February 27th is Marian Anderson Day!!!

February 27th is Marian Anderson Day!!! 

First off, I just want to put a quote of what a music critic said about her voice, "Her voice was a rich, vibrant contralto of intrinsic beauty." Not only did Marian have any amazingly beautiful voice, but she was very passionate about many people being able to enjoy her singing with many free concerts and recitals. She was offered many roles to perform for European opera companies and she declined all of them. She broke barriers as well by becoming the first black person ever to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and she was asked by F.D.R. to sing for an Easter Sunday concert in 1939 in front of the Lincoln Memorial. She was very involved in civil and human rights as well with being a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and as a "goodwill ambassadress" for the United States Department of State and winning such awards and honors as: the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, the National Medal of Arts in 1986, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. An amazing woman who left an incredible influence upon the world. Thank you Ms. Anderson for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Marian Anderson. 

http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/ande-mar.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L9C4xRL3QE

"There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right. But they hesitate, waiting for the other fellow to make the make the first move - and he, in turn, waits for you." - Marian Anderson

February 26th is Antoine "Fats" Domino Day!!!

February 26th is Antoine "Fats" Domino Day!!! 

Well, hard to describe music, so definitely take a chance to listen to some of his music and you will see why there should be a day dedicated to him. He is a huge influence on all music, but his specialty was definitely the piano. He brought a style to the piano that was not jazz, blues, or classical, but it was rock n' roll!!! His singing is also the inspiration for what we now call R&B music (or what it used to be, today's R&B is not very good). Anyways, definitely take some time to listen to some of his music and appreciate the greatness and also the obstacles he had to overcome to even be able to get his music produced. Thank you Mr. Domino for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Antoine "Fats" Domino. 

http://fatsdominomusic.com/bio.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNNiBcU3BR4

"A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B." - Fats Domino

February 25th is Celebration of Sterkfontein Day!!!

February 25th is Celebration of Sterkfontein Day!!!

"Sterkfontein, site of paleoanthropological excavations just south of Johannesburg, South Africa, known for its artifacts as well as its fossils of ancient hominins (members of the human lineage). Located in the Highveld, the site was mined throughout the 20th century for its lime deposits. In 1936 Robert Broom of the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria began collecting fossils from the miners. This led to the first discovery of an adult Australopithecus africanus, an early hominin originally described in 1925 from Taung, another South African site. At first Broom ascribed his fossils to A. transvaalensis, a hitherto-unknown species. In 1947 he uncovered an adult skull so unique and well preserved that he proposed an entirely new genus, Plesianthropus transvaalensis. However, “Mrs. Ples,” as the 1947 fossil came to be known, is now classified with Broom’s other finds as A. africanus. Crews continue to work at Sterkfontein, and the site has been one of the richest sources of information about human evolution, yielding more than 500 fossils." Please click the link below and learn more about Sterkfontein. :-) 

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/565711/Sterkfontein

February 23rd is W.E.B. Du Bois Day!!!

February 23rd is W.E.B. Du Bois Day!!! 


I don't even know where to start talking about Mr. Du Bois!!! He is so important to Black, U.S., and World history that I can't really express everything he did and what he accomplished in his life-time and still does through his reach today!!! He was the first African-American to receive a doctorate and he co-founded the NAACP. He did a lot to start the awareness and bring more light to the atrocities of racism and bigotry in the U.S., but he was also extremely instrumental in Africa as well, helping countries free themselves from years of European bondage. From what I have seen and read he was very forward in his reporting as well and never held back any details - he wanted people to REALLY know what was going on and how bad things were! His ideals and the things he talked about is what most of the United States Civil Right Act entails - you can see that he was the primary influence. 

There is sooo much more to learn about him, so I suggest on this day look-up some more history - read some of his articles and writings, very brilliant . I even learned more about him and his political sense and I honestly wish more people would study his thoughts and ideas and try to implement them today, because he was completely on point and the things he hates are exactly the things that are happening and going on in this country right now! Well, if no one else does, at least me and a few others I know can carry it on and hopefully one day be able to influence people through his spirit. Thank you Mr. Du Bois for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about W.E.B Du Bois. :-)

http://www.webdubois.org/

"Education is that whole system of human training within and without the school house walls, which molds and develops men." - W. E. B. Du Bois

February 22nd is Julius Erving Day!!!

February 22nd is Julius Erving Day!!!

Dr. J, what can you say about Dr.J? Amazing is the word that comes to my mind when I hear his name. I am young and didn't get to see him play live, but the footage I have seen and the stories I have heard, tell me everything. Anyone playing in the NBA today can thank Dr. J. for their moves and for being so instrumental in making the game what it is. Thank you Mr. Erving for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Julius Erving. :-)

http://www.nba.com/history/players/erving_bio.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebtVv87jDc

"I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity." - Julius Erving

February 21st is Nina Simone Day!!!

February 21st is Nina Simone Day!!!

Her music and spirit is an inspiration to many. My suggestion is to just find a song and listen to it today and you will be able to feel and understand what kind of a person she was, definitely the best way. She was instrumental in the Civil Rights movement as well and overcame a lot in her life, she paved the way with her music and her soul. Thank you Ms. Simone for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Nina Simone. :-)

http://www.ninasimone.com/about/bio/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUcXI2BIUOQ

"The worst thing about that kind of prejudice... is that while you feel hurt and angry and all the rest of it, it feeds you self-doubt. You start thinking, perhaps I am not good enough." - Nina Simone

February 21st is International Mother Language Day!!!

February 21st is International Mother Language Day!!!

This celebration is designed to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education, to highlight greater awareness of the importance of mother tongue education.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/international-mother-language-day/

February 20th is Sidney Poitier Day!!!

February 20th is Sidney Poitier Day!!!

Mr. Poitier is such an inspiration, it is hard to even express how much he has done and and accomplished in his life. I absolutely love his movies and he is an incredible actor and person. He was the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor and he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Mr. Poitier is a true fighter for civil rights and even though Hollywood to this day is still racist and ignorant, the people that are in the industry today can attribute this to Mr. Poitier for all he had to go through and how well he did it and achieved an amazing level of passion. Thank you Mr. Poitier for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Sidney Poitier. :-)

http://www.biography.com/people/sidney-poitier-9443345

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xgxLmnzURc

"I never had an occasion to question color, therefore, I only saw myself as what I was... a human being." - Sidney Poitier

February 20th is World Day of Social Justice!!!

February 20th is World Day of Social Justice!!!

Observance of World Day of Social Justice supports efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

http://www.un.org/en/events/socialjusticeday/

February 20th is Angelina Grimke Day!!!

February 20th is Angelina Grimke Day!!!

Angelina Grimke was born into a southern plantation owning family in the South, but as she grew old she realized how immoral and wrong everything her family was doing was. She and her sister both left and moved North to join in the Abolition movement. She was a huge voice for this and at the same time brought light to women's rights as well. Thank you Ms. Grimke for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Angelina Grimke.

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/racialjustice/a/Angelina-Grimke.htm

"I trust the time is coming, when the occupation of an instructor to children will be deemed the most honorable of human employment." - Angelina Grimke

February 19th is John Bubbles Day!!!

February 19th is John Bubbles Day!!!

Many people don't know John Bubbles as one of the famous tap performers back in the day, but he is definitely deserves to be recognized for all of his great dancing and performing. He did a lot of movies, shows, etc. in his life time and was sometimes criticized for perpetuated stereotypes, but he only replied saying that he had to make a living. I know that is a very hard thing he had to deal with and no one can say what they would do in his position, so no one can criticize. No matter what anyone says he was an amazing performer and he got to do something that he loved and had passion for. Thank you Mr. Bubbles for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about John Bubbles. :-)

http://www.atdf.org/awards/bubbles.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c58AAcnaPTo

February 19th is Victor Anomah Ngu Day!!!

February 19th is Victor Anomah Ngu Day!!!


"On June 14th 2011, the venerable Professor, esteemed surgeon and internationally acclaimed scientist finally came to the end of his earthly journey highly marked by achievements in superlatives.  In April 2009 he granted a major interview to Summit Magazine. In this interview, Prof. Anomah Ngu talked extensively about his life, his love for medicine, his medical research and discoveries including Vanhivax, the HIV/AIDS Vaccine, as well as his role in the process leading up to the reunification of the British and French Cameroons. At the end of that interview it was clear that despite his mega achievements in science, he was just another human being who loved playing golf and enjoyed eating “rice and moi-moi”, maybe an influence from his high profile Nigerian wife, Etso Clara Ugbodaga Ngu, an accomplished artist who died in August 1999." Thank you Mr. Ngu for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Victor Anomah Ngu. :-) 

http://www.joyceash.com/2011/06/prof-victor-anomah-ngu-1926-july-14th-2011-the-last-major-interview.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g_K5-GEY04

"It's now evident that (national) independence without development is really dependence." - Victor Anomah Ngu

February 18th is Celebration of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins Day!!!

February 18th is Celebration of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins Day!!!

"The Great Zimbabwe Ruins (sometimes just called Great Zimbabwe) are sub-Saharan Africa's most important and largest stone ruins. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1986, the large towers and structures were built out of millions of stones balanced perfectly on top of one another without the aid of mortar. Great Zimbabwe gave modern Zimbabwe its name as well as its national emblem -- an eagle carved stylishly out of soapstone which was found at the ruins. The Great Zimbabwe society is believed to have become increasingly influential during the 11th Century. The Swahili, the Portuguese and Arabs who were sailing down the Mozambique coast began trading porcelain, cloth and glass with the Great Zimbabwe people in return for gold and ivory. As the Great Zimbabwe people flourished, they built an empire whose huge stone buildings which would eventually spread over 200 square miles (500 km2). It is thought that as many as 18,000 people lived here during its heyday." Please click the link below and learn more about the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. :-)

http://goafrica.about.com/od/zimbabwe/p/greatzimbabwe.htm

February 17th is Huey P. Newton Day!!!

February 17th is Huey P. Newton Day!!!

Huey P. Newton was one of the co-founders founders of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense and worked to bring social justice to all oppressed people and give them the knowledge and means to protect themselves against the oppressors. Most people didn't understand the tactics and passion of Huey, and most still don't to this day, but no matter how radical or inflammatory people thought the ideals and visions were, Huey and others pressed on to bring knowledge and awareness! Could it have been done in a better way?, maybe, but that was the way Huey and others felt it needed to be at that time in the history of this country and the world and I honestly can't say that I wouldn't have wanted to be the same way! The injustices still have not been corrected and everyday we see atrocity after atrocity to humanity, all because a few people think they need to be superior and control the majority of people! I wish there were some strong voices like his still around to this day and a way to get more and more people to unite to fight to make the world a better place for all humanity!!! Thank you Mr. Newton for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Huey P. Newton. :-)

http://www.pbs.org/hueypnewton/huey/huey_bio.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv7Bh-nTaGM

"I think what motivates people is not great hate, but great love for other people." - Huey P. Newton

February 17th is Jim Brown Day!!!

February 17th is Jim Brown Day!!!

Not only is Jim Brown one of the greatest football players and athletes of all time, but he also did acting and activism for the African-American community. Thank you Mr. Brown for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Jim Brown. :-)

http://www.biography.com/people/jim-brown-9228484

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6cCXNBeVfc

"I'm not interested in trying to work on people's perceptions. I am who I am, and if you don't take the time to learn about that, then your perception is going to be your problem." - Jim Brown

February 17th is Michael Jordan Day!!!

February 17th is Michael Jordan Day!!!

Ok, so everyone pretty much knows who Michael Jordan is and what his accomplishments are, so no need to go on and on with the details, basically he is one of the greatest to play the game!!! I don't say THE BEST because I don't put that title on anyone, that is just how I am, but many would say that. Jordan is a huge inspiration to all generations before and after he and did a lot to bring presence to the game. If you ask any NBA star right now who they looked up to they would definitely say Jordan. His drive, his passion, and dedication was absolutely amazing. Thank you Mr. Jordan for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Michael Jordan. :-)

http://www.biography.com/people/michael-jordan-9358066

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAr6oAKieHk

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan

February 16th is Celebration of Abu Simbel Day!!!

February 16th is Celebration of Abu Simbel Day!!!

"Built on the west bank of the Nile River, between the first and second cataracts of the Nile, the site of Abu Simbel is one of the most recognizable ancient sites in Egypt. It contains two temples, carved into a mountainside, that were built by pharaoh Ramesses II (1303-1213 B.C). The larger of the two temples contains four colossal statues of a seated Ramesses II at its entrance, each about 69 feet (21 meters) tall. The entranceway to the temple was built in such a way that on two days of the year, October 22 and February 22, the light would shine into the inner sanctuary and light up three statues seated on a bench, including one of the pharaoh. It’s been hypothesized that these dates may celebrate his coronation and birth. In addition Abu Simbel has a second, smaller, temple that may have been built for queen Nefertari. Its front includes two statues of the queen and four of the pharaoh, each about 33 feet (10 meters) in height. Each is set between buttresses carved with hieroglyphs." Please click the link below and learn more about Abu Simbel. :-)

http://www.livescience.com/37360-abu-simbel.html

February 15th is Babur Day!!!

February 15th is Babur Day!!!

"Bābur, ( Arabic: “Tiger”) also spelled Bābar or Bāber, original name Ẓahīr al-Dīn Muḥammad   (born Feb. 15, 1483, principality of Fergana [now in Uzbekistan]—died Dec. 26, 1530, Agra [India]), emperor (1526–30) and founder of the Mughal dynasty of India. A descendant of the Mongol conqueror Chinggis (Genghis) Khan and also of the Turkic conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), Bābur was a military adventurer, a soldier of distinction, and a poet and diarist of genius, as well as a statesman." Thank you Babur for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Babur. :-)

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/47524/Babur

"I have not written all this to complain: I have simply written the truth. I do not intend by what I have written to compliment myself: I have simply set down exactly what happened. Since I have made it a point in this history to write the truth of every matter and to set down no more than the reality of every event, as a consequence I have reported every good and evil I have seen of father and brother and set down the actuality of every fault and virtue of relative and stranger. May the reader excuse me; may the listener take me not to task." - Babur

February 14th is Frederick Douglass Day!!!

February 14th is Frederick Douglass Day!!!


Mr. Douglass was and is to this day a huge influence on many people in the world!!! I can't even express how much he has done for civil rights, social justice, and true inspiration for people to fight for what is right in the world. He was very involved in the abolition of slavery and did a lot as an activist to help bring light to the injustice. He also proved to the ignorant that he could be an African-American man that was educated, intelligent, and eloquent which white ignorant people didn't think could be possible of someone of African descent. He proved everyone wrong and really showed the world for generations to come what it means to stand-up and fight for RIGHT and to never give up! Thank you Mr. Douglass for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Frederick Douglass. :-)

http://www.frederickdouglass.org/douglass_bio.html

"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." - Frederick Douglass

February 14th is Gregory Hines Day!!!

February 14th is Gregory Hines Day!!!

I can't believe that he is not still here on earth with us. Mr. Hines was an amazing dancer and a true Hoofer!!! I did not know who Mr. Hines was until only within the last 10 years of so and when I finally got to watch the movie "TAP" and see him and all of the legends of the dance, it brought back all of those amazing feelings I had inside me as a little kid watching old movies with taping and wishing that it could be me. After seeing that movie I looked up more on Gregory Hines and was absolutely amazed at his presence and how incredibly clean his dancing was, he was a true extension of the legends and in that sense became a legend himself! I would have really loved to have met him and learned from him because I know his knowledge and spirit was unbelievable! He is a true inspiration to any dancer and I really hope more people will watch his dancing and learn more about him, so that the spirit of Hoofers will never die! Thank you Mr. Hines for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Gregory Hines. :-)

http://www.biography.com/people/gregory-hines-9542572

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbxI3K8GnpU

"I don't remember not dancing. When I realized I was alive and these were my parents, and I could walk and talk, I could dance." - Gregory Hines

February 13th is Celebration of Oldupai Gorge Day!!!

February 13th is Celebration of Oldupai Gorge Day!!!

"Olduvai Gorge is a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of the existence of human ancestors. Paleoanthropologists have found hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools in the area dating back millions of years, leading them to conclude that humans evolved in Africa. Olduvai is a misspelling of Oldupai, a Maasai word for a wild sisal plant that grows in the area. The gorge is located in the Great Rift Valley, between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. It is 30 miles from Laetoli, another fossil-rich area. Olduvai Gorge was formed about 30,000 years ago, the result of aggressive geological activity and streams." Thank you to all of the scientist and archaeologists that have worked and still are working here to uncover the past to teach us about the ancestors of humanity!!!! Please click the link below and learn more about Oldupai Gorge. :-) 

http://www.livescience.com/40455-olduvai-gorge.html

February 12th is Bill Russell Day!!!

February 12th is Bill Russell Day!!!

Wow, there is sooo much to say about Bill Russell I don't even know where to start! Honestly one of the most influential basketball players in history. Not only was his talent unmatched, but his determination through all the racism and hardships he had to deal with makes him absolutely amazing person and definitely a Black Hero!!! He won 11 championships with the Celtics in only 13 seasons and by sticking to his roots he helped break the race barrier and show that no matter what he will be the person he REALLY is. To this day Mr. Russell is a huge influence on many basketball players and young men alike, and he is still very actively involved with the Celtics organization. The lessons he learned and the knowledge he gained is truly gold and any person lucky enough to learn from him and gain some of that knowledge, whether it be in life or basketball should definitely take everything he says with the highest esteem and be truly honored.Thank you Mr. Russell for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Bill Russell. :-)

http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_bio.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40iKnaUjz_w

"Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory." - Bill Russell

February 11th is General Chappie Day!!!

February 11th is General Chappie Day!!!

General Chappie was the first African-American promoted to the rank of four star General in the Air Force. He was also a Tuskegee Airmen and was one of the pilots that trained the 99th squadron that went to fight overseas in World War II. He didn't get to see action until the Korean War and continued to fight and move up the ranks even into the Vietnam War. General Chappie is a true hero and an amazing example of no matter how much the odds are stacked against you, you can reach for the highest level and obtain it. A huge salute to a TRUE American Hero!!! Thank you Mr. Chappie for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about General Chappie. :-)

http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec&pid=123006480

"The power of excellence is overwhelming. It is always in demand, and nobody cares about its color." - General Chappie

February 10th is Leontyne Price Day!!!

February 10th is Leontyne Price Day!!!

I am sure most people have no idea who Leontyne Price is and honestly I didn't either until a few days ago, but to the music and opera world she is legendary. She is an amazing soprano singer! She grew up in the deep south and went through obstacles to become the singer she became. She started off on Broadway and moved her way to opera where she really excelled and became one of the first African-Americans to be a leading artist at the Metropolitan Opera. After retiring from opera performing she has done many recordings, shows, and tours. She is another example of someone with beautiful talent that no matter what pushed for her chance to showcase it and ended up being one of the best! Thank you Ms. Price for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Leontyne Price. :-) 

http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=3787&source_type=A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMCw_FjSQuQ

"Accomplishments have no color." - Leontyne Price

February 9th is Alice Walker Day!!!

February 9th is Alice Walker Day!!!

Alice Walker is best known for her Pulitzer Prize winning novel "The Color Purple", but not only is she a great writer she is also an amazing political and social activist. She is a strong black woman that knows first-hand about the oppression of Jim Crow and slavery like conditions in the U.S., especially in the South where she is from. She overcame the odds against her and to this day is involved in organizations and speaking about bringing peace and justice to the world. Thank you Ms. Walker for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Alice Walker. :-)

http://alicewalkersgarden.com/about-2/

"All History is current; all injustice continues on some level, somewhere in the world." - Alice Walker

February 8th is Celebration of the Pyramids of Giza Day!!!

February 8th is Celebration of the Pyramids of Giza Day!!!

"Khufu's pyramid at Giza showing the plan of passages and burial chamber. Some believe that his pyramid at Giza was built by slaves but this is not true. One hundred thousand people worked on it for three months of each year. This was the time of the Nile's annual flood which made it impossible to farm the land and most of the population was unemployed. He provided good food and clothing for his workers and was kindly remembered in folk tales for many centuries. There are three pyramids at Giza, each of which once had an adjoining mortuary temple. Attached to this temple would have been a covered causeway descending down to a valley temple, near the Nile. The 'great' pyramid itself is truly an astonishing work of engineering skill - for over four thousands years, until the modern era, it was the tallest building in the world." Thank you to all of the Ancient Egyptians that designed and worked on these marvelous works of engineering and beauty!!!! Please click the link below and learn more about the Pyramids of Giza. :-)

 http://www.discoveringegypt.com/pyramid3.htm

February 7th is Eubie Blake Day!!!

February 7th is Eubie Blake Day!!!


"Eubie Blake was one of the most important figures in early-20th-century African-American music, and one whose longevity made him a storehouse of the history of ragtime and early jazz music and culture. Born in Baltimore in 1883, Blake began playing piano professionally when he was 16; he wrote his first composition, "Sounds of Africa," (later retitled "Charleston Rag") around the same time. His career did not really take off until he met Noble Sissle in 1915. Together, Blake and Sissle wrote many hits. Blake also collaborated with Andy Razaf (on "Memories of You"), Henry Creamer, and other writers, composing more than 350 songs." 

If it wasn't for Eubie we would not have the progression of music that we have. The original ragtime and jazz music can be heard in almost everything we hear today, just progressed and changed, but it wouldn't have been possible without people like Eubie. Also, just a quick note you can see just in the first part of this where they said that his song was re-titled from originally being "Sounds of Africa", that he had to deal with a lot of prejudice and stupidity just to get his music out - that fact really stood out to me.Thank you Mr. Blake for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Eubie Blake. :-)

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200038834/default.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21SMdsr-i78

"Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind - listen to the birds. And don't hate nobody." - Eubie Blake

February 6th is Bob Marley Day!!!

February 6th is Bob Marley Day!!!

If you don't know who Bob Marley is then you have probably lived under a rock your entire life! His music and spirit will continue to touch people forever!!! He is a true musician and an amazing activist and philosopher. His songs touch people way deep down in the soul. Thank you Mr. Marley for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Bob Marley. :-)

http://www.bobmarley.com/life_and_legacy.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2mKWLf8GAo

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively” ― Bob Marley

February 5th is Hank Aaron Day!!!

February 5th is Hank Aaron Day!!!

What can I say about "Hammerin Hank"!!! He was not only an amazing baseball player, but a true inspiration as a man for all people, especially black men. Hank is most famous for being the first person to break Babe Ruth's Home run record. This accomplishment was absolutely amazing, but it brought him a lot of hate because he was a black man. The white idiots of this country, never wanted anyone to break his record and they definitely didn't want a black man to do it. So, with his extreme joy from an amazing historic feat that he achieved, came darkness and hate as well. Very sad and very maddening that he had to deal with this and just showed that no matter how amazing and great the things black men were doing, that still was not enough to even help change perception of the ignorant. Over time people have learned more and the sports world has made some great improvements, but it would have never happened if people like Hank didn't stand tall and no matter what anyone said he continued to do what he loved and played how he knew he could play. Thank you Mr. Aaron for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Hank Aaron. :-)

http://www.biography.com/people/hank-aaron-9173497

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEqDcHz40hw

"I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you're inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you've never seen before. If they do, I'm still looking for it." - Hank Aaron

February 4th is Rosa Parks Day!!!

February 4th is Rosa Parks Day!!!

A true inspiration and perfect example of someone that stands up for what she believes in no matter the consequence. Her defiance and standing up for her rights gave and still gives people the inspiration today. Other people decided to follow the charge and the mission, helping bring light to something that was happening to black people everyday. Not only did she stand-up for her rights to ride where she wanted to on a bus, but she helped in court cases and helped to get the legal system changed so the idiotic laws against black people were repealed. Thank you Ms. Parks for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Rosa Parks. :-)

http://www.biography.com/people/rosa-parks-9433715

"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." - Rosa Parks

February 3rd is Sakanouye Tamuramaro Day!!!

February 3rd is Sakanouye Tamuramaro Day!!!

"Sakanouye Tamuramaro was born in 758A.D.and died 811. He was an African whose family had migrated from Korea many generations earlier. He was known as the Paragon of Japanese Military Virtue, the first to hold the title of Sei-i-Tai Shogun. Sak-Tamura's public and family life is well documented. He lived during the early Heian Period (794-1185c.e.) a time in history which gave birth to the Samurai Warriors who modeled themselves after Tamuramaro. (must have a drop of black blood to be Samurai Warrior) . After the failed attempts by the Japanese Military troops against the AINU the emperor decided to call upon Tamura. His success was one of his greatest military achievements. The Emperor bestowed the title of Sei-i-Tai Shogun upon Tamura making him the first to hold this title. He was also the first military statesman of Japan." Thank you Mr. Tamuramaro for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Sakanouye Tamuramaro. :-)

http://blackhistorybeforeslavery.blogspot.com/2010/02/sakanouye-tamuramaro-black-shogun.html

February 2nd is Queen Amina of Zaria Day!!!

February 2nd is Queen Amina of Zaria Day!!!

"She set off on her first military expedition three months after coming to power and continued fighting until her death. In her thirty-four year reign, she expanded the domain of Zazzua to its largest size ever. Her main focus, however, was not on annexation of neighboring lands, but on forcing local rulers to accept vassal status and permit Hausa traders safe passage. She is credited with popularizing the earthen city wall fortifications, which became characteristic of Hausa city-states since then. She ordered building of a defensive wall around each military camp that she established. Later, towns grew within these protective walls, many of which are still in existence. They’re known as “ganuwar Amina”, or Amina’s walls. She is mostly remembered as “Amina, Yar Bakwa ta san rana,” meaning “Amina, daughter of Nikatau, a woman as capable as a man." Thank you Queen for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Queen Amina of Zaria. :-) 

http://www.blackpresence.co.uk/queen-amina-queen-of-zaria/

February 1st is Langston Hughes Day!!!

February 1st is Langston Hughes Day!!!

Great Poet and an innovator of what they call Jazz Poetry. His style of writing and what he wrote about were sooo influential and still are today for anyone that reads his writings. On this day take some time to just read at least one of his poems and really pay attention to the message. Thank you Mr. Hughes for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Langston Hughes. :-)

http://www.biography.com/people/langston-hughes-9346313

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM7HSOwJw20

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." - Langston Hughes