#bhmchallenge2020

Day # 28 Nafae Utman was an Eritrean intellect, philosopher, and historian. Referred to as "Eritrea's Albert Einstein." Utman was responsible for documenting the Tigre language oral tradition dating back to 1907. Utman was from a small village named Gheleb, approximately 30 miles away from my small village of Keren. He was a brilliant mind from a very young age and excelled in his studies. People took notice of Utman's eagerness for education and his shear passion to learn. So focused on his progression, the idea of him attending a Catholic elementary school, even though he was Muslim never troubled him. Through the admiration of the missionaries at his school, Utman was invited to Sweden to study essentially as a roadscholar. That was right when Italy was invading Eritrea, so that move naturally made sense. In his studies much of his focus was in political theory, moral philosophy and indigenous literature. Utman is still the leading name in Tigre studies. His early work was in the philosophy of language, and its influence carries relevant until this day. Utman's works created the ‘Golden Era’ in the history and development of the Tigre language. In just three years his writings were published in Holland, then translated into German and English. Along with the help of German scholar Eno Littman; Utman completed eight volumes on the subject. Which included everything from cultural taboos, war cries, as well as curses and blessings. There are also 717 traditional songs with 1400 stanzas. Utman was also the man behind the Tigre-English-German dictionary in 1962.This 740-page book is one of the biggest works Utman contributed to the culture and language of the Tigre society. Thanks to Utman, even during colonial military advances wouldn't deter his passion & love for Eritrea. He successfully documented and preserved one of Africa's(humankinds) of the oldest languages. #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #powertothePeople #blackandproud #blackisbeautiful #legend #nafaeutman #eritrea #africa #revolution #geniuses #colonizersbackup (at Gheleb, Eritrea) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9HTes-BeWP/?igshid=17obt5933y07s

Day # 26 Willy T. Ribbs  is a legendary American race car driver from San Jose,California. Ribbs is the first Black race car driver to qualify for Indianapolis 500 as well as the first to drive a Formula One car. Referred to as the Jackie Robinson of car racing, Ribbs integrated the all white sport, against alot of opposition. Ribbs did it by destroying the competition, race by race. He was often referred to as "Uppity" because of his confident, bold and charming demeanor. He figured "your gonna have to beat me, if you want to kick me out of racing, racing is the best thing next to heaven" Ribbs was called racial slurs, recieved death threats and his race car was often times vandalized and engine sabotaged. With all this, Ribbs still made it out victorious, going on to compete in many forms of auto racing, like the Trans-Am Series, IndyCar, Champ Car, IMSA, the NASCAR Cup Series and Gander Outdoors Truck Series. Ribbs at one time was the overall top money earner in SCAA series history. Soon after retiring from professional car racing he became a sport shooter in the National Sporting Clays. #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #powertothePeople #blackandproud #blackisbeautiful #legend #willytribe #transamseries #nascar trans-amseries (at San Jose, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9CTydhhwM6/?igshid=1gunoaf2wpkm3

Day # 25 Shaun King is a writer, civil rights activist, social critic, public intellectual and co-founder of Real Justice PAC. King is known for his use of social media to promote social justice causes. King is an outspoken voice and advocate for all things related to the empowerment of Black America. He often focuses on social justice, police brutality issues as well as on the role of race, gender, and class in American society. King is a heavy supporter of the the Black Lives Matter movement. And is often times the only media outlet reporting on state sanctioned attacks on the Black community. His reliable media outlet makes it easy to read information that isn't indoctrinated in inherent oppressive rhetoric. Kings content is both refreshing and informative. And with so much "Fake news", "Clipbaiting" and "Misleading Thumbnails" out there, it's important to thoroughly inspect all your sources of information. We are currently slap bang right in the middle of the Information Age, also known as the Computer, Digital, or New Media Age. Making information easily and readibly accessible, in the snap of a finger. So be mindful and always question your sources, to ensure your not being Bamboozled. On a personal note, King recently reported on the murder of Chinedu V. Okobi an unarmed Black man at the hands of the San Mateo Sheriff's Department.This specific incident was close and fear becaus it involved a close childhood friend of mine and King's fellow Morehouse alumn. Kings article honored Chinedu life and gave voice to his side of the story; and for that I salute you bro. #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #powertothePeople #blackandproud #blackisbeautiful #blacklivesmatter #Legend #chineduokobi #realjusticepac (at Versailles, Kentucky) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_zhB_BxgY/?igshid=1a2eespekbooj

Day # 22 Gregory Hines was a tap dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer who was a major figure in the revitalization of tap dancing in the late 20th century. Born and raised in Harlem, Hines began tap dancing at 2 years old, then semi professionally by age 5. Hines took lessons with world renowned dancer and choreographer Henry Le Tang. By age six Hines was a certified dance prodigy and would make his debut performance at the Apollo Theater, and two years later he made his Broadway debut, which essentially served as his first steps toward stardom. Hines was an avid improviser who did a lot of improvisation of tap steps, tap sounds, and tap rhythms alike. His improvisation was like that of a drummer, doing a solo and coming up with all sorts of rhythms. A laid back dancer, he usually wore nice pants and a loose fitting shirt. Although he inherited the roots and tradition of the Black rhythmic tap, he also influenced the new Black rhythmic tap, as a proponent. Hines was a master of the craft, purposely obliterating the tempos and throwing down a cascade of taps that sounded more like pebbles tossed across a linoleum floor. Hines aligned tap with the latest free form experiments in jazz and new music and postmodern dance. Hines was also a decorated actor, after critics took note of his comedic charm, he would go onto appear in a handful of movies and tv shows. Hines would rack up a slew of acting awards and accolades like a Daytime Emmy Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award. Throughout his successful acting career, Hines still remained the biggest advocate for tap dancing in America. He petitioned the creation of National Tap Dance Day, which is celebrated in 40 U.S cities,as well as 8 other nations. He was on the board of directors of Manhattan Tap, a member of the Jazz Tap Ensemble, and a member of the American Tap Dance Foundation. If that's not enough he also did duet with Luther Vandross that hit the #1 position on the Billboard R&B charts. #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #blackandproud #blackisbeautiful #Legend #gregoryhines #tapdance #tap #ballet #dance #jazz #Dormeshia #procreate (at Sugar Hill Harlem) https://www.instagram.com/p/B831jq_BPDh/?igshid=9ouhaeyikmsa

Day # 21 Toni Morrison was an novelist, essayist, book editor, and a college professor. Her novels were critically acclaimed and brought her national attention. Morrison won the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Pulitzer Prize as well as the Nobel Prize in Literature. Morrison was one of the rare American authors whose books were both critical and commercial successes. Her novels appeared regularly on the New York Times best-seller list, and were featured multiple times on the Oprah Winfrey’s television book club and were the subject of myriad critical studies. A longtime faculty member at Princeton, Ms. Morrison lectured widely and was seen often on television. Her stories usually identified and spoke on the narrative and experiences of the Black community; more specifically Black Women. Her narratives mingle the voices of men, women, children and even ghosts in layered polyphony. Myth, magic and superstition are inextricably intertwined with everyday word she weaves in her Literature. Morrison was once asked how they can live up to their potential and Morrison so eloquently stated that "If you wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down." #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #blackandproud #blackisbeautiful #Legend #tonimorrison #beloved #thebluesteye #songofsolomon #nobelpeaceprize #Nationalbookcritics #Circleaward #PulitzerPrize (at Lorain, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B81QX4OHM52/?igshid=1tcrm1pvvqzyk

Day # 20 Gordon Parks was a world-renowned photographer, musician, author, poet, composer and film director. Who became a prominent Documentary Photojournalist for over three decades spanning from 1940s through the 1970s. Best remembered for his iconic photos of African Americans in the poor intercity. Parks would particularly cover issues of civil rights, race, poverty and the African-American experience. Parks had an eye for capturing the most powerful images. Photos that capsulate the strength, pain, pride of his muses. Allowing the world a birdseye view inside their pain, passion, and purpose. A pioneer among filmmakers, he was the first African American to produce and direct major motion pictures. Parks developed films that related to the experience of slaves and struggling Black Americans. Parks saw the value in documenting Black people just simply begging Black, he also created the "blaxploitation" genre. Parks directed the movie Shaft, so i mean it when I say this cat, Gordon Parks is a Baaaaad Mother (Shut your mouth) #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #blackandproud #blackisbeautiful #Legend #gordonparks #civilrightsmovement #blaxploitation #shaft #photograply #photojournalist #procreate https://www.instagram.com/p/B8yuEMSH5WX/?igshid=1l7tt5ficwp6b

Day #19 Elisabeth Domitien was the first woman to serve as Prime Minister in Africa. She was the Prime Minister of Central African Republic in the mid 70's. Domitien was often described as a woman who showed extraordinary strength in her eyes and authority in her voice. She also had a dynamic personality, was enterprising and a skillful speaker. From humble beginnings she used these traits to become a successful farmer/businesswoman. Domitien would then go to mobilize the population with her speeches in Sangho, helping to unite different groups and created a sense of national identity. She became head of the women's group in the independence movement, the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa She served as a political adviser as well as the vice president under President Bokassa in 1965(after a successful coup) Bokassa now as the head of the party, would appoint Elisabeth Domitien the Prime Minister. Now that's Bossy as it gets, whoever coined the term "It's a Man's World" obviously never met the late, great Elisabeth Domitien. #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #blackandproud #blackisbeautiful #Legend #elisabethdomitien #centralafricianrepublic #primeminister #godisablackwoman #blackwomen #blackgirlmagic #melanin #blackmen #blackexcellence #blackgirlsrock #procreate (at Central African Republic) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wEPeLhPRW/?igshid=wuf72lze12gq

Day #18 Ida Bell Wells was an investigative journalist, educator, and an early leader in the both the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Suffrage Movement. Wells was also one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Born into slavery in Holly Springs, Mississippi, then later Emancipated  during the American Civil War; Wells would move with some of her siblings to Memphis, Tennessee. Where she found better pay as a teacher. Soon after, Wells co-owned and wrote for the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper. Her reporting covered incidents of racial segregation and inequality. In the 1890s, Wells documented lynching in the United States through her indictment called "Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in all its Phases," investigating frequent claims of whites that lynchings were reserved for black criminals only. Wells exposed lynching as a barbaric practice of whites in the South used to intimidate and oppress African Americans who created economic and political competition—and a subsequent threat of loss of power—for whites. A white mob destroyed her newspaper office and presses as her investigative reporting was carried nationally in black-owned newspapers. That wasnt enough to deter her strong will, Wells then moved to Chicago were she would continue her hardline investigating and chronicling the injustices that Blacks faced in America.Wells continued her work writing, speaking, and organizing for civil rights and the women's movement for the rest of her life. Wells was outspoken regarding her beliefs as a Black female activist and faced regular public disapproval, sometimes including from other leaders within the civil rights movement and the women's suffrage movement. A skilled and persuasive speaker, Wells traveled nationally and internationally on lecture tours. Speaking on the experiences and sharing with the world the true horrors and longing effects of slavery in America. Wells work, helped expose the ruthlessness and magnitude of suffering caused by White American soon after the Emancipation Proclamation. #BHMChallenge2020 #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #blackexcellence #staywoke #blackandproud #blackisbea (at Holly Springs, Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8tdUIHh1gu/?igshid=b8es5ndj9d10