Black History Month Spotlight

Supporting Understanding Through ACTEC’s “Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future” Video Series

Each February, Black History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements, contributions, and lived experiences that have shaped our nation’s history. It is also a time to examine how that history continues to influence estate planning and professional practice today.

The ACTEC Foundation is proud to support educational initiatives that expand understanding, promote inclusion, and strengthen the future of the profession. One such initiative is ACTEC’s Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future video series, made possible through a Foundation grant. This important series provides context, education, and practical guidance for estate planning professionals seeking to better serve an increasingly diverse society.

Understanding Black History in the Context of Estate Planning

The “Understanding Black History” segment of the series explores the historical realities that have shaped wealth accumulation, property ownership, and access to financial and legal systems in the United States. From the legacy of enslavement and segregation to discriminatory housing practices and barriers to generational wealth building, these historical forces have had lasting effects on families and communities.

For trust and estate professionals, understanding this history is not merely academic. It informs how practitioners approach client conversations, estate planning strategies, and the intergenerational transfer of wealth. Awareness of historical inequities helps the general public and wealth advisors better appreciate the unique concerns, goals, and sensitivities that may be present when working with historically marginalized communities.

Education as a Tool for Equity

The Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future series, developed by The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), is designed to equip estate planning professionals with knowledge and perspective that enhance both competence and empathy. By grounding technical practice in historical understanding, the series encourages more thoughtful and inclusive planning.

The Foundation’s support reflects its broader mission to fund educational programming that strengthens the profession and serves the public. By investing in initiatives that address diversity and equity, The ACTEC Foundation helps ensure that legal education evolves alongside the communities it serves.

Building a More Inclusive Future

Black History Month reminds us that history is not static — it shapes the present and informs the future. Estate planning professionals play a critical role in wealth preservation and transfer. When practitioners are informed by historical context and cultural awareness, they are better positioned to build trust, foster meaningful client relationships, and contribute to long-term economic stability for families of all backgrounds.

Through grants supporting forward-thinking educational programming, The ACTEC Foundation continues to advance a profession committed to excellence, integrity, and inclusion. The Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future video series stands as an example of how thoughtful education can deepen understanding and promote equitable practices in trust and estate planning.

We encourage Fellows, practitioners, and members of the public to explore the series and engage with its insights — not only during Black History Month, but throughout the year.