More than 28 Days

More than 28 days is a hashtag that caught my attention on Google+ during the month of February. The poster, Kymberlyn Reed, took a unique approach to Black History Month. Instead of using the #blackhistorymonth tag, she used her tag to hammer home the fact that Black History Month should certainly be “observed” longer than twenty eight days. Ms. Reed has the right idea. While Black History Month,(just like Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and other months/observances I’m sure I’m missing), serves to highlight some the achievements of Black people, it shouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb. Black people helped build the United States, and often their achievements were either swept under the rug or stolen by whites. When I had a classroom of eager to learn fourth and fifth graders, I certainly didn’t wait until February to tell them about what is basically the history of… Continued

Black History Month – Emmett Chappelle

I had not heard of Emmett Chappelle until my oldest son did a paper on him in fourth grade. This brief blurb does nothing to highlight the numerous contributions that Mr Chappelle has made to the area of science. I pass this brief biography on so that you too may discover this “under the radar” brilliant scientist who was born on a farm in Arizona. Born on October 25, 1925 on a farm in Arizona, Emmett Chappelle was determined not to be shaped by his environment. The farm did not have electricity until he was twelve years old and he attended a one-room school. After graduated from the Phoenix Union Colored High School in 1942, he was drafted into the US Army. He was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program, where he was able to take some engineering courses. Later, he was reassigned to the all-Black 92nd Infantry Division

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Black History Month Facts – Condoleezza Rice

Whatever your politics, you cannot deny the fierceness of Ms. Condoleezza Rice. Not only does she know her college football and football in general, she started college at the University of Denver when she was merely 15 years old. She was the first Black woman to be appointed national security adviser and U.S. Secretary of State. She is also the first woman and the first Black American to serve as provost of Stanford University. Ms. Rice is an accomplished concert pianist. At the age of 15, she performed a Mozart composition with the Denver Symphony and while serving as Secretary of State, she played with a chamber music group. In addition, she performed for Queen Elizabeth II and has played with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin. Her favorite composer is Brahms, because as she puts it, his music is “passionate but not sentimental”. Furthermore, she