Curious? Want to Know More?
Learning about Black leaders, history, and cultures is an important way for us to expand our knowledge, and become more tolerant, thoughtful, and accepting. To help us move forwards, we have designed a curated list to help you explore 28 topics, events, and leaders from the global Black community. All of the topics below are examples of innovation, determination and perseverance.
This list is a celebration of excellence, in all of its many forms.
These topics are by no means exhaustive, they are merely windows into some potentially new or interesting learning that may help you grow and be inspired. Life only gets richer and fuller when we are exposed to
new ideas, perspectives, and worldviews.
Click here for Student Handout: Exploring 28 Days of Excellence
Topic: History of Black Hair and Braids
"The origin of braids can be traced back 5,000 years to African culture in 3,500 B.C.E., to the Himba people of Namibia. They were often a unique way to identify each person’s tribe, age, marital status, wealth, power, and religion." From there, the art of braiding has been carried on for generations, and quickly spread around the world. It was and continues to be an important part of Black culture and representation. Braiding is a social art. It began with the elders braiding their children, then the children would watch and learn from them. Younger children would start practicing and eventually learn the traditional styles. Because it takes a long time, many people gather and socialize while doing hair, and it has become an important tradition of bonding and community building. To learn more, watch the video and continue reading the article by Byrdie.. |
|
Topic: Afrofuturism
"Afrofuturism is the reimagining of a future filled with arts, science and technology seen through a black lens. When most people think of Afrofuturism today, the Marvel Universe’s Wakanda comes to mind, from the movie Black Panther. Afrofuturism is most evident in the fashion and set design of Wakanda, a hypnotic blend of African traditional art and dress, cyberpunk, and space opera. Before Black Panther, we could find Afrofuturism in literature, philosophy, music, fashion, and science fiction. In all of Afrofuturism’s many forms, we see the Black experience projected into the future, and we explore the different ways that race and difference will be experienced"... Read more at Wired Magazine. Or watch this video by Vox: How Afrofuturism mixes Sci-Fi and Social Justice
"Afrofuturism is the reimagining of a future filled with arts, science and technology seen through a black lens. When most people think of Afrofuturism today, the Marvel Universe’s Wakanda comes to mind, from the movie Black Panther. Afrofuturism is most evident in the fashion and set design of Wakanda, a hypnotic blend of African traditional art and dress, cyberpunk, and space opera. Before Black Panther, we could find Afrofuturism in literature, philosophy, music, fashion, and science fiction. In all of Afrofuturism’s many forms, we see the Black experience projected into the future, and we explore the different ways that race and difference will be experienced"... Read more at Wired Magazine. Or watch this video by Vox: How Afrofuturism mixes Sci-Fi and Social Justice
Topic: James Baldwin - Novelist, playwright, activist, essayist, poet
James Baldwin was an essayist, playwright, and novelist born in Harlem, New York, in 1924. He was one of the great writers of the 20th century, and an important voice of the American civil rights movement. He was known for works including 'Notes of a Native Son,' 'The Fire Next Time' and 'Go Tell It on the Mountain.' Baldwin broke new literary ground with his explorations of race, sexuality and social issues, and he has deepened our understanding of what it meant (and continues to mean) to be Black in America. Baldwin's brilliant voice and writings provoke us, and his reminders that "not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced," continue to inspire us today. Read more about James Baldwin's life here or look at this online exhibit called Chez Baldwin. |
|
|
Topic: Dorothy Vaughan, NASA mathematician
"Dorothy Vaughan was a mathematician, a computer programmer, and NASA’s first black manager. She was important part of the 'Hidden Figures' team at NASA in the 1960s, a group of 'human computers' completing complex mathematical calculations by hand, while segregated from the rest of NASA staff, because of race and sex. Rarely seen as the face of a space programme, Vaughan’s contributions were vast and should be acknowledged. As well as being the first African-American to receive a promotion at NASA, she was an expert in FORTRAN – a frontrunner of electronic computer programming." Read more at Science Museum, or watch the movie Hidden Figures and learn about the inspiring history of women in STEM careers. |
Topic: History of African-American Social Dance
Why do we dance? Why are there so many dance challenges on Tik Tok? The Bop, the Whip, the Dougie, and the Nae Nae are all modern forms of African social dances, that trace their roots back to the time of slavery. African-American social dances started as a way for enslaved Africans to keep cultural traditions alive, and retain a sense of inner freedom. They were (and continue to be) forms of protest, resistance, and self-expression. Today, social dances remain an affirmation of identity and independence, and a good reminder that "everything in the present is connected to the past." Listen to Camille A. Brown trace the connection between current dances and their historical roots in this TED-Ed video. |
|
Topic: Harlem Renaissance - the Jazz Age
The time following World War I was a time of change and transformation; a time of oppression and resistance. It was also a moment of incredible creativity in music, literature, and culture. The neighbourhood of Harlem, New York, was one of these cultural centres - a mecca where jazz music, fashion, dancing, literature, and the arts flourished. The 'Harlem Renaissance' is a time period in the early 20th century which is considered to be a golden age in African American culture. The Renaissance coincided with the Great Migration, a time period where many Black families from around the United States headed to New York, and established Harlem as a thriving Black neighbourhood. Read more about the Black Renaissance here, and listen to some of the Jazz Age's top songs on this Spotify playlist. Interested in Jazz Music? You may also want to explore the musicians of Paris Noir - another interesting topic about Black musicians in the inter-war period in Paris, France! |
|
|
Topic: Mansa Musa - Empire Builder & Wealthiest person in human history?
"Mansa Musa became ruler of the West African empire of Mali in 1312, and during his reign, became the wealthiest person in human history. He took the throne after the previous leader went missing on a voyage to find the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Musa’s rule came at a time when European nations were struggling due to raging civil wars and a lack of resources. During that period, the Mali Empire flourished thanks to the wealth gained from natural resources like gold and salt. During his time as leader Musa had many achievements, including the formation of a university that attracted scholars from around the world. It wasn’t until 1324 that the world outside of Mali’s border would get a glimpse of the king’s expansive wealth, when Musa set off on a journey to Mecca for his Hajj pilgrimage. The king travelled with 10,000 others drawing great attention to himself, and his wealth... Read more at History.com |
Topic: Kobe Bryant, athlete, coach, writer
Kobe Bryant was a professional basketball player that played for the L.A. Lakers, and one of the best to ever play the game. He was won MVP awards for League play, the NBA Finals Championship, and even won an Academy Award for his short film "Dear Basketball" - a love letter written to the game he adored. He is an icon to many in the Black community, and is remembered as a fierce competitor, known as 'the Black Mamba'. He worked hard to acknowledge and amend for past mistakes, becoming an avid supporter of women's basketball through his mentorship of female players in the WNBA, and also his own daughter, Gianna. Tragically, Kobe, Gianna, and five other passengers died in a helicopter crash on their way to a basketball game on January 26, 2020, bringing his short life to an end. Read more about Kobe in the Guardian - America's Imperfect Icon, and watch his beautiful short film here. |
|
|
Topic: Black Strathcona - Hogan's Alley
From the early 1900s to the late 1960s, east Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood was home to a vibrant Black community of up to 800 people. Here, Black businesses, artists, musicians, and families called home. Prominent families included people like Nora Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix's grandmother, whom Jimi would regularly visit. This was a diverse neighbourhood, home to many Chinese, Japanese and Italian Canadian families, and the Black community centered around Hogan's Alley. In the 1970's, the city of Vancouver built the Georgia Viaduct, demolishing the neighbourhood, and displacing families that had lived there for decades. Today, the Hogan's Alley society is raising awareness of this historic neighbourhood, and many in this city are lobbying for redress and justice for Vancouver's Black community. Learn more about the first Black neighbourhood in Vancouver at this interactive website, Black Strathcona. Listen to this spoken word poem about Jimi and Nora Hendrix here. |
Topic: Joe Fortes - Vancouverite of the Century
"'Vancouver Citizen of the Century” - Joe Fortes was credited with saving at least 29 lives from drowning, as well as teaching three generations of Vancouver children to swim in English Bay, downtown Vancouver. He was a model example of community service, with an incredible life story. In 1986, the Vancouver Historical Society formally declared Joe as “Vancouver Citizen of the Century”. Joe Fortes was most likely born in Port-of Spain, Trinidad, on February 9, 1863. He arrived in Vancouver in 1885 by accident, when the ship he was working on crashed, and he was stranded in the city. English Bay became his favourite part of Vancouver and he swam there as often as possible, while working odd jobs. Initially, he was recognized as the unofficial guardian of English Bay because of the volunteer work he performed, and in 1900, Joe became an official employee of the city and 'guardian of English Bay beach'. His duties included life guarding, swimming instructions and beach patrol as a special constable. Joe lived in temporary tent near the beach for years, until it was eventually replaced with a new house at 1708 Beach Avenue, allowing him to devote his full attention doing what he loved. He died of pneumonia on February 4, 1922. His funeral was conducted at Holy Rosary Cathedral to an overflow crowd, and an estimated 10,000 persons lined Dunsmuir, Granville, Hastings and Main streets. Schools all over Vancouver observed a 5-minute silence, as his funeral procession made its way to Mountain View Cemetery. He was beloved, and a great example of resilience and determination. Read more at BC Black History.ca or watch this short film about his life from CTV News.
"'Vancouver Citizen of the Century” - Joe Fortes was credited with saving at least 29 lives from drowning, as well as teaching three generations of Vancouver children to swim in English Bay, downtown Vancouver. He was a model example of community service, with an incredible life story. In 1986, the Vancouver Historical Society formally declared Joe as “Vancouver Citizen of the Century”. Joe Fortes was most likely born in Port-of Spain, Trinidad, on February 9, 1863. He arrived in Vancouver in 1885 by accident, when the ship he was working on crashed, and he was stranded in the city. English Bay became his favourite part of Vancouver and he swam there as often as possible, while working odd jobs. Initially, he was recognized as the unofficial guardian of English Bay because of the volunteer work he performed, and in 1900, Joe became an official employee of the city and 'guardian of English Bay beach'. His duties included life guarding, swimming instructions and beach patrol as a special constable. Joe lived in temporary tent near the beach for years, until it was eventually replaced with a new house at 1708 Beach Avenue, allowing him to devote his full attention doing what he loved. He died of pneumonia on February 4, 1922. His funeral was conducted at Holy Rosary Cathedral to an overflow crowd, and an estimated 10,000 persons lined Dunsmuir, Granville, Hastings and Main streets. Schools all over Vancouver observed a 5-minute silence, as his funeral procession made its way to Mountain View Cemetery. He was beloved, and a great example of resilience and determination. Read more at BC Black History.ca or watch this short film about his life from CTV News.
|
Topic: Alphonso Davies - Soccer Player, FIFA Best Men's XI, Burnaby Central student
Alphonso Davies is a 20 year old professional men's soccer player that was just recently been voted one of the top players in the world, by his fellow FIFA athletes. He was born in a refugee camp in Ghana in 2000, where his parents were seeking refuge after fleeing the civil war in Liberia. They moved to Edmonton, Canada when he was 5 years old, and eventually Alphonso made his way to Burnaby Central Secondary to join the Whitecaps soccer program. He started playing MLS professional soccer at age 15 for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and now plays for Bayern Munich in Germany. He is incredibly athletic, hardworking, and family-oriented, and his story is truly inspiring. Watch this short film by Vice Sports, and continue learning more about Alphonso by watching "Becoming Canadian", made by the Vancouver Whitecaps. |
Topic: Beth Koigi - Scientist, Inventor of Majik Water, and Community Development Specialist in Kenya
Beth Koigi is a leading water expert in Kenya, where she is committed to helping all people access affordable and clean water in their homes. Beth comes from a region in Kenya where the drought season is long, and water filtration systems are expensive. While Beth was at university, she led a group of students to develop a water filtering device made from low cost, locally available materials such as a peanut butter jar and charcoal. After some testing, Beth discovered that her filter was surprisingly effective, and was capable of removing amoebas from the local water supply. Following that invention, she created the Majik Water system that harvests fresh water from air! Majik Water is a revolutionary invention, powered by solar energy, that is designed to give people access to affordable and accessible fresh water in their homes by accessing humidity from the atmosphere. Learn more by watching her Ted Talk - and and researching her company Majik Water. |
|
|
Topic: Sabrina Chapman - Canadian Sports Climber and a member of Melanin Base Camp
Sabrina Chapman is a Canadian sports climber, adventurer and nature enthusiast. She is of African and Indian heritage, and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She started climbing at age 26, and is now an elite world climber. She is also part of Melanin Base Camp, an organization that works to raise the profile and representation of racialized people in the Outdoor Adventure world. She stars in the Documentary The Titan Project, as a way of "telling my story as a daughter of immigrants and a racialized person. My path to climbing and pushing difficult grades is not shown in mainstream media. It’s an acknowledgement that there’s an audience for stories of BIPOC in the outdoors who are driven, determined and creating a world in their own image." Read more at MEC.ca and find out more about Melanin Base Camp, and diversity in the Outdoors here. |
Topic: Elladj Balde - Figure Skater and Performer Elladj Balde is a 30 year old, Russian-born figure skater who was raised in Montreal, Quebec. After winning the Canadian Junior Nationals in 2008, Balde achieved many skating goals, but struggled with concussions and retired from skating in 2018. Since then, he's been a choreographer and judge on the live-competition skating series Battle of the Blades, and co-founded the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance (FSDIA), a non-profit that aims to combat racial inequality in the sport. He started expressing his own authentic style and culture in his figure skating routines, and his performances have gone viral, with over 16 million views on Instagram and Tik Tok. Listen to this CBC interview with Elladj Balde, and prepare to be impressed by his backflips and artistry. |
|
|
Topic: History and Importance of West African Music
Music is such a powerful influence on our society - it is a form of communication, of expression, and a vital component of culture. In North America, a great deal of our musical history has been shaped by the rich tradition of African music. Historically, peoples of African descent were some of the first non-Indigenous groups to settle here in North America. They brought with them a varied musical heritage that served as one of the foundational pieces of North American musical traditions. Instruments like the banjo, which is associated with folk and bluegrass, actually came to the Americas with the slave trade from West Africa. This TED talk focuses on the influence of the Griots ~ the storytellers, community leaders, historians, and musicians of West Africa. Because there was no written language in many West African communities, historical events, teachings, and stories would be passed down through these oral traditions. Through this important social role, they maintained community traditions and celebrated culture, and continue to have a great influence on music today. Read more about African musical styles here. Want to hear something new? Listen to some of the rich and varied styles like Afrobeat, Highlife, and Juju here on Spotify. |
Topic: Marie Joseph-Angelique - Untold story of rebellion and resistance
"It's April 10, 1734, and Montreal is on fire... A woman who lived here, Marie Joseph-Angelique was tortured and hanged for the crime of arson. But today, that convicted arsonist is a celebrated historical figure, and the story of how that happened is a disturbing tale. Marie Joseph-Angelique was part of Canada's dark chapter of slavery, that often goes unspoken. More than 4000 people were enslaved in New France and the British colonies, and were mainly Black or Indigenous." Learn more about Angelique's resistance to her enslavement, and determination to fight for her freedom in this video by Canadiana and this historical page. |
|
|
Topic: Mama Cax - Model, blogger, fashion icon, and disability activist
Cacsmy Brutus, or Mama Cax, was a fierce Haitian-American model, fashion blogger, and amputee who challenged the fashion industry's standard of beauty. She lost her leg to cancer at age 16, but decided to respond by using her experience to pushing for inclusion for women with disabilities, and to promote self-confidence and self-love in the disabled community. She walked runways at New York Fashion Week with a prosthetic leg, landed the cover of Teen Vogue, and worked with high-end fashion brands like Rihanna's Fenty. In November 2019, at age 30, Mama Cax's cancer returned, and the world mourned the loss of a bright light. Listen to Mama Cax words on inclusion, womanhood, and strength in this InStyle interview, or read more about her here in the New York Times. |
Topic: The Black Panther Party - Healthcare Innovators
The Black Panther Party was a political and social organization that was started by college students Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seales, in San Francisco in October, 1966. The group emerged as an organization of resistance to the violence and racism that targeted Black people in the United States. Their leaders were deeply impacted by pivotal events like the assassination of Malcolm X and the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965, and felt they needed to respond vocally to the oppression and police brutality, while also committing to supporting the welfare of Black communities. The Black Panthers created soup kitchens, community service events, and started important health care initiatives like ambulance services, in underserved Black communities. While the Black Panther Party is often portrayed as a group characterized by violence and aggression rather than a social organization that helped the community, their activism is incredibly important. It could be argued that much of this misidentification was a result of the FBI's COINTELL project, designed to tarnish their image. Learn more about the Black Panther Party influence on healthcare, and their history in this video by AJ+. |
|
|
Topic: Moving Windmills - the William Kwakwamba story
William Kwakwamba is an inventor and author from a small village in Malawi. In 2001, William was 14 years old and Malawi was in the midst of a terrible drought. A lack of money and income meant that William was forced to drop out of school. He tried to continue his studies at night, but struggled without any form of electricity or light. While it struggles with infrastructure, Malawi is rich in wind energy, and so he had the idea of creating a design for an electricity-producing windmill using local materials, a picture in a library book, and his own ingenuity. With this design, he created power for his own home and eventually his community. His story was published in a local newspaper, and then took the world by storm. He is now a published author, and runs an organization called Moving Windmills that works on community health projects in regions of Africa. Two movies made about his inspiring story. Learn more by watching this film on Netflix, and his TED talk. |
Topic: Black Wall Street & the Tulsa Massacre
Nearly a century ago, thousands of Black Tulsa, Oklahoma residents built a self-sustaining community that supported hundreds of Black-owned businesses. It became a haven for Black entrepreneurs, and became known as 'Black Wall Street'. Due to a devastating riot though, this example of Black wealth and self-sufficiency was short-lived. The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a tragic event which has been described as "the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.'" Mobs of white residents, many of them deputized and given weapons by city officials, attacked black residents and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing up to 300 people over two days. The event devastated the neighbourhood, which had become one of the most prominent and wealthy black communities in the U.S.A. Why don't we know more about Black Wall Street? Why did the rioters go generally unpunished? Read more here, and watch Vox's account of the mystery surrounding the massacre. |
|
|
Topic: Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Cellist & Member of Family Extraodinaire
Sheku Kanneh-Mason comes from a family of extraordinary musical talent. He is one of 7 talented siblings from Nottingham, England - all classically-trained musicians. Born in 1999, Sheku became world- renowned when at the age of 21, he played cello at the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle. In 2016, he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year Award, becoming the first Black musician to win the award since its inception. Listen to his beautiful version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, and watch his family perform all together here. Today, he releases his own music, and performs with orchestras around the world like the London Symphony Orchetra. Listen to more of his music here. |
Topic: 'Little Miss Flint' - Water Activist
Amariyanna "Mari" Copeny, also known as Little Miss Flint, is a 13 year old activist from Flint, Michigan. The city of Flint has been devastated by a water crisis since 2014, after lead contaminated their city water supply. In May of 2016, at the age of 8 years old, Mari wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, challenging him to visit Flint, and see the impact of water crisis firsthand. Obama listened, and Mari ended up visiting the White House, to raise awareness about water and economic security, in her community. Since then, she maintains an active social media presence, raising awareness about the impacts of Environmental Racism, and Flint's ongoing water crisis. She also fundraises to help local families with access to fresh water, school supplies, and access to sports and recreation. |
|
|
Topic: Curtis Talwst Santiago - Contemporary Artist
Curtis Talwst Santiago is a Trinidadian-Canadian contemporary artist that grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. Their work is broad and diverse, from music, to miniature dioramas in jewellery boxes, to an architecturally-inspired installation commissioned by the Toronto Bienniel. Their current work explores notions of ancestry and identity, drawing links between their black roots and their current existence today. Read their CBC interview about growing up in Edmonton, and their family's encouragement of their artistic expression and creativity. |
Topic: Kimberle Crenshaw - The Woman Who Coined the term Intersectionality
What does it mean to be 'intersectional'? 30 years ago, a law professor named Kimberle Crenshaw coined this term to explain how our social identities overlap and 'intersect'. The term's relevance continues today, and Crenshaw believes it serves as a helpful "lens or prism, for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other". Crenshaw's theory's fundamental truth is that "each person has individual identities that intersect in ways that impact the way they are viewed, understood, and treated. We tend to talk about race inequality as separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality, or immigrant status." Crenshaw is now a law professor at UCLA and Columbia, and has spent the last 3 decades of her research exploring race and critical theory. Watch her TED Talk "The Urgency of Intersectionality" here, and to read more about the theory of Intersectionality, check out this link.
What does it mean to be 'intersectional'? 30 years ago, a law professor named Kimberle Crenshaw coined this term to explain how our social identities overlap and 'intersect'. The term's relevance continues today, and Crenshaw believes it serves as a helpful "lens or prism, for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other". Crenshaw's theory's fundamental truth is that "each person has individual identities that intersect in ways that impact the way they are viewed, understood, and treated. We tend to talk about race inequality as separate from inequality based on gender, class, sexuality, or immigrant status." Crenshaw is now a law professor at UCLA and Columbia, and has spent the last 3 decades of her research exploring race and critical theory. Watch her TED Talk "The Urgency of Intersectionality" here, and to read more about the theory of Intersectionality, check out this link.
Topic: Janaya Future Khan - Storyteller, Activist and Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Canada
"Activism is about being alive: about fighting for life. Activism is being for someone else, what you personally needed in your most vulnerable moment. There’s something inherently spiritual and supernatural about what happens when we tie our fate to another person: we discover who we are in service to others." These are the words of Janaya Future Khan, a non-binary, gender non-conforming activist who grew up in Toronto, Canada. Future has become a leading voice in the global crusade demanding social transformation, justice, and equality. Their voice is passionate, and their Sunday Sermons on Instagram Live have become essential and inspiring views for this time. Read more about Future and the hope they gain from Afrofuturism. Watch their interview to find out what it means to "Come Out of Your Fear and Into Your Power". |
|
|
Topic: Serge Ibaka, NBA Champion and Fashion Icon
Serge Ibaka was born in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, to two parents that loved basketball. Basketball became an outlet and passion for Serge, as the Congo descended into civil war during his youth. Eventually, he moved to Spain to pursue a professional basketball career, and was eventually drafted into the NBA. In 2018, he won the NBA World Championship with the Toronto Raptors. Outside of basketball, Ibaka runs the Serge Ibaka Foundation, where he does humanitarian work focusing on health and education in the Congo. He serves as an ambassador for UNICEF, and his story is highlighted through the recent documentary Anything is Possible. He also loves fashion and music, and has a hilarious cooking show called "How Hungry are you?" where he interviews NBA players and tries interesting food. |
Topic: Anderson .Paak - Musician
Brandon Paak Anderson is a Korean-American singer, rapper, and producer from California, known under his stage name as Anderson .Paak. His Korean mother bought him a drum kit at age 11, and he's being making music ever since. He has released several albums, the most mainstream success being Malibu, which was released in 2016. Anderson Paak also operates a non-profit foundation that uplifts folks in the community through access to community programs, after-school programs and other initiatives. Having overcome homelessness and poverty in his youth, he is grounded in the realities and obstacles many people are forced to overcome. Anderson .Paak's video for his single Lock Down', released this summer, depicts a day in the life of protestors during the Black Lives Matter marches. His song is a call to action, but the dramatization in the video also ends with him as a worried father, returning home to tuck his child into bed, with tears in his eyes. He explores the message that there are many victims of oppression and racism, many of whom extend well beyond those that experience direct physical violence and brutality. |
|
Topic: Black Lives Matter - 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Nominees
What is the herstory of Black Lives Matter? #Black Lives Matter was created in 2013, by three radical Black organizers - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. It was designed as a Black-centered political will and movement building project, that emerged as a response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's murderer, George Zimmerman. It is now a global movement, with chapters in over 40 cities, including Vancouver and Toronto. Their goals are to affirm the humanity and contributions of Black folks, and to shine a light on the resilience required to face police brutality, racism, and systemic oppression on a daily basis. As a network, they also work hard to center the voices of women, queer and trans people, whose voices are often minimized in networks and organizations. Most recently, Black Lives Matter was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, an incredible acknowledgement of the power of their movement and resistance, particularly in the wake of murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others. Learn more about Black Lives Matter at their homepage, and watch the videos below to learn more about the protests that have sparked a movement. Artist for Rolling Stone - Jamil Nelson
What is the herstory of Black Lives Matter? #Black Lives Matter was created in 2013, by three radical Black organizers - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. It was designed as a Black-centered political will and movement building project, that emerged as a response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's murderer, George Zimmerman. It is now a global movement, with chapters in over 40 cities, including Vancouver and Toronto. Their goals are to affirm the humanity and contributions of Black folks, and to shine a light on the resilience required to face police brutality, racism, and systemic oppression on a daily basis. As a network, they also work hard to center the voices of women, queer and trans people, whose voices are often minimized in networks and organizations. Most recently, Black Lives Matter was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, an incredible acknowledgement of the power of their movement and resistance, particularly in the wake of murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others. Learn more about Black Lives Matter at their homepage, and watch the videos below to learn more about the protests that have sparked a movement. Artist for Rolling Stone - Jamil Nelson
|
|
We hope these 28 topics have given you a richer understanding of
Black culture, leadership, and excellence.
We also hope that you continue your learning journey about global cultures throughout ALL months of the year, as we work to strengthen our communities through openness, curiosity, compassion, and understanding.