► Black History Month
DAY 1:
Malcom X
May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965
To his admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Day 2
Rosa Parks
February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005
The mother of the freedom Movement.
‘She sat so that we could stand up’
Parks' act of defiance became an important symbol of the modern Civil Rights Movement and Parks became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. She organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including boycott leader Martin Luther King, Jr., helping to launch him to national prominence in the civil rights movement.
Day 3
Bob Marley
(6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981)
He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers (1963–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafarian movement to a worldwide audience.
Day 4
Aretha Franklin
March 25, 1942-Present
Franklin is adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Franklin is best known for her songs ‘respect’ and ‘say a little prayer’. She still manages to shock the world with her amazing voice and she was the only featured singer at the 2009 presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.
Day 5
Martin Luther King Jr.
(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)
'Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see whole staircase, just take the first step'
He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King is often presented as a heroic leader in the history of modern American liberalism.
A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. There, he expanded American values to include the vision of a colour blind society, and established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.
In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means. By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and stopping the Vietnam War.
Day 6
Madame C.J. Walker
(December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919)
Was an African-American businesswoman, hair care entrepreneur and philanthropist. She made her fortune by developing and marketing a hugely successful line of beauty and hair products for black women under the company she founded, Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. Without the start-up and the help from walkers company the progression of hair products wouldn’t be where it is today.
Day 7
Condoleezza Rice
November 14, 1954-Present
Rice was the first African-American woman secretary of state she was the second African American secretary of state and the second woman secretary of state. Rice has accomplished a lot in her life and she give hope to all women and all African Americans that they can do anything that they put their minds to.
Day 8
Barack Obama
(August 4, 1961-Present)
Obama is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Not only is he the first African American in office he is pretty cool in being there. The Nobel Peace Prize 2009 was awarded to Barack H. Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".
Day 9
Muhammed Ali
(January 17, 1942-present)
Is an American former boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. After turning professional, he went on to become the first and only boxer to win the lineal heavyweight championship three times. He was nicknames ‘the greatest’ and he 100% deserved it.
Day 10
Nelson Mandela
(18 July 1918)
In 1962 Mandela was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges, and sentenced to life in prison. Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela led his party in the negotiations that led to multi-racial democracy in 1994. As president from 1994 to 1999, he frequently gave priority to reconciliation. From 1994 to 1999, Mandela served as President of South Africa. Mandela has received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.
Day 11
Mahatma Ghandi
(2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948)
Was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. A pioneer of Satyagraha, or resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience—a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa, or total nonviolence—Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
Day 12
Nina Simone
(February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003)
Was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music. Simone aspired to become a classical pianist while working in a broad range of styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. After 20 years of performing, she became involved in the civil rights movement and the direction of her life shifted once again. Simone's music was highly influential in the fight for equal rights in the US.
Day 13
Jo Frazier
(January 12, 1944-present)
Known as Smokin' Joe, is a former Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose notable professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a brief comeback in 1981. The International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) rates Frazier among the ten greatest heavyweights of all time.
Day 14
Harriet Tubman
(March 1822 – March 10, 1913)
Was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the American Civil War. After escaping from slavery, into which she was born, she made thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. She later helped John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry, and in the post-war era struggled for women's suffrage. All that Tubman did in her life she made all tasks worthwhile and seem achievable!!!
Day 15
Bessie Coleman
(January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926)
Was an American civil aviator. She was the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license.
Day 16
Maya Angelou
(April 4, 1928-Present)
Is an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiography" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first and most highly acclaimed, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her first seventeen years.
Day 17
Mary Seacole
(1805 – 14 May 1881)
Was a Jamaican nurse best known for her involvement in the Crimean War. She set up and operated boarding houses in Panama and the Crimea to assist in her desire to treat the sick. Seacole was taught herbal remedies and folk medicine by her mother, who kept a boarding house for disabled European soldiers and sailors. Today, she is noted for her bravery and medical skills and as "a woman who succeeded despite the racial prejudice of influential sections of Victorian society”
Day 18
Booker T. Washington
(April 5, 1856 – November 14, 1915)
Was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915. Representative of the last generation of black leaders born in slavery, he spoke on behalf of the large majority of blacks who lived in the South but had lost their right to vote. While his opponents called his powerful network of supporters the "Tuskegee Machine," Washington maintained his power because of the sponsorship of powerful whites, widespread support within the black business, educational and religious communities nationwide, his ability to raise large amounts of money from philanthropists, and his accommodation to the political realities of the age of Jim Crow segregation.
In addition to his contributions in education, Washington wrote 14 books; his autobiography, Up From Slavery, first published in 1901, is still widely read today. During a difficult period of transition, he did much to improve the working relationship between the races. His work greatly helped blacks to achieve higher education, financial power and understanding of the U.S. legal system. This led to a foundation of the skill set needed to support the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and further adoption of important federal civil rights laws.
Day 19
Jessie Owens
(September 12, 1913 – March 31, 1980)
He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump, and as part of the 4x100 meter relay team. He was the most successful athlete at the 1936 Summer Olympics, a victory more poignant and often noted because Adolf Hitler had intended the 1936 games to showcase his Aryan ideals and prowess. Just before the competitions, Owens was visited in the Olympic village by Adi Dassler, the founder of the Adidas athletic shoe company. He persuaded Owens to use Adidas shoes, the first sponsorship for a male African-American athlete.
Day 20
Jimi Hendrix
(November 27, 1942– September 18, 1970)
Was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter. He is widely considered to be the greatest electric guitarist in musical history, and one of the most influential musicians of his era across a range of genres
Day 21
Bernie Mac
(October 5, 1957 – August 9, 2008)
was an American actor and comedian. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L. Hughley as The Original Kings of Comedy.
After briefly hosting the HBO show Midnight Mac, Mac appeared in several films in smaller roles. His most noted film role was as Frank Catton in the remake Ocean's Eleven and the titular character of Mr. 3000. He was the star of The Bernie Mac Show, which ran from 2001 through 2006, earning him two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. His other films included starring roles in Booty Call, Friday, The Players Club, Head of State, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Bad Santa, Guess Who, Pride, Soul Men, Transformers and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.
Bernie mac was and still remains one the greatest comedians alongside Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.
Day 22
Gloria Gaynor
(September 7, 1949-present)
is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" "Never Can Say Goodbye" "Let Me Know (I Have a Right)" and "I Am What I Am" with such amazing songs under her belt at the age of 62 she still manages
Day 23
Dame Kelly Holmes
(born 19 April 1970-present)
Is a retired British middle distance athlete. She specialised in the 800 metres and 1500 metres events and won a gold medal for both distances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She set British records in numerous events and still holds the records over the 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 metres distances.
Day 24
Usain Bolt
(born 21 August 1986-present)
Is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and (along with his teammates) the 4×100 metres relay. He is the reigning Olympic champion in these three events. Usain Bolt currently stands as the fastest man in the world!!!
Day 25
Afrika Bambaataa
Is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture as well as the Father of The Electro Funk Sound. Through his co-opting of the street gang the Black Spades into the music and culture-oriented Universal Zulu Nation, he is responsible for spreading hip hop culture throughout the world. On September 27, 2007, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Day 26
Louis Armstrong
(August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971)
Was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an "inventive" cornet and trumpet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the music's focus from collective improvisation to solo performance.
Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to "cross over," whose skin-color was secondary to his amazing talent in an America that was severely racially divided. It allowed him socially acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society that were highly restricted for a person of color. While he rarely publicly politicized his race, often to the dismay of fellow African-Americans, he was privately a strong supporter of the Civil Rights movement in America.
Day 27
Marcus Garvey
“Our union must know no clime, boundary, or nationality… let us hold together under all climes and in every country”
was a Jamaican publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator who was a staunch proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, to which end he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League He founded the Black Star Line, part of the Back-to-Africa movement, which promoted the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands.
Day 28
Oprah Winfrey
(January 29, 1954-present)
Is an American media proprietor, businesswoman, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist, best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century, the greatest black philanthropist in American history, and was for a time the world's only black billionaire. She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world.
Day 29
Halle Berry
(August 14th 1966- Present)
is an American actress, a former fashion model, and beauty queen. Berry received an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and an NAACP Image Award for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and won an Academy Award for Best Actress and was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2001 for her performance in Monster's Ball, becoming the first and, as of 2011, only woman of African American descent to have won the award for Best Actress. She is one of the most highly paid actresses in Hollywood and also a Revlon spokeswoman. She has been involved in the production side of several of the films in which she performed.
Day 30
Whoopi Goldberg
(November 13, 1955-Present)
Is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, and talk show host.
Goldberg has been nominated for 13 Emmy Awards for her work in television. She was co-producer of the popular game show Hollywood Squares from 1998 to 2004. She has been the moderator of the daytime talk show The View since 2007. Goldberg has a Grammy, two Emmys, two Golden Globes, a Tony( production not acting), and an Oscar. In addition, Goldberg has a British Academy Film Award, four People's Choice Awards and has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award.
Day 31
Mos Def
(December 11, 1973-present.)
He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which released the album Black Star in 1998. He was a major force in the late 1990s underground hip hop explosion spearheaded by Rawkus Records. As a solo artist he has released the albums Black on Both Sides in 1999, The New Danger in 2004, True Magic in 2006, and The Ecstatic in 2009.
Although he was initially recognized for his musical output, since the early 2000s, Mos Def's screen work has established him as one of only a handful of rappers who have garnered critical approval for their acting work. Mos Def has also been active in several social and political issues.
