Since taking office last month, United States President Donald Trump has spoken out against diversity programs and has made a point to eliminate many government DEI programs with executive orders. However, in a surprising move, he has decided to honor America’s diversity by recognizing Black American heroes for Black History Month. During a ceremony at the White House, he announced that the National Garden of American Heroes would be adding statues of several American sports legends, including late NBA star Kobe Bryant, legendary boxing champion Muhammad Ali, and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson, known for breaking the MLB color barrier.
Muhammad Ali, renowned not only as a boxing legend but also a prominent social and political activist during the civil rights movement, along with Kobe Bryant, one of the most decorated basketball players who utilized his platform for social change, highlight the significant contributions of Black athletes. Trump’s initiative will also include statues of notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Coretta Scott King, and Frederick Douglass.
The National Garden of American Heroes, unveiled by Trump in 2020, is set to receive updates to enhance its representation of American diversity. Last month, he revised his executive order related to the garden’s development to aim for completion by July 4, 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and now urges that it be finished “as expeditiously as possible.” Located on the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the garden will celebrate heroes from various backgrounds through statues, busts, and plaques, making it significantly more diverse than before.
