What Does Black History 365 Look Like?
When thinking of Black History, we never have to go too far. Looking at our own family history can give us good insight into the trials, triumphs and resilient nature within African American culture and history. Today we spotlight Ms. Melva Walker, grandmother of our very own CEO Skip Walker. In 1964 Ms. Melva could be found canvasing her Lawrenceville , VA community where she worked tirelessly to help Blacks register to vote. Slight of frame but mighty in spirit Ms. Melva received frequent intimidation attempts from the Klu Klux Klan who would leave threatening notes on her car. Despite the efforts of the KKK, in 1964, Lawrenceville residents Rocked the Vote, making their voices LOUD and their wishes clear by voting for President Lyndon B. Johnson in a landslide victory. On September 9, of that same year, the Brunswick 15 were the first African Americans to attend Brunswick Highschool in Lawrenceville, VA. #blackhistory365
Read more about the Brunswick 15 here https://bit.ly/42TZKcQ
Ms. Melva T. Walker and her trusty automobile posing before going to register Blacks to vote in Lawrenceville, VA 1964
In Community:
As we continue to navigate years of violence and oppression against the masses let us not forget where we come from. It is only by knowing our past, that we can boldly step into the future together.
At Inner City Family Services, we strive each day to be a beacon of light and hope. We work tirelessly within our community and our great city to combat stigma, isolation, marginalization and oppression of our most vulnerable residents. The concept of Each One Teach One is not lost on us, as we strive to be better, do better, and serve better. In this effort we invite each of you to join us as we build bridges and break barriers East of the River.
As you ponder your own Black History consider the ways that you are making history; Perhaps you are the first in your family to graduate from Highschool, College, Police Academy. Maybe you are the first in your family to start your own business. We all have history/herstory making abilities, so we encourage you to Let you light SHINE!!
Blogs to Read:
https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/
Poem to Ponder:
overcome by the stink of mildewed wash, i have
been three months behind in my rent for thirty years. my
countrymen do not love me. even my lines have
lines. we are getting old in a city where the old are
invisible. i have nothing new to eat and barely five minutes
to use the jane. and less time than that to revisit my
father’s grave. i’ve worn the same underwear for fifteen
of those thirty years and some pieces longer than that
writing friends is a luxury, enemies a necessity. my car
was stripped and stolen months ago and i have no
money with which to repair or replace it. my mentors have
exiled me to the outskirts of nappy literacy. my wallet is
dying of militant brain cancer. my lust for my country
is frigid. the light excludes me and there is
no degree for what is learned in the dark
i am too clumsy to steal big. there is a boogie man in
New York City who conspires against and spreads
rumors about my lost lip. i am so economically crippled
even my begging cup has mold sprouting in its well. my
son has mistaken me for a dragon and his history teachers keep
trying to hose out these flames in my mouth. i do not
attend my high school class reunions because too many of
my classmates died in Vietnam or in the liquor lockers
of America or in those classrooms long ago. there is
a boogiewoman in Oberlin who conspires against me, her
jealousy inspired by my imaginary imaginings
i am trapped in the hold of my greedy grief
and expected to keep circling. i expect my son to escape
and my husband to die during exquisite crisis. the federal
bureau of pajamas is after my hot cross buns. i expect to
awaken from sleep soon. i expect my banana nut bread to
go stale and uneaten. i expect to die poemless and to be
cremated in state ovens. i expect my ashes
to be scattered like pollen, to take wing on the wind
like buddhaflies
-Wanda Coleman
About the artist: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/wanda-coleman
Things to do DC:
Annual Black History Luncheon 2/22/25 1 2-4pm; https://asalh.org/calendar/99th-annual-black-history-month-luncheon/
Black History Month Celebration Calendar: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:407964bf-383c-4289-a9e0-6e04c4d98c78
Mouthwatering Recipes to make:
https://youtu.be/wF1WCnV5Cyc?si=aYGQi4lAme5Z0110 (Vegan Chickpeas: The recipe and the beard)
https://youtu.be/2P_3nfk2ap4?si=v6_eASzz_qcSrYf0 (Smothered Turkey Wings)
Around the Diaspora;
African History Today: https://lughayangu.com/today-in-history
