Black History Month is a time to celebrate African-Americans’ many contributions to society in the arts, sciences, communication, technology and business.

This is the month where we can honor the one who developed the refrigeration system, the dustpan, Black hair care products, the comb, toilet paper, traffic light system and even the filament in the light bulb.

The list goes on and on.

In grade school, I remember my teachers emphasizing the importance of February.

Not just because it’s a month honoring former presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington who were important in their own right for the Emancipation Proclamation and the United States Constitution, but also because it commemorates an elite group whose simple, yet important contributions were often overlooked.

Think about it. Without toilet paper, there would be some very uncomfortable people walking around, if you know what I mean.

Or what if there were no traffic lights? There would definitely be more crashes on the streets and highways due to no signals to guide pedestrians or drivers.

Do you think Swiffer Sweeper mops would be as popular if no one had initially brainstormed how to pick up dirt from the kitchen floor?

All of these inventions are so simple, yet profound.

We take these necessities for granted daily.

Be thankful to Thomas Elkins for the refrigerator you can put food in for long periods of time without worrying about it spoiling.

Be thankful to Lewis Latimer for the electricity to power your lights so you can read that novel for hours you’ve wanted to read, without worrying about “burning the midnight oil” with candles.

Be thankful to Benjamin Banneker for your alarm clock or wristwatch that helps you get up on time for work or school without being dependent on the elements to tell you the time.

With 28 days in this month, let’s embrace the simple things and be grateful for them.