This Black History Month, we invited the talented poet and visionary Toni Blackman to tell us about the Black women we need to know who are making strides for their communities today.

Get to know the following Black women changemakers:

Florence Avognon, the passionate educator who teaches incarcerated youth and was the 2012 California State Teacher of the Year.

Charmaine Minniefield, a visual artist who is using a feminist perspective to fight gentrification.

Melina Abdullah, one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles chapter.

Dr. Yaba Blay, who created #ProfessionalBlackGirl to center black women voices through #PrettyPeriod. 

Share these videos with your family and friends on social media, and follow us @PeaceisLoud as we share the work of these powerful women!