All articles tagged with #black history
A Black Globe Magazine writer recalls a childhood shaped by racial exclusion from pools and a decades-long fear of water; she overcomes it through YMCA adult swim lessons and exposure therapy, reconnecting with her family’s history and learning to swim as a tribute to ancestors and to broader Black histories of access to water and safety.
The National Park Service replaced panels about slavery and George Washington’s ownership of enslaved people at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia with a version critics say sanitizes history, installing the changes overnight and prompting controversy and legal action; the site’s President’s House excavation continues to highlight the stories of nine enslaved individuals who lived with Washington.
As America nears its 250th anniversary, the White House’s rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and moves to reshape how Black history is taught collide with critics’ warnings that civil-rights protections are at risk; federal agencies and cultural institutions have revised or removed Black history content, DEI offices are downsized, and debates over how history is preserved and narrated intensify.
At TD Garden, the NBA celebrated Black History Month with the first Pioneers Classic, honoring Chuck Cooper Sr., Earl Lloyd and Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton as the league’s first Black players; the event included family appearances and tributes, plus announcements of $150,000 in scholarships to HBCUs (West Virginia State and Xavier) and a five-year, $750,000 commitment from the NBA Foundation and NBPA Foundation to support HBCUs.
Nina Simone's childhood home in Tryon, North Carolina, has been restored after decades of decay, funded by a collective of Black artists to preserve Black history and culture, and is set to become a cultural site and museum by 2027, highlighting the importance of private efforts in cultural preservation amid federal funding cuts.
Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest U.S. park ranger and a pioneering advocate for Black and women's history, passed away at 104. Her life was marked by resilience, activism, and storytelling, from surviving the Great Mississippi Flood to working in segregated industries, founding a Black-owned record store, and dedicating her later years to preserving overlooked histories at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Her legacy includes numerous honors, a memoir, and a school named in her honor, inspiring ongoing conversations about justice and inclusion.
Artist Theaster Gates will create a large-scale artwork at the Obama Presidential Center featuring a monumental portrait of Black life and women, using archival images from Ebony and Jet magazines to celebrate Black culture and history, emphasizing the importance of archives and cultural memory.
Artist Theaster Gates will create a large-scale artwork at the Obama Presidential Center featuring a monumental portrait of Black life and women, using archival images from Ebony and Jet magazines to celebrate Black culture and history, emphasizing the importance of archives and cultural memory.
MacKenzie Scott donated $40 million to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, doubling her previous support and emphasizing her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion amid ongoing challenges to DEI initiatives, and highlighting her significant role in funding Black cultural preservation.
Kerry James Marshall's exhibition 'The Histories' at the Royal Academy of Art in London showcases nearly five decades of his work, focusing on complex representations of Black history, including new series on African elites' roles in the slave trade, emphasizing the artist's commitment to depicting nuanced, historically rich images that challenge conventional narratives.
Tramell Tillman made history as the first Black man to win the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his role in 'Severance,' breaking a 77-year barrier in the category and joining a legacy of trailblazing actors.
Two pastors were arrested in St. Petersburg for attempting to block state crews from covering a Black History Matters mural outside the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, highlighting a protest against the mural's removal.
Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating Black emancipation, became a federal holiday in 2021 after President Biden signed legislation, and while there are questions about whether President Trump could cancel it, legal experts confirm only Congress has that power. The article also highlights various Juneteenth celebrations in Los Angeles and discusses debates around white participation and reparations, emphasizing the holiday's significance in Black history and culture.
Juneteenth, observed on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., marking the day in 1865 when Union General Granger announced freedom for enslaved individuals in Texas. It became a federal holiday in 2021, celebrated with community events, reflection, and education, emphasizing Black history and progress. The holiday features symbols like the Juneteenth flag, representing unity and hope, and is observed with various festivities, though private businesses may remain open.
Tyler Perry delivered a passionate speech at the BET Awards condemning the erasure of Black history and emphasizing the importance of remembering and leaving footprints of Black contributions, while also highlighting ongoing racial and political struggles in America.