There’s so many great things about being Black, but one of the most powerful is our resilience. In times of trouble and defeat, Black folks always manage to hold our heads high and come back stronger than ever.
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In times like these, when political upheaval, mumblings of social unrest, and even the loss of important legends like Quincy Jones might get you down, this is your reminder that Black people have survived it all and will continue to do so. Take a look at some of the many examples in history when Black folks shook the table and changed the tide in our favor. Prepare to be inspired!
Million Man March of 1995
With the War on Drugs and mass incarceration at foot, Minister Louis Farrakhan, the former leader of Nation of Islam, had an idea to inspire Black men who were targeted and felt hopeless. In Oct. 1995, he called for hundreds of thousands of Black men dressed in pristine attire to gather in Washington, D.C. for a peaceful march. The event was the first of its’ kind and even helped to dispel negative stereotypes about Black men at the time. In 1997, the Million Women March took place in Philadelphia.
Kanye West - Through the Wire
The Chicago producer turned Hip-Hop mogul has had a pretty crazy journey in the industry. Originally producing music for Jay-Z, Kanye West was an industry underdog as many never thought he’d make a name for himself as a solo artist. In 2002, a car accident nearly took his life. With his jaw wired shut, medical bills piling up, and even a lawsuit from the other victim, West took everything thrown his way and created a Hip-Hop classic with “Through the Wire.” Yes, his mouth was wired shut while he recorded the song which won him multiple awards and propelled his rap career.
The Creation of the NAACP
In 1905, a group of Black leaders, led by sociologist and author W.E.B. Du Bois, began the sparks which would soon turn into the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. The organization was in direct resistance to ongoing racial violence, Jim Crow laws, and systemic oppression African Americans were facing in the country. In less than 20 years, the NAACP had expanded to over 400 locations. In 2024, the organization continues to effect change and acknowledge the deep history and accomplishments of Black people.
Oprah Winfrey’s Rise to Stardom
The “Bill Cosby Show” launched a wave of educated, Black TV shows on air, but there was still something missing. Oprah Winfrey’s daytime talk show was the first of its’ kind. With an educated Black woman at the forefront of all things news and entertainment, Winfrey paved a path for herself. Her tenacity and courage to be at the center of attention makes her one of the most iconic and well-respected personalities in history.
Harlem Renaissance
African Americans are regarded as the creators of many American music genres, although we hardly get the credit. But that started to change with the Great Migration of 1920 and the Harlem Renaissance. A celebration of music, art, and culture, the Harlem Renaissance was the very first time in American history when Black artists flooded into the mainstream media. Artists like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Josephine Baker found their way to Harlem to soak up the Black excellence and help put Black art on the map! Jazz music was never the same after that.
Yusef Salaam to Public Office
The native New Yorker’s world was turned upside down when he was sentenced for the rape of a Central Park jogger. Only 14 years old at the time, Yusef Salaam, along with Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, and Korey Wise, served years in prison for a crime they never committed. The now “Exonerated Five” are all free and using their voices to advocate for prison reform. Salaam has found his way to the political scene. In 2023, he was elected to Harlem’s City Council in a historic win that not only emphasizes his drive but also acknowledges the fight he, and the other exonerated men, still have after decades of wrongdoing.
Stacey Abrams Registers Thousands of Georgia Voters
In 2018, Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp battled it out in a race to become governor of Georgia. Brian won by only 54,723 votes. Republicans called Abrams a cry baby and told her she just didn’t have enough votes despite clear and vast instances of voter suppression in the state, so you know what she did? In preparation for the 2020 election cycle, Abrams launched a campaign to get more Georgians registered to vote. She was responsible for 800,000 new voters in the state. And in a historic event, Georgia flipped blue to elect President Joe Biden.
The Creation of the Black Panther Party
Civil Rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had just been assassinated. Even with the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Black folks still faced racial violence, under funding, and hardships while attempting to vote. The Black community had no leaders and no protection, but then, the Black Panther Party arrived. They fed students lunch, organized to protect Black neighborhoods, and gave Black folks a sense of power and pride.
John Lewis: From Student in the Civil Rights Movement to Government Leader
He started off as just a college student passionate about the movement. John Lewis, who was the grandson as a slave, quickly found his place in the movement as a leader and organizer. He even became the co-founder and chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). And after everything was said and done, he successfully merged into Georgia politics, becoming a member of the House of Representatives from 1987 until his death in 2020.
The Birth of Hip-Hop
What started out as just a fun and fresh way to party in the Bronx quickly became an outlet for young Black people to not only express themselves, but also to connect with others. The birth of Hip-Hop and Rap music would eventually gift us artists like Nas, Tupac, and Hip-Hop’s first billionaire, Jay-Z. All of these emcees took the struggle of their daily lives and created something that transcends generations and cultures.
Michael Jordan’s Historic Comeback
After the violent death of his father, NBA legend Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 1993. It came as a shock to all as Jordan had just celebrated a third championship with the Chicago Bulls. After a brief and almost embarrassing stint in the professional baseball world, Jordan announced his comeback to basketball with two simple words: “I’m Back.” His return reignited the NBA world, and Jordan secured another back to back-to-back championship run from 1996 to 1998.
Black Wall Street and Other Black Communities Post Slavery
After the Civil War, Black people had to build from scratch, and they did it with dignity, grace, and intelligence. Black communities, like that in Tulsa, thrived as they were filled with Black businesses, doctors, and scholars.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Nothing says Black excellence like HBCUs. Of the 107 HBCUs around the country, most of them were founded right after slavery in hopes of giving Black students the opportunity and the safe space to further their education. Generations of HBCUs gave birth to people like Thurgood Marshall, Oprah Winfrey, Lionel Richie, and most notably, the first ever female Vice President, Kamala Harris.
Shirley Chisholm Running for President
In 1968, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm became the first African American woman in Congress. In 1972, she was not only the first Black woman, but the first ever woman to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties. Although she did not win, she opened the door for people like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Harris to try their hand at the Oval Office.
Vanessa Williams’ Comeback to Celebrity
In 1984, Vanessa Williams became the first Black woman to ever hold the Miss America title. But weeks before the end of her reign, scandal broke after Penthouse bought and published her unauthorized nude photographs. Despite the major set back and damage to her reputation, Williams has since rebranded and transformed into one the most recognizable Black actresses of her generation.
Mary Francis Hill Coley Delivers Thousands of Babies in the South
Her story is one that many don’t know of, but she is regarded as a hero of the South. Mary Francis Hill Coley, born and raised in Georgia, worked as a midwife around the state. During a time of segregation and Jim Crow, Coley did not let racism deter her from her purpose as a midwife. In total, it’s estimated she delivered 3,000 babies in her professional career, regardless of color.
Frederick Douglass’ Fight to End Slavery
In the 19th century, Frederick Douglass was the most photographed man in the country. He was born into slavery but quickly taught himself how to read and write. After escaping to the North, Douglass became one of the most important voices of abolition. His autobiography helped to document the horrors of slavery while also painting Black people in a positive light. Douglass even worked closely with Abraham Lincoln to abolish slavery.
Nelson Mandela Becomes South Africa’s First Black President
Before he was the first ever President of South Africa, Mandela was a young politician and anti-Apartheid activist. In 1956, he was arrested and charged with treason during a witch hunt conducted by the country’s racist government. Even though he was acquitted, Mandela soon was sent back to prison for inciting a strike. While serving out a life sentence, he gained support and energy from South Africans. Eventually Apartheid was outlawed, and Mandela was released and elected president in 1994.
Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier
Before Jackie Robinson, the thought of any Black person playing in the major leagues was unheard of. Baseball, America’s pastime, was “whites only,” but when Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942, history was made. He faced discrimination, death threats, and violence because of the historic feat, but Robinson quickly proved to be a show stopper in the league and by the time he retired, he was respected by all.
Harriet Tubman As the ‘Moses of Her Time’
There’s a reason we all learn about Harriet Tubman in schools. Born into slavery, Tubman eventually escaped to freedom. But that wasn’t good enough for her. Despite the danger, Tubman went back to the plantation several times to help others escape from slavery. She’s regarded as the “Moses of her time” because of her resilience and courage to fight.
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