South African, Anglican Priest, Civil Rights Activist. He was active throughout the Aparteid Era in his country. He showed the way to non-violent, yet very vocal resistance to the injustice that dominated the society he lived in. He was a partner to Nelson Mandela (another person from who much can still be learned). He was …
Black History Month 2022: Frederick Douglass “Fritz” Pollard
Here's another name that I didn't know...Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard. How about you? He was the first African-American football player at Brown University. He was also the first African-American coach in the National Football League. And this accomplishment was decades before the civil rights movement of the 1960's. I didn't know. Now I do. And …
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Black History Month 2022: Constance Baker Motley
Who is Constance Baker Motley, you might ask? I know I did... She happens to be the first Black female attorney to argue in front of the Supreme Court (she argued 10 cases in front of the high court, winning 9 of those cases). She was also the first Black woman elevated to the federal …
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Black History Month 2022: Pendarvis Harshaw
Great stories and insights from just up the road in Oakland, CA. A podcast called "Rightnowish", a public radio gem that just keeps giving. The dude behind the program? Pendarvis Harshaw, journalist and wonderous podcaster. Like what kinda podcasts? Like the piece I heard recently about Christina "Krea" Gomez Jones, featured in the podcast, "Big …
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Black History Month 2022: Code Switch – Can Therapy Solve Racism?
This show gives a lot of important insights on racism; I found this particular episode especially insightful. Take a listen; worth your time while you do the dishes or fold the laundry. one.npr.org/i/1080901973:1080980891 This podcast? Always worth it.
Black History Month 2022, Interlude
More than half way through this month, friendly reminder, what’s the point, Elevating some if the voices that should be heard, Motivating YOU to look them up, listen, learn, Consider the other voices of Black folks, celebrity or otherwise, Because real talk? We should listen to them all.
Black History Month 2022: Bill Russell
Before MJ, before LeBron, Koby, Larry, Steph, et. al., there was Bill Russell. University of San Francisco Dons. Boston Celtics. 2 National championships as a college player; 10 championships as a professional player. Hard worker, intelligent player, dominant player who came up when racism was overpowering the country. Thanks for showing us the way, Bill.
Black History Month 2022: Billie Holiday
A voice like no other, a lady who shined sublime on stage, overcame difficulties and demons, Billie Holiday. She played with the jazz greats, like Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and others. She had many hit songs, including the controversial “Strange Fruit”. She has a unique place in the great history of jazz music, …
Black History Month 2022: Clerow “Flip” Wilson
“The devil made me do it…!” And… “What you see is what you get…!” So said “Geraldine”, one of the several characters Clerow “Flip”Wilson created to deliver his comedy. One of the funniest people I ever heard. One of the best smiles, one of the brightest personalities…”Flip” Wilson. First African-American Host of a TV Variety …
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Black History Month 2022: Mahershala Ali
Haven't seen him in any of his movies -- a reflection of my poor time management vis a vis making time to see good films! -- but I know he's a trail blazer in his own right. A little younger than me, and from just up road, Oakland, California. Not only is he an actor, …