennedy.

Lastly, Lois K. Alexander Lane made significant contributions to fashion and community advocacy.

It’s a beautiful way to honor their achievements and remember the strength and creativity of Black women in fashion history! If you have a chance, definitely go see these window displays; they’re a true inspiration.

Divabetic returns to Philadlephia with a free diabetes outreach program in partnership with the Frazier Family. Coalition on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Black History Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges facing Black people in managing diabetes so we can work towards creating a healthcare system that is fair, equitable, and inclusive.

In 2019, non-Hispanic blacks were twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to die from diabetes, reports the Office of Monthly Health.

In 2018, African American adults were 60 percent more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician, reports the Office of Monthly Health.

NIH Research reports a study stating that biological risk factors—including weight and fat around the abdomen—are primarily responsible for higher rates of diabetes for black Americans compared with white Americans. Sadly, the impacts of biased healthcare providers and lack of access to diabetes technology only add to the burden of staying on track with self-care.

It’s essential to recognize the contributions made by Black people to medicine, science, and research. Black History Month reminds us to celebrate and acknowledge their achievements. We can learn from their experiences and work towards a brighter future where everyone has equal opportunities and access to healthcare.

Let’s come together and challenge our systems to make changes that benefit everyone. Diabetes doesn’t discriminate, and neither should our healthcare system. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to create a world where everyone can access the care they need to manage and prevent diabetes.

Excerpts from Beyond Type 1’s Why Is Black History Month Important In The Diabetes Community? Written by Lala Jackson.

Tag: black history month

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