“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: a desire, a dream, a vision.… But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
—Muhammad Ali (1942-2016), professional boxer and social activist
Just the Facts
What’s the Word?
In honor of Black History Month, get inspired by these thoughtful quotes from noteworthy African American leaders, thinkers, and doers.
“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: a desire, a dream, a vision.… But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
—Muhammad Ali (1942-2016), professional boxer and social activist
“While we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.”
—Amanda Gorman (1998- ), poet
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.… You can hear other people’s wisdom, but you’ve got to reevaluate the world for yourself.”
—Mae Jemison (1956- ), engineer, physician, and NASA astronaut
“Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.”
—Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919), entrepreneur and inventor
“Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.… The responsibility is ours alone to build a better society and a more peaceful world.”
—John Lewis (1940-2020), civil rights activist and U.S. congressman
“What do you do when you get power? The only difference between a hero and the villain is that the villain chooses to use that power in a way that is selfish and hurts other people.”
—Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020), actor and playwright
Write About It! Choose a quote from this page that stands out to you. Use your own words to summarize what the person is saying. Then explain how his or her message can apply to your own life.