As a young, biracial kid growing up in Dallas, I never could have dreamed of making it to the NFL, getting elected to Congress, and nearly becoming Texas’ first Black Senator in 2024. Not because I didn’t have the grit or determination – but simply because life wasn’t always easy. My mom raised me on her own, and she often took on another job – on top of teaching – to make ends meet. She worked as hard as she could to give me every opportunity possible, but we still struggled. I knew it didn’t have to be this way. So, when I first ran for Congress in 2018, I vowed to fight for working Texans like my mom and try to make their lives a little better.
In Congress, I was proud to be a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, a powerful, historic coalition in Washington. I served alongside heroes of mine who quickly became mentors and friends. It was a dream come true – a dream only made possible by Black trailblazers: Eddie Bernice Johnson, the first Black woman to represent Dallas in the House of Representatives; Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman from the South elected to Congress; Opal Lee, a fearless activist who’s known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth”; and John Lewis, a giant of the Civil Rights movement and former congressman.
These inspiring leaders fought to ensure that every person, no matter the color of their skin, could live a life free from discrimination and full of opportunity. They paved the path I walk on today, and I’m endlessly grateful for their sacrifice. Here’s the truth: Black history is American history. It’s a story of promise, setback, and redemption – all things at the heart of the American experience. We shouldn’t be afraid of this story. We should learn from it, be inspired by it, and celebrate it every single day – especially during Black History Month. Each February, we’re called on to recognize those who came before us, who fought to make the world a better place, and who made journeys like mine possible. It’s a time of deep pride and joy. But it’s also a time for honest reflection. Where are we as a country? How do we continue to move forward in forming a more perfect union? The reality is that we still have a lot of work to do to achieve true justice and equality for all. Racial gaps remain in nearly every sector of society – wealth, education, and employment, to name a few – and cynical politicians are doing everything they can to make it harder for Black folks to vote. They’re gerrymandering electoral maps to dilute our collective power and silence our voices. They’re enacting strict voter ID laws and trying to ban vote-by-mail. They’re fanning the flames of division and attacking our democracy. Those whose shoulders we stand on didn’t put their lives at stake to let these attacks – this discrimination – go unanswered. We have to recommit to the fight ahead and keep the faith, and I’m urging you to join me. Barbara Jordan once said that, when the Constitution was written, “We the people” didn’t include Black folks like her. It didn’t. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, we were finally included in that simple, yet heavy, phrase. We the people. That’s the promise of America. Not that we always get it right but that we always work toward perfecting our union – one where Barbara Jordan served in Congress and one where I stand before you now, running in this race for Texas’ 33rd District. Thanks for reading, Colin Paid for by Allred for Texas
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Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A reflection on Black History Month
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