Heroes Through History: Izuku Midoriya and the Spirit of Black Excellence
Rise Beyond Legacy x My Hero Academia Final Season Problogs
By Sterling, Founder of Black Cards Of History LLC
Introduction: More Than A Fanboy, A True Ally in the Making
Izuku Midoriya, better known as Deku, has always represented something bigger than just the idea of becoming a hero. He’s not just a character with a notebook filled with stats and observations — he’s a symbol of deep empathy, tireless curiosity, and respect for those who came before him. That’s the kind of energy I believe would make him a powerful, 10/10 supporter of Black History Month.
From the lens of someone who founded a company to uplift Black stories and economic justice, I see Midoriya as the kind of young person who wouldn't just repost a quote from Maya Angelou or share a Black Lives Matter infographic and call it a day. He'd want to understand the struggle, amplify the voices, and honor the resilience — not just during February, but every day after.
Why Midoriya Would Care
Midoriya's love for history — particularly hero history — sets him apart. If you really think about it, he’s been documenting excellence his entire life. From All Might to Eraser Head, he’s always analyzing the why behind greatness. And that’s what makes him the perfect candidate to shine a spotlight on Black icons whose impact has been either dismissed or diluted in mainstream narratives.
He wouldn't tokenize the moment. He'd study figures like Shirley Chisholm, George Washington Carver, or Madam C.J. Walker the same way he broke down the moves of Gran Torino or Endeavor. He’d notice how their genius, ambition, and refusal to quit in the face of systemic injustice made them heroes of their own era.
And unlike others who might stop at admiration, Midoriya would ask himself:
“How can I take what I’ve learned and make sure others never forget these stories?”
The Assignment: His YouTube Video and Legacy
Midoriya’s YouTube video assignment would be nothing short of a heartfelt project titled:
"Heroes Through History: Black Innovators Who Changed the World."
I imagine it like this:
He starts off humbly, voice shaking slightly but eyes full of conviction. There’s that signature green notebook in hand, filled with pages and pages of research. Not just stats, but quotes. Not just bios, but philosophies.
His video would take us on a journey, bridging heroic figures like Bayard Rustin and Claudette Colvin to modern innovators like Dr. Kizzmekia "Kizzy" Corbett or Ava DuVernay. He wouldn’t just focus on the “mainstream heroes” either — he’d dig deep for unsung innovators, Black scientists, teachers, and engineers whose work continues to shape global industries, even if their names are left out of school textbooks.
The tone wouldn’t be performative or preachy. It would be curious, reverent, and full of heart. In every clip, you'd feel his admiration for those who created change despite the odds — people who fought not just for personal ambition but for economic justice, community uplift, and generational impact.
Midoriya would include examples of Black-led cooperatives, economic boycotts, or innovators who paved the way for financial independence — like Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman to charter a bank in the U.S. He would highlight how Black excellence wasn’t just about surviving, but about building — and thriving.
Midoriya’s Vision: A World of Shared Power
Midoriya is the type to see his own growth as a hero as directly connected to the growth of others. He believes in mutual empowerment — and that is at the very heart of Black excellence. It’s about more than celebration; it’s about restoration. It’s about reclaiming narratives, demanding equity, and investing in futures that have been systemically stifled.
In my eyes, he wouldn’t just care about highlighting the past. He’d be asking himself how his own privileges, platforms, and perspectives can be used to create opportunity for Black voices in the future. He’d show up to the panels, ask the hard questions, and walk out determined to create allyship that isn’t cosmetic — but transformational.
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters to Me
As the founder of Black Cards Of History LLC, I didn’t create a brand based on Black history trivia for fun. I created it because so many of us have been taught to forget. Midoriya reminds me of what it looks like when someone chooses to remember intentionally. He doesn’t let legacies fade. He documents them. He lives by them.
So, if Midoriya were in our world?
He’d be the first to show up, notebook in hand, ready to study the greatness that Black history has to offer — not as a side story, but as central to the fabric of our shared humanity.
Rating: 10/10 — And Not Just Because He’s the Protagonist
Midoriya scores a perfect 10, not because he’s the star of the show, but because he embodies what we need more of:
active listeners, curious learners, and bold allies who are unafraid to speak truth, even when their voice shakes.
Now that’s a legacy worth rising for.