March 23rd is Walter Rodney Day!!!
"Rodney combined his scholarship with activism and became a voice for the under-represented and disenfranchised – this distinguished him from his academic colleagues. His interest in the struggles of the working class began at a young age with an introduction to politics by his father, and continued with his involvement in debating and study groups throughout his student years. His PhD thesis illustrated his duality as an intellectual and activist as he challenged the prevailing assumptions about African history and put forth his own ideas and models for analyzing the history of oppressed peoples. Influenced by the Black Power Movement in the U.S., third world revolutionaries and Marxist theory, Rodney began to actively challenge the status quo. In 1968, while a UWI professor in Jamaica, he joined others to object to the socio-economic and political direction of the government. Unlike his counterparts, however, Rodney involved the working class, including the Rastafarians (one of Jamaica’s most marginalized groups) in this dialogue. His speeches and lectures to these groups were published as Grounding with My Brothers, and became central to the Caribbean Black Power Movement. Rodney’s activities attracted the Jamaican government’s attention and after attending the 1968 Black Writers’ Conference in Montreal, Canada he was banned from re-entering the country. This decision was to have profound repercussions, sparking widespread unrest in Kingston." Thank you Mr. Rodney for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Walter Rodney. :-)
http://www.walterrodneyfoundation.org/biography/
"....an overall view of ancient African civilization and ancient African cultures is required to expunge the myths about the African past, which linger in the mind of Black people everywhere. This is the main revolutionary function of African History in our hemisphere." - Walter Rodney
March 21st is International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination!!!
"The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination" (UN resolution 2142 (XXI)). Please click the link below and learn more about International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/
March 20th is Sister Rosetta Tharpe Day!!!
The first thing I need to say about this woman is, WOW!!!!!!! Ms. Tharpe is one of the most influential musicians of all time and not many people know about her or who she is. In a nutshell she is the Godmother of Rock & Roll!!!!! If you want to know where all of the most famous Rock & Roll artists got their songs, guitar style, singing style, movements, pretty much the who Rock & Roll attitude, look no further than Sister Rosetta Tharpe!!! She may of not realized it at the time what she was starting and creating, but she is super important and definitely take the time today to listen to some of her music and watch some videos of her. Learn more so that you are aware of where it all began . Thank you Ms. Tharpe for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Sister Rosetta Tharpe. :-)
http://www.biography.com/people/sister-rosetta-tharpe-17172332
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ
"Can't no grave hold my body down, I am going to rise one morning" - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
March 20th is Mr. Fred Rogers Day!!!
Ok, if you don't know who Mr. Rogers is then you lived under a rock your entire life and you missed out on one of the greatest TV shows for kids in HISTORY!!! Besides the TV show though Mr. Rogers was and still is considered an amazing man - he advocated for many causes and won numerous medals and awards. His TV show though was what captivated us all. A man that was always nice, had amazing friends and neighbors and was always teaching you something new and different. Let's not forget the land of make believe and the puppets . I learned a lot from this show growing up and honestly all kids and adults a like should still be watching today because it seems everyone has forgotten how to act and how things should be. Mr. Rogers was literally the go to nice guy. Me personally, my love of music and theatre partially came from the Mr. Rogers show because I would always wait for them to do a play special - those were always my favorites . Anyways, this man definitely was a blessing to the world and deserves to be remembered and never forgotten. Thank you Mr. Rogers for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Fred Rogers. :-)
http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/blog/happy-birthday-mister-rogers/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw_GnjE-des
“When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.” - Fred Rogers
March 19th is Jackie "Moms" Mabley Day!!!
"Moms Mabley was born in Brevard, North Carolina in the 1890s, and went on to establish a career as the top standup comedienne of her time. She starred in several films, became a headliner at the Apollo Theater and in the '60s had hit comedy albums. She was also a top draw for a number of TV variety shows. She died in New York on May 23, 1975. Comedian Whoopi Goldberg has directed a documentary on Mabley's life." Thank you Ms. Mabley for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Jackie "Moms" Mabley. :-)
http://www.biography.com/people/moms-mabley-38691
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM880a92rgo
"If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got." - Moms Mabley
March 17th is the Celebration of the Golden Thirteen Day!!!
The Golden Thirteen were the first African-American Naval Officers that were appointed in March of 1944, I am not sure of the actual day, but it would have been around this day. This was a huge accomplishment and progression for the military of the Navy. FDR had signed an executive order in June of 1941 that prohibited racial discrimination in any government agency, but not until extreme pressure from Eleanor Roosevelt and others did they actually start a training program in 1994 for these officers that they finally went through. It is too bad that this did not happen sooner, but I am very happy that it did happen and very proud of the long line of African-Americans in the Navy and military after and before. There have been sooo many more since then, but on this day we definitely want to celebrate these men! Thank you Golden Thirteen for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about the Golden Thirteen. :-)
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/prs-tpic/af-amer/afa-g-13.htm
March 17th is Bayard Rustin Day!!!
Mr. Rustin was very instrumental in the civil rights movement. He worked very closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He actually did a lot that I never knew about until doing research, he is one of the important figures of that movement. Thank you Mr. Rustin for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Bayard Rustin. :-)
http://www.apri.org/ht/d/sp/i/227/pid/227
"To be afraid is to behave as if the truth were not true." - Bayard Rustin
March 17th is Nat King Cole Day!!!
This man was and still is absolutely amazing!!! I was first introduced to Nat King Cole at a very young age through his Christmas music and I was sooo hooked !!! After that I always wanted to hear his music and learn more about Mr. Cole. During his life and music career he had to deal with a lot of racial tension and many times had to perform to segregated crowds. He even had a couple happenings with the KKK. A very strong and excellent person to still keep his music alive through all the hardships and things he had to deal with. I love listening to his music and will always continue to listen my entire life and pass his messages on. If you have not listened to Mr. Cole's music please look some up and do because guaranteed you will love it!!! Thank you Mr. Cole for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Nat King Cole. :-)
http://www.biography.com/people/nat-king-cole-9253026
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JErVP6xLZwg
"I may be helping to bring harmony between people through my music." - Nat King Cole
March 15th is Sly Stone Day!!!
Well, honestly there is not much to say about Sly besides how wonderful the music is, so take a listen and appreciate!!! Thank you Mr. Stone for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Sly Stone. :-)
http://www.slystonemusic.com/content/biography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ptrc2cWRxU
“You can make it if you try, push a little harder, think a little deeper.”
March 15th is Harriet E. Wilson Day!!!
I actually just learned about her today, but just from the bit I have learned and researched I know she was an amazing woman. Even though she did only publish one novel the emotion and passion that was put into the purpose and the story. She was the first African American to ever have a novel published in the USA, meaning that this was one of the first stories people were able to read about how slavery was and the treatment. Although this only highlight basically her life, it is an important stepping stone coming from a amazing and humble woman. Thank you Mrs. Wilson for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Harriet E. Wilson. :-)
http://www.harrietwilsonproject.org/about_harriet.htm
March 14th is Albert Einstein Day!!!
"Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany on March 14, 1879. As a child, Einstein revealed an extraordinary curiosity for understanding the mysteries of science (started only at age 10/11). A typical child (only to his socio-economic class — educated middle class), Einstein took music lessons, playing both the violin and piano — a passion that followed him into adulthood. Moving first to Italy and then to Switzerland, the young prodigy graduated from high-school in 1896. In 1905, while working as a patent clerk in Bern, Switzerland, Einstein had what came to be known as his “Annus Mirabilis” — or “miracle year”. It was during this time that the young physicist obtained his Doctorate degree and published four of his most influential research papers, including the Special Theory of Relativity. In that, the now world famous equation "e = mc2" unlocked mysteries of the Universe theretofore unknown." Thank you Mr. Einstein for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Albert Einstein. :-)
http://einstein.biz/biography.php
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” - Albert Einstein
March 14th is Abdias do Nascimento Day!!!
Abdias do Nascimento is an Afro-Brasilian writer, scholar, activist and politician. He did a lot to help the Afro-Brasilian population of Brasil and bring to the light what need for education and recognition of this population of people. He was always trying to make the original heritage from Africa was not forgotten and there was equal rights for the Afro-Brasilians. Thank you Mr. Nascimento for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Abdias do Nascimento. :-)
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/abdias-do-nascimento-brazilian-activist
“You just have to look at a black family. Where do they live? The black children, how are they educated? You’ll see that it’s all a lie. You must understand that I’m saying this with profound hatred, profound bitterness at the way black people are treated in Brazil.” - Abdias do Nascimento
March 14th is Quincy Jones Day!!!
Ok, so what can I say about Mr. Jones that people don't already know? Not really much at all! This man's music talent is out of this world and we can all thank him for some of the best music of modern times!!!! He is a success on his own, but he also produced music for some of the greatest as well. He has won 27 Grammys along with numerous other medals and awards. My best suggestion would be to just find his music and listen and learn. This is really the best way to know and understand the musical genius that is Mr. Quincy Jones Thank you Mr. Jones for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Quincy Jones. :-)
http://www.quincyjones.com/about/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EesfgJHAeWo
"Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, both young and old shared a little of what he is good at doing." - Quincy Jones
March 12th is Olaudah Equiano Day!!!
Olaudah was a child when taken from his village in Nigeria and put on a slave ship. He lived a very hard life, but he accomplished much. Later in life he wrote down his autobiography and shared his life with anyone who wants to know. He is a very important figure because he shows how coming from the worst situation he was able to still grow, learn, and rise above. Thank you Mr. Equiano for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Olaudah Equiano. :-)
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/olaudah-equiano-slave-and-author
"My dream now returned upon my mind with all its force; it was fulfilled in every part; for our danger was the same I had dreamt of: and I could not help looking on myself as the principal instrument in effecting our deliverance..." - Olaudah Equiano
March 10th is Jim Valvano (Jimmy V) Day!!!
I am upset that I missed posting this on the 10th, but I had to make sure that it did get posted ASAP, especially after the documentary story I watched last night on ESPN. I always knew that Jimmy V was very important and influential person in basketball and for cancer research through his organization, but I never really understood how important of a man just in general he was and still is to the world!!! All I can say is WOW and THANK YOU!!!! Learning more about him now, I consider him to be the Vince Lombardi of basketball! His spirit, humor, confidence, and most important love has touched sooo many people and he showed the world that no matter what situation is thrown at you, you never give up!!! EVERYONE has the potential to be great and achieve great things!!!!Thank you Mr. Valvano for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Jim Valvano. :-)
http://www.jimmyv.org/about-us/remembering-jim/jim-valvano-1946-1993/
"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." - Jim Valvano
March 8th is International Women's Day!!!
Today we celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of women as well as bring awareness to the ongoing issues that plague this world with the mistreatment and lack of respect for women! Everyone no matter, race, gender, creed, or anything else society uses to separate humans is NOT acceptable!!! Treat everyone right and give respect where respect is due, but don't judge or think anything less of someone for anything that is just humanly how that person is. I would like to especially on this day bring awareness to the abuse women go through because men have a superiority complex and think they are better and can control and do whatever they want to women. I have put a link to a song below that I really like that talks about. Just something to think about today and everyday and if you can do something to help, please do! Also, women of the world don't let anyone make you think less of yourself or that you are not capable of doing something! If you set your mind, heart, and soul on something you CAN make it happen. Chase your dreams and your goals and ALWAYS ask for help! If you feel you are stuck and not moving forward or need to get out of a bad situation they is ALWAYS someone there to help and bring you into a better life. Thank you all of the women of the world for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about International Women's Day and the history of it.
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/about.asp#.UTpJhDFYu6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBPEkEOUUp0
"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission." - Eleanor Roosevelt
March 7th is Celebration of the Tuskegee Airmen Day!!!
On this day in 1942 the first group of Tuskegee Airmen were inducted into the Air Force. If you don't know about these incredible men and what they went through to even have a chance to fight for their country, you definitely need to read and learn! These men did amazing things in battle and actually help to progress the Military as well. Thank you Tuskegee Airmen for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen. :-)
http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/explore/history.aspx
"We were fighting two battles. I flew for my parents, for my race, for our battle for first-class citizenship and for my country. We were fighting for the millions of black Americans back home. We were there to break down barriers, open a few doors, and do a job." - Joseph Philip Gomer (Tuskegee Airman)
March 6th is Chief Obafemi Awolowo Day!!!
"Obafemi Awolowo, also known as Chief Obafemi Awolowo (born March 6, 1909, Ikenne, Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria [now in Nigeria]—died May 9, 1987, Ikenne), Nigerian politician who was a strong advocate of independence, nationalism, and federalism. He was also known for his progressive views concerning social welfare.The son of a peasant, Awolowo first studied to be a teacher and later worked as a clerk, trader, and newspaper reporter while organizing trade unions and participating in politics in his spare time. In the 1930s he became an active member of the Lagos Youth Movement (later the Nigerian Youth Movement). Awolowo went to London to study law in 1944, and while there he founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa (Yoruba: “Society of the Descendants of Oduduwa”), a society devoted to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture. During that period Awolowo also wrote the influential Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947), in which he made his case for the need of a federal form of government in Nigeria." Thank you Mr. Awolowo for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Chief Obafemi Awolowo. :-)
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/46063/Obafemi-Awolowo
"After rain comes sunshine; After darkness comes the glorious dawn. There is no sorrow without its alloy of joy; there is no joy without its admixture of sorrow. Behind the ugly terrible mask of misfortune lies the beautiful soothing countenance of prosperity. So, tear the mask!" - Chief Obafemi Awolowo
March 4th is Miriam Makeba Day!!!
"South African singer and human rights campaigner, Makeba was the first vocalist to put African music onto the international map in the 1960s. Makeba is well known throughout the world known as 'Mama Africa' and the 'Empress of African Song'. Miriam Makeba was born in Johannesburg in 1932, during a time of economic depression. Her mother, a domestic worker, was imprisoned for six months for illegally brewing beer to help make ends meet, and Miriam went to prison with her as she was just 18 days old. Makeba’s mother was also a sangoma, or a practitioner of herbal medicine, divination and counselling in traditional Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi (Nguni) societies of Southern Africa." Thank you Ms. Makeba for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Miriam Makeba. :-)
http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/miriam-makeba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCc61z9IFu4
"I look at an ant and I see myself: a native South African, endowed by nature with a strength much greater than my size so I might cope with the weight of a racism that crushes my spirit." - Miriam Makeba
March 4th is Garrett Morgan Day!!!
Garrett Morgan is the inventor of the traffic light signal and the gas mask. Those are the inventions that he is most well known for, but he also invented many other things that help in almost every facet of life. He was a brilliant man and someone that definitely should be celebrate for his accomplishments.Thank you Mr. Morgan for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Garrett Morgan. :-)
http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventors/a/Garrett_Morgan.htm
March 2nd is Dr. Seuss Day!!!
What can I say about Dr. Seuss? He was and is still just amazing!!! His writing is some of the best and most influential there is. I always enjoyed his books and still do to this day. In honor of Dr. Seuss today read one of his books whether it is hard copy or soft on your kindle or whatever. He is a true inspiration to all!!!Thank you Dr. Seuss for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Dr. Seuss. :-)
http://www.seussville.com/#/author
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRWeZy-S8Q
"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities." - Dr. Seuss
March 1st is Harry Belafonte Day!!!
This is one of my favorite people of all time!!! I loved and admired Mr. Belafonte before I really even knew who he was, but now that I have learned more about him in the last couple years, he is truly one of my heroes!!!! Most people have heard Mr. Belafonte's songs and maybe not even known it was him, like I did. He is most famous for his Calypso/Caribbean style music. Which you can tell if you really listen is the real influence for Reggae music, he is not recognized for this, but he definitely should be. His voice in my opinion is one of the best male voices ever - so clear, clean, crisp, and sooo flowing, literally gives me chills when I listen to his music! He was a true triple threat as well - singing, dancing, and acting - he pretty much dabbled in just about anything and everything you could think of.
Not only is his music amazing, but he was a strong presence in the civil rights movement and worked very closely Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He broke sooo many color barriers in entertainment I won't name them all here, but look up some history and facts on him and you will see all the accomplishments and everything he earned through the tough struggles. Mr. Belafonte still to this day at 85 years of age working for civil and human rights. He is one person that I would really love to meet some day before he passes, just to get a little bit of his spirit would be amazing!!! Much love and respect to this great man! Thank you Mr. Belafonte for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Harry Belafonte.
http://www.biography.com/people/harry-belafonte-12103211
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AjovHGK-TA
"You can cage the singer but not the song." - Harry Belafonte
February 29th is Sgt. William H. Carney Day!!!
Sgt. William H. Carney was the First African American Congressional medal of Honor Recipient. He was a part of the Massachussets 54th Regimen during the civil war and lead the charge on Fort Wagner. He never gave up the flag and the fight even though he sooo close to death. Thank you Mr. Carney for all of your contributions and inspiration! Please click the link below and learn more about Sgt. William H. Carney. :-)
http://www.nbhistoricalsociety.org/sgtcarney.html
"Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!" - Sgt. William H. Carney
