Hey ForbesBLK, Ayisha Mendez here.

Thursday is a day of remembrance, advocacy, and service dedicated to honoring the lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Every year, the families of the victims gather for a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, where they read the names of those who perished. Among those remembered is my aunt, Celeste Torres Victora. For many who are old enough to remember, it is a day impossible to forget. 

As a native New Yorker, I’ve heard countless stories from family and neighbors recalling exactly where they were the day of the attacks. The flashbacks of a city shut down, subways closed, and the surreal journey home. According to Pew Research, “93%  of those 30 and older say they remember exactly where they were on 9/11.” But what stands out in these stories isn’t just the shock, but the unity that followed. 

In a city known for its grit and fast pace, there was a sudden shift – one of resilience, compassion, and solidarity in the aftermath. When the smoke, ashes and dust cleared from the site of the attack, Steve Forbes recounts, “What emerged was an astonishing display of strength of our civil society. Restaurants organized food deliveries for first responders; local mariners evacuated hundreds of thousands of stranded people; individuals and groups poured resources into stricken New York City.” 

Slowly, the city began to rebuild. So did its civic spirit – marked by a surge of volunteerism, community engagement, and activism that helped shape the city’s recovery.  In today’s divided times, we can still look to those moments as a guide: empathy, cooperation, and the will to put our differences aside to rebuild a better nation – together.  

And Thursday was the nation’s annual reminder on how to execute. A reminder we will never forget. 

Until next time, stay connected with me on LinkedIn and Instagram.