Black History Month : A New Series of Stories
2024 is here, and February brings with it Black History Month, a time to for us to highlight to African Americans who had outsized or underappreciated contributions to our great nation.
This month, Seeds of Literacy will release a new video each week to talk about a different story. We’ve selected a group of people who highlight the struggles and the triumphs that black Americans have experienced.
The story of the black experience in America is more vital than ever, and the truth is that America has a complicated history with race. In fact, just talking about this history has been known to make some people feel uncomfortable. However, it’s only by exploring these issues that we can begin moving forward. By looking at the human beings who have been a fundamental part of our nation, we get a better sense of the legacy that we as Americans all share, allowing us to develop a greater sense of empathy and compassion that is truly needed to help us carry America into the future together.
So, I hope you’ll join me throughout the month in exploring these fascinating stories. Also, please watch some of the other videos we’ve made in the past. Finally, if you’d like to see more of our videos, please like and subscribe below. We’ve got plenty of other stories for you to explore.
~ Chris Richards, West Site Coordinator
AUDRE LORDE
During her life, Audre Lorde was an award-winning writer, a powerful speaker, and a motivational force in multiple countries. She didn’t limit herself to advocating for only one cause. In her words, “there’s no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.”
MUHAMMAD ALI
The best athlete of all time… That’s a hard legacy to live up to, but one man has frequently been given that title — Muhammad Ali, the champion boxer who was just as well known for his tongue-twisting-trash-talk as he was for his prowess in the ring. Ali was undeniably one of the most charismatic, engaging people in American history, and he offers a fascinating legacy that goes far beyond his monumental achievements in sports.
JANE BOLIN
Jane Bolin may never have been President or a senator, but her work helped America take a meaningful step forward towards the principles of liberty, and justice, for all.
GORDON PARKS
Prolific photojournalist Gordon Parks pointed his camera to capture the incredible stories of African Americans during the Great Depression. He later became one of Vogue’s first Black fashion photographers, freelancing for Glamour and Ebony, and eventually catching the attention of Life magazine who hired him for iconic photo essays. Hollywood made him one of the first highly acclaimed Black directors and he’s credited with inventing “blaxploitation” with 1971’s Shaft. A true renaissance man, he published memoirs, novels, & poetry, in addition to his volumes of photographic work. In the late 80s, he produced, directed, and composed the score for a ballet dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.