February is Black History Month, a celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to this country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice.
In the below video, Blue Cross&reg; Blue Shield&reg; of Arizona employee and member of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Council brings to light major topics in the history of healthcare that impact all of us today, including disparities African Americans are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;
 
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Kathryn Mattson, Small Group Sales Director at BCBSAZ talks about the importance of Black History Month for her and her family, &ldquo;As a mom of two bi-racial children, Black History Month represents a time to celebrate and acknowledge all of the great contributions African Americans have made throughout history. Often times, we&rsquo;re bombarded with negative images and messages about people of color and the positive messages are overshadowed. Black History Month gives us ALL a chance to take a moment to feel good and proud of the many accomplishments of African Americans. 
It allows us to remember and appreciate African American pioneers who have paved the way for a world where we no longer have a race of people held in bondage, Jim Crow laws, or a society where Black Americans are completely denied access to schools, housing, and health care. Black History Month gives us hope that we can build a better world and create unlimited possibilities for the future.&rdquo;

Celebrating Black History Month