Black History Month Spotlight: Honoring Voices That Shaped Language

Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the large impact that Black leaders, thinkers, artists, and scholars have had on every facet of society. While many names are widely known and celebrated, countless others have transformed entire fields without receiving deserved recognition. In language, education, and sociolinguistics, Black scholars have challenged harmful narratives, affirmed the legitimacy of African American Speech, and reshaped how we understand language and identity. As Black History Month comes to a close, the ESLC wants to spotlight three individuals whose work fundamentally changed the study of language. Robert L. Williams, John R. Rickford, and Geneva Smitherman.

At the English Skills Learning Center, we see the power of language every day. Our classrooms are filled with adults who speak multiple languages, dialects, and varieties of English. We know that language is deeply tied to identity, culture, and belonging. The work of Black linguists and scholars reminds us why honoring the language our students bring with them is essential to building equitable learning spaces.

Robert L. Williams II, PhD Arkansas Black Hall of Fame

First, we spotlight Robert L. Williams who passed away at the age of 90 in 2020 was a

psychologist and scholar who was best known for coining the term “Ebonics” in 1973. The word blends “ebony” and “phonics” to describe the linguistic system of African Americans rooted in West African languages and shaped through the history of enslavement and segregation. During a time that African American speech was widely stigmatized and labeled as “incorrect” or “broken English,” Professor Williams asserted that it was a legitimate, rule governed language with its own structure and history. Beyond Ebonics, Williams worked to challenge educational systems that misdiagnosed Black children as deficient based on dialect differences. He advocated for culturally and linguistically informed assessment and instruction. His contributions forced educators and psychologists to reconsider bias embedded in standardized testing and language evaluation. Through Ebonics, Williams helped spark a national conversation about linguistic justice that continues today.

At the ESLC, many of our students have experienced being judged for how they speak English, whether because of accent, dialect, or fluency level. Williams’ insistence that language difference is not deficiency mirrors our commitment to asset-based teaching. We see students in our classes as multilingual individuals building additional tools for communication.

Next, we spotlight John R. Rickford, a professor of linguistics at Stanford University and one of the leading sociolinguists in the study of African American English (AAE). His work has been instrumental in demonstrating that AAE is systematic, rule-governed, and linguistically rich. Through decades of research, Professor Rickford has examined grammar, pronunciation, and historical development. Grounding his work in both data and lived community experience.

Rickford has advocated for educators to recognize students home language as a bridge to academic English rather than a barrier. His work connects language to identity, social equity, and educational access. Through his work, Rickford has helped legitimize African American English within both academia and broader society.

Geneva Smitherman, who is affectionally know as Dr. G, is a pioneering scholar of African American English and author of the groundbreaking book Talkin and Testifyin. Her work blends scholarship, cultural analysis, and activism, centering Black language as a powerful expression of cultural identity and resistance. Dr. G has long argued that language discrimination is inseparable from racial discrimination. As a professor, Dr. G has trained generations of scholars and educators to see African American English not as something to be erased but instead as something to be understood and respected. Her writing celebrates the rhetorical brilliance, creativity, and historical depth of AAE communities.

As we mark the final day of Black History Month, we are reminded that history is not only

shaped by political leaders and activists, but also by scholars who transform how we see the

world. Robert L. Williams, John R. Rickford, and Geneva Smitherman did more than study

language, they defended it. Their work challenges us to confront linguistic bias, to honor the

languages and dialects students bring into classrooms, and to recognize that language difference is not deficiency. As Black History Month ends, we recommit ourselves to building classrooms where linguistic diversity is celebrated. At the ESLC, honoring the languages and dialects our students bring into the room is part of how we strengthen communities.