At the Northwest African American Museum, our mission is to draw on Black heritage to cultivate healing and hope for all. At a time when our society faces deep divides and urgent challenges, we believe courage must be our collective compass. Courage is more than facing uncomfortable truths; it is the resolve to act on them. It is the spirit that carries civil rights leaders across bridges under threat of violence, the resilience that fuels artists to create truth through their work, and the strength of everyday people to stand for justice in their neighborhoods. Courage turns history from static memory into a living force for change.

That is why courage is the theme of this year’s Unity Benefit. This gathering is both a tribute and a call: to honor the sacrifice and strength of those who shaped history, to uplift the artists whose work sparks social change, and to join NAAM in advancing this legacy. Now is the moment to recommit to truth-telling. Together, with courage as our guide, we can shape a future rooted in honesty, hope, and healing for all.