I grew up proud to be Black American — but always felt like our history was either erased or lumped into everyone else’s.

Every country has its flag on the iPhone. Every culture has a symbol. But what about us — the descendants of American slavery? The ones who built this country, who survived it, and who still fight to be seen.

The African American Heritage Flag, created in 1967, was made as a symbol of lineage, struggle, and pride. Despite its rich history and significance, this emblem of African American heritage is missing from our digital culture. It is time for tech giants like Apple to acknowledge and honor the contributions of Black Americans by adding the African American Heritage Flag emoji to their platform.

Representation matters. Emojis are more than mere digital icons; they are a universal language that encompasses identity, inclusion, and recognition. By including the African American Heritage Flag, Apple can take a significant step toward ensuring their emojis reflect the diversity of their users.

There are hundreds of flags included in emoji libraries representing nations across the globe, but a glaring absence of the African American Heritage Flag. This void speaks volumes about overlooked histories and cultures that deserve due acknowledgment and respect.

We call on Apple to rectify this oversight by collaborating with industry standards groups, such as Unicode, to introduce the African American Heritage Flag emoji. It's an essential move to promote inclusivity and acknowledgment of African American culture and history.

Sign this petition to urge Apple to add the African American Heritage Flag emoji to their devices. Your signature can help bring visibility and honor to a symbol that speaks to the heart of the Black American experience. Together, we can advocate for change and create a digital world that respects and reflects our history and contribution. Please join this cause and sign this petition.