The Legacy of Inclusion: How Black Americans Expanded Rights and Opportunity for All

The struggle for the unseen to be recognized and celebrated has deep roots and is shared by many groups in our nation.

As one of the first heritage months, Black History Month honors and celebrates the often-overlooked achievements of Black Americans throughout U.S. history. Among these great achievements is the critical role Black Americans have played in advancing inclusivity in America. 

At Upwardly Global, our mission is to drive a more inclusive workplace and open up opportunities for more people in this country. We know our work would not be possible without the contributions of Black Americans, so we’re looking back through history to celebrate some of those moments that have shaped our movement, strengthened our democracy, and expanded opportunity for generations to come.

The 14^thAmendment

Before the Civil War, the Supreme Court had ruled that Blacks had no rights under the Constitution, and the end of the war did not secure these rights. After slavery ended, “Black Laws” were passed in Southern states to restrict economic progress and mobility for Black people. Black Americans organized and resisted, forcing the nation to confront its injustice.

Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection and due process under the law. Through the persistence and civil and political action of Black Americans, freedom and citizenship for all were legitimized through the law.

The Civil Rights Act (1964)

Although the 14^th Amendment guaranteed birthright citizenship, Black Americans still lived under discriminatory laws and practices and faced intimidation and violence when trying to challenge them. Even in the face of this, Black Americans used grassroots organizing to create boycotts, sit-ins, and marches, pushing the issue of civil rights to the doorstep of the White House.

Signed in 1964, the Civil Rights Act made it illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in both the public and private sectors. It is considered one of the most significant and historic legislative achievements in U.S. history.

Along with making discrimination illegal, the Act also restricts discrimination in programs receiving federal aid and prohibits employment discrimination. After decades of discriminatory practices and Jim Crow laws, the Civil Rights Act created a more inclusive landscape for all those who reside in America, no matter where they come from.

The Voting Rights Act (1965)

The Voting Rights Act (VRA) eliminated state-level barriers, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, and banned any practices that result in discrimination based on race, color, or language-minority status. 

The Voting Rights Act was a direct response to “Bloody Sunday” and other violent suppression of civil rights activists during voting rights marches. As a result of the bravery of Black activists, the VRA granted equal access to the ballot box for all Americans.

Abolishing Racial Quotas

The Immigration Act of 1924 required a quota system for certain nationalities and privileged Western European migration to the U.S. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) was signed in 1965, at the height of the civil rights movement. This Act abolished the quota system and equalized immigration opportunities for groups that previously faced discriminatory immigration practices. Through Black Americans’ fight for equal treatment, the removal of quota systems extended far beyond its immediate impact, enabling more diverse populations to shape our society.

The Fair Housing Act (1968)

One of the paths to generational wealth is homeownership. Redlining was a systematic, historically biased practice of denying mortgages, insurance, and financial services to residents based on race or ethnicity.  It was a standard government-backed practice implemented by the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation in the 1930s.

A later amendment of the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, made it illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, or national origin. For so many immigrants, housing is a key moment in the journey towards making the United States their home, and it would not be possible without the advocacy that led to policies like these.

History is more than an accumulation of past events.  It’s a barometer of current events and can be a forecaster for the future. Black History is intertwined throughout America’s 250-year existence and continues to strive for the completion of “a more perfect union.”

The contributions of Black Americans are foundational to the freedoms, protections, and opportunities we experience today. By honoring these contributions, we not only recognize the past but reaffirm our responsibility to continue building a more inclusive future for all.