Black History Month – Richard Bruce Nugent

Richard Bruce Nugent (1906-1987)— writer, painter, illustrator, and popular bohemian personality—lived at the center of the Harlem Renaissance. Protégé of Alain Locke, roommate of Wallace Thurman, and friend of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, the precocious Nugent stood for thirty years as the only African American writer willing clearly to indicate his homosexuality in print.

His contribution to the landmark publication FIRE!!, the prose composition “Smoke, Lilies and Jade,” was unprecedented in its celebration of same-sex desire. A resident of the notorious “Niggeratti Manor” in 1927-28, Nugent appeared on Broadway in Porgy (the 1927 play) and Run, Little Chillun (1933).

His life was chronicled in the movie “Brother to Brother” starring Anthony Mackie. I have it as one of my movies of the month, click here for more info!

Black History Month – The Azande Warriors

The Azande Warriors.

According to extensive research and fieldwork by the British Anthropologist E. E. Evans-Pritchard, the Azande date back to the early 1600’s in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unmarried Azande warriors routinely took on boy-wives, who would be between the ages of twelve and twenty. They would purchase these boys in exchange for spears, and their bond would be publicly acknowledged. The boys did not cook, but would fetch cooked food, and would perform other services for their husbands. In return, the husbands gave the boy-wives pretty ornaments, and he and the boy addressed one another as “my love” and my “lover”. Interestingly enough, the Azande expressed disgust at the mention of anal penetration, so sex was had in between the boy’s thighs.

The images are a recreation of The Azande Warriors based on old photos and drawings.

Black History Month – Rosa Parks

Today I honor Rosa Parks who was born on Feb. 4th, 1913. Known as the Mother of the Freedom Movement, her deviant stance to not move to the back of the bus for a white man set the Civil Rights movement in high gear! She truly became an Icon in the civil rights movement!

You can read more about her here!

Black History Month – Autherine J. Lucy

On this day back in February of 1956, Autherine J. Lucy was the first African-American student to attend class at the University of Alabama!

A true trailblazer in the fight for equal opportunity for People of Color in Education.

You can read more about her by clicking here!

Black History Month – Don Cornelius (In Memoriam)

What a sad way to start Black History Month. The legendary Don Cornelius committed suicide on Wed, Feb. 1st. We all know him as the founder of the iconic show “Soul Train”. Those old enough to have watched the show back in the 70’s and 80’s know it was “the show” to watch on Saturdays not only for the music talent but the infamous “Soul Train” line and the crazy fashion.

His catch phrase is still just as hip today as it was back when the show aired – “… and you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”

Thank you Don for all the great years of fashion, music and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUL!

Check out Don dancing with Mary Wilson (The Supremes) down the Soul Train Line. CLASSIC!!!

Black History Month – Langston Hughes

This month, in honor of Black History Month, I will highlight individuals who have shared to the world their God given talent. Today, I highlight writer, poet and activist – Langston Hughes who was born on Feb. 1, 1902! Well known for his writings during the Harlem Renaissance, his signature work is the poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”

“I’ve known rivers:

I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.

I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.

I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.

I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I’ve known rivers:

Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”

You can read more about him here!

Black History Month Spotlight – Charles Drew

Today I spotlight Dr. Charles Drew. He was a world renowned scientist who was best known for his work with blood transfusions!

You can read more about him here!

Black History Month Spotlight – Coretta Scott King

Today I spotlight Coretta Scott King. She is the widow of the great Dr. Martin Luther King. She in her own right became a civil rights icon not only for African Americans but also for Women, Gays and more. Most of us truly lived the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King thru her live and her activism.

You can read more about her here!

Black History Month Spotlight – Ida B. Wells-Barnett

Today I spotlight Ida B. Wells-Barnett. She is best known for being one of the founders of the N.A.A.C.P.

You can read more about her here!

Black History Month Spotlight – Marian Anderson

Today I spotlight Marian Anderson. She was a world renowned singer who was the first African Amercian to sing at the White House and the Metropolitan Opera.

You can read more about her here!