Loving Black History

 

 Growing up I remember my grandmother telling me that I always needed to know my history. She instilled in me the desire to learn more about myself and my culture. She would share books with me and tell me stories of great black leaders throughout history. Every year in the month of February the United States and a few other countries recognize the accomplishments and achievements from the black community. However, as my grandmother stated it's important to know your history. So have you ever thought about how Black History Month came about. 

In 1915, The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland. This organization was created to research and promote the accomplishments of Black Americans as well as people from African descent. By 1926, the organization had sponsored Negro History Week. They chose the second week of the second month because it would fall in line with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. As the decades went by Negro History Week grew across the country. In 1976, President Gerald Ford declared February Black History Month. 

While in school during the month of February we would learn about some of the notable black men and women who made great contributions to this country. Yes, it was great to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriett Tubman. However, there were many more contributions made to this country from the black community that go unrecognized. 

Granville Woods

Granville Woods was born April 23, 1856 in Columbus, Ohio to free Black Americans. He held many careers in the industrial and engineering fields before beginning his own company that created electrical apparatuses. Throughout his lifetime he patented almost 60 projects. Some of them were a trolley wheel and telephone transmitter. He is also known as the "Black Edison" because he defeated Thomas Edison's lawsuit against him for the multiplex telegraph. 

Mary Jane Patterson

Mary Jane Patterson was born to fugitive slaves in 1840 in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1862, she became the first Black woman to graduate from Oberlin College. She received her B.A. and would go onto become an educator. She had opportunities to teach in Philadelphia at the Institute for Colored Youths and then went on to teach at the Preparatory High School for Colored Youths in Washington, D.C. Later in her career she became the first Black principal for the Preparatory High School for Negroes.

Alexander Crummell

Alexander Crummell was born to free Black Americans on March 3, 1819 in New York City. With odds stacked against him he became and Episcopalian minister. In 1853, he became the first black student who graduated from University of Cambridge. For about 20 years he lived in Liberia. He advocated that Blacks relocate to the country. When he moved back to Washington, D.C. in the 1870's he continued his work in the church. In 1897, he was a founder of the American Negro Academy. 

These individuals made great contributions throughout their lives. I strongly urge you to continue discovering more about yourself, your family, and your culture. There are many great things people from the Black community have done. Also, remember that our history did not start with slavery and end with the civil rights movement. Our history started centuries before that and will continue for centuries to come. One great man I was told about as a college student was Mansa Musa I. This man ruled over the country of Mali and his net worth today is an estimated $400 billion. Think about the great things you can do with the right knowledge and opportunities. 

Although, it is nationally recognized during the month of February, Black History is not confined to one month each year. Continue researching and discovering more about the people who have made great strides for our community and for the world over. 

References:

http://www.biography.com/people/alexander-crummell-37889

http://www.biography.com/people/granville-t-woods-9536481

http://www.biography.com/people/mary-jane-patterson

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

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