Hey Lovelies,
Before Black History Month comes to an end I want to highlight the power and perseverance of Black leaders currently creating history as we speak!
You can also listen to my latest podcast episode, "Black History Month: Embracing The Learning Curves" out now!
Lisa Blunt Rochester
In 2017, Lisa Blunt Rochester became the first woman and Black person to represent the state of Delaware in Congress.
According to ABC News Blunt Rochester is favored to win November's election. If elected, she would become the first woman and person of color to represent Delaware in the Senate.
The Delaware congresswoman is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a strong proponent of reforming our criminal justice system, Lisa introduced first-in-the-nation legislation, the Clean Slate Act, sealing the federal records of former nonviolent offenders that remain crime-free and have earned a second chance. This bill would provide new opportunities for Americans to earn a good-paying job, pursue education and training, and rent or own a home. According to estimates by the Center for American Progress, the passage of the Clean Slate Act could boost the U.S. economy by as much as $87 billion per year.
Charles Bolden
In 1980, Charles F. Bolden, a U.S. Marine pilot, was selected as part of the second group of space shuttle astronauts. His inaugural space voyage occurred in January 1986 aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Bolden served as the pilot for the STS-61C mission, lasting six days and involving the deployment of a commercial communications satellite. This mission was significant as it included the first flight of a U.S. Congressman, C. William “Bill” Nelson, who later became NASA's 14th administrator. Notably, STS-61C was the only mission to have two future NASA administrators on board.
Amanda Gorman
American poet and activist, Amanda Gorman, made history by being the youngest poet to perform at a U.S. presidential inauguration with her poem "The Hill We Climb," propelling her to international fame. Growing up in Los Angeles with a single mother, Gorman overcame speech challenges, which she credits for enhancing her skills as a writer and reader. Her writing delves into themes like oppression, race, feminism, marginalization, and the complexities of the African Diaspora. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai, she became a UN youth delegate in 2013. Gorman was named the youth poet laureate of Los Angeles in 2014 and published her first poetry book, "The One for Whom Food is Not Enough," a year later. While at Harvard College in 2017, she became the inaugural National Youth Poet Laureate and received the OZY Genius Award.
Keke Palmer
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Congratulations to the remarkable Keke Palmer the American actress, singer, and television host. She is the host of Password who made history in January as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host. Impressively, she is also the first woman to achieve this honor in over a decade. She is known for playing both leading and character roles in comedy and drama productions. She has also created and hosts her own podcast. She has received several accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, five NAACP Image Awards; along with nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates, an author, journalist, and activist, participated in a panel discussion at The Apollo Theater on February 27, 2018, in New York City. His notable works include "Between the World and Me," which won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction, and "We Were Eight Years In Power: An American Tragedy," a compilation of new and previously released essays reflecting on the Obama era.
Let's honor the past and pave the way for a brighter future. We stand strong and proud, never forgetting our roots and the strides we have made. Together, we are unstoppable and can achieve anything. Happy Black History Month!
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