Nobody Does It Alone

You are not alone.

The Power of Connection in the Black American Journey

In today’s world, it’s common to hear people proudly declare, “I did it by myself.” The idea of being “self-made” is often worn as a badge of honor — a testament to hard work, perseverance, and resilience. But for us as Black Americans, that phrase deserves deeper reflection. Because the truth is this: nobody does it alone.

No one — not one person in history — has ever achieved greatness, success, or even survival entirely on their own. Every victory, every lesson, every breakthrough has roots that stretch beyond the individual. It’s a collective story, shaped by the hands, hearts, and sacrifices of others who came before and stand beside us.

The Myth of “Doing It Alone”

When someone says they “did it by themselves,” what they’re really acknowledging is that they worked hard, overcame obstacles, and perhaps didn’t have much visible help. But that doesn’t mean they did it alone.

Who taught you how to read? Who built the schools you learned in? Who fought for the rights that allowed you to even have a chance at opportunity? Even if no one physically helped you day-to-day, you are still standing on a foundation built by others — ancestors, communities, teachers, strangers, and even those who prayed for a better future without knowing your name.

Black success in America has always been interconnected. From the underground networks that carried enslaved people to freedom, to the cooperative economics that sustained Black Wall Street, to the family members who worked multiple jobs so another could go to college — we are all extensions of one another’s struggle and triumph.

Connection Is Our True Power

The idea of doing it alone is not just false — it’s dangerous. It isolates us. It creates division instead of unity. And for a people who have survived through unity, that’s the opposite of progress.

We’ve always thrived in community. It’s in the way our elders share wisdom, the way neighbors look out for one another, and the way Black churches, barbershops, and community centers serve as pillars of hope and healing. These connections are not weaknesses — they are our strength.

When we acknowledge that we need each other, we honor the truth that life itself is about interdependence. Even the breath you take is shared — given and received through the same air that sustains all life. To live is to be connected.

Your Life Is Bigger Than You

You are not here just for yourself. Every breath, every talent, every dream has a purpose beyond your personal goals. When you uplift yourself, you create a path for someone else to rise. When you heal, you help others heal. When you share wisdom, you plant seeds that can feed generations.

That’s the beauty of being alive — not just existing, but contributing. Our lives may belong to us, but their impact belongs to the world. The energy we emit — whether positive or negative — ripples outward and shapes the lives of others.

So if you’ve achieved something great, celebrate it — but also recognize the unseen hands that helped shape your journey. And if you’re still striving, remember: you are not meant to carry everything alone. You are part of a larger body — a people, a purpose, a legacy.

We Need Each Other to Build the Future

To make the world a better place — for us, for our children, and for those who will come after — we must lean into our connectedness. We must see one another not as competition but as community. The success of one is not a threat to another; it’s proof that the door can open wider.

We rise higher when we lift each other. We become stronger when we stand together. We become unstoppable when we remember that no one does it alone.

So the next time someone says they made it “by themselves,” smile — and remind them of the truth. Remind them that somewhere, someone sacrificed, prayed, built, or believed so that they could stand where they are today.

Because as Black people in America, our power is — and has always been — in our connection.