On June 19th, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. Juneteenth, as it was and is still called, has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s. In 2021, President Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth, which falls on June 19th, a federal holiday. Even before passing this bill, there was an observable increase in Juneteenth celebrations across the United States. 

How Did Juneteenth Begin?

The federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in June of 1865, a full two months after the Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Virginia. The arrival of General Gordon Granger and his 2,000 troops was to inform the nearly 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas of their freedom and the end of the Civil War. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln issued nearly two and half years earlier on January 1, 1863. The holiday, Juneteenth, is also called Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day. 

The post-emancipation period, or Reconstruction (1865-1867) marked an era of new hope, uncertainty, and struggle for the nation. Formerly enslaved people sought to reunite with families, establish schools, push laws into legislation, run for political office, and even sue slaveholders for compensation. Juneteenth, then, acts as a second day of independence in the United States. 

How Is Juneteenth Celebrated?

Despite the fact that it has been a long celebrated tradition in the African American community, Juneteenth is a monumental event that remains largely unknown to most Americans. The historical legacy of the day represents the value of never giving up hope in times of uncertainty. While many people may get the day off work for this federal holiday, early celebrations involved small family gatherings and prayer. As the years went by, later celebrations involved pilgrimages to Galveston to former enslaved people and their families. 

In 1872, a group of African American businessmen and ministers in Houston, Texas purchased 10 acres of land to create Emancipation Park. The park held the city’s annual Juneteenth celebrations for years. Today, celebrations often take place among families and food is typically a focal point. Some cities, including Washington D.C. and Atlanta, hold larger events that include festivals and parades with local businesses and residents. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Juneteenth celebrations were on hold for 2020 and 2021. That’s why celebrations ramped up in 2022 and future plans for the holiday are only growing. Galveston continues to remain a busy site for Juneteenth events, and artists dedicated a 5,000-square-foot mural in 2021. This year, in 2023, Galveston will celebrate the holiday with a scholarship ball, a banquet, and a festival. Organizers in Atlanta will hold a parade and music festival, while other cities, including Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Tulsa, And Philadelphia, will hold similar events. 

The Path To A Federal Holiday

Texas became the first state to designate Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980. All 50 states and the District of Colombia now recognize the holiday in some way, shape, or form. In the wake of the nationwide protests against police brutality in 2020, the push for federal recognition of Juneteenth gained new momentum. Congress rushed the bill through legislation in the summer of 2021. 

In fact, the House passed the measure by a vote of 415 to 14. The opposing votes came from members of the Republican party. Some of the opposers even argued that calling the new holiday Juneteenth Independence Day, echoing July 4, would create confusion among the American public and force them to choose a celebration of freedom based on race. 

The law went into effect on June 17, 2021, making Juneteenth the 11th federally-recognized holiday. The first federal Juneteenth holiday was observed the very next day after President Biden signed the bill into law. Juneteenth was observed on June 18, as June 19 fell on a Saturday.

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June is Pride Month, and it’s dedicated to celebrating the work of LGBTQIA+ activists who have changed the world. The gatherings that take place over the course of the month allow LGBTQIA+ individuals to celebrate who they are, and who they are proud to be. By going to Pride events, the community gets to celebrate who they are and who they love. The welcoming and accepting nature of these events relieves any person of fear they might otherwise experience in the world. 

What Is Pride Month?

Dedicated to uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices, Pride Month celebrates LGBTQIA+ rights and culture. Throughout the month, there are many celebrations that take place, including parades, protests, live theater, memorials, drag performances, and more. Additionally, there are many celebrations of life that commemorate members of the community who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. Part of the month is about political activism, while the other part focuses on celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and the victories it has achieved over the years. 

Why Is June Pride Month?

Early in the morning on June 28th, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York’s Greenwich village. Officers started hauling patrons outside and tensions escalated quickly. Patrons resisted arrest and a large crowd of bystanders began throwing coins, bottles, and other things at the officers. Fed up by the harassment by authorities, New York’s gay community broke out in neighborhood riots that lasted three days. 

The uprising served as somewhat of a catalyst for an emerging gay rights movement. For example, the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance formed after the historic event. These organizations modeled themselves after the civil rights and women’s rights movements. Members of the organizations held protests, met with political leaders, and interrupted public meetings to hold leaders accountable. One year after the Stonewall riots, the nation’s first Gay Pride marches took place. 

What does LGBTQIA+ Stand For?

LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term that includes people of all genders and sexualities. The acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies. Each letter may stand for a specific group of people, but the term encompasses the entire spectrum of gender fluidity and sexual identities. Queer is an umbrella term for non-straight people, while intersex refers to those whose sex does not have a clear definition because of hormonal, genetic, or biological differences. 

Where Did Pride Come From?

According to historical accounts, many people credit Brenda Howard as being the “Mother of Pride.” She organized the first Pride parade to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. 

Where Did the Rainbow Flag Originate?

The rainbow flag, created by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, is a commonly used symbol of LGBTQIA+ ride. Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., commissioned Baker to make a flag for the city’s upcoming Pride celebrations. Baker, a prominent gay rights activist, used the stripes on the American flag as inspiration, but used the rainbow to include the many groups within the gay community. Many people don’t know that each color of the flag has its own meaning. Red symbolizes life, orange is healing, yellow is sunshine, green is nature, blue is harmony, and purple is spirit. The original eight-color flag included hot pink and turquoise. The former represented sex, while the latter represented magic and art. 

Pride events welcome allies from outside the LGBTQIA+ community. There are many opportunities to show support, observe, listen, and learn more about Pride during the month of June. See what your community has to offer via social media, news outlets, and more. Happy Pride Month!

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Sometimes, you are lucky enough to find something you are truly passionate about in this life. That is a gift, and it is exactly what happened to the CEO of Dherbs, A.D. Dolphin. It took time and trial and error for A.D. to realize his dream, but he succeeded. In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to celebrate A.D. for not only being a CEO of a black-owned business, but also one of the leading online retailers of herbal supplements. 

How Dherbs Began

Over 20 years ago, A.D. was struggling with some health issues, drinking more soda than he cares to admit and not in the great health he is in today. He wasn’t working out as much and started to gain weight. A friend introduced him to cleansing, an idea that had never occurred to him before. After his first cleanse, A.D. lost weight and felt better than he ever had before. From that point forth, he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life: create a cleanse and other herbal supplements that helped people achieve the same vibrant health he was feeling. 

A.D. met with the best herbalists to formulate a cleanse that would clean out the entire body, not just the colon or digestive tract, which most cleanses focus on. Thus, the Full Body Cleanse, Dherbs’ flagship product, was born. Since its inception, the Full Body Cleanse, a 20-day program that helps to clean out the body’s major organs and systems, has helped millions of people around the world optimize their health. 

Dherbs Has You, The Customers, To Thank

Dherbs’ primary objective has been, and continues to be, to assist people in reclaiming their birthright of optimal health. Without your desire to turn your life around and become healthier, we would not be where we are today. As the company has grown, it’s been a truly amazing experience to hear stories of personal growth and health transformation. When we see the before and after pictures, it inspires us, and A.D., more than you even realize.

To see a person’s body transform in a matter of weeks never gets old. We have seen thousands and thousands of before and after pictures, and we are impressed every single time. In fact, it gives A.D. inspiration to be as healthy as he can be! He wants to continue to set an example, not only as the CEO, but as a Black man challenging the health issues that disproportionately affect the Black community.

As of a couple years ago, the life expectancy at birth for Black Americans was 70.8 years, with 66.7 years for men and 74.8 years for women. The death rate for Black Americans is usually higher than white Americans for heart disease, stroke, cancer, influenza, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and asthma. If A.D. and Dherbs can do anything to help correct, or at least make a small but positive dent, in these issues, then we have succeeded. 

Thank you, Dherbs Family, for the continued support over the years. We hope that you continue to grow with us and that you keep sending your health transformations our way. Not to be corny, but keep calm and cleanse on!

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Nearly 100 years ago, the United States celebrated the first Black History Month as a weeklong event. Carter G. Woodson established that week as Negro History Week, and he realized the importance of establishing a theme to attract and focus the public’s attention. The intention was never to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience; rather, the goal has been to bring public awareness to important developments that merit emphasis. 

Since 1976, the U.S. has celebrated February as Black History Month. Not only does Black history embrace the 400-year-long record of Black life in America, but it also emphasizes stories and activism against slavery and present-day racism. Read on to learn about eight facts about Black History Month. 

Black History Month Began As Negro History Week

As previously stated, Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926. The celebration highlighted Black Americans’ lives, history, and contributions to the U.S. It wasn’t until 1976 when Negro History Week expanded to a month-long celebration that people continue to observe today. 

The Theme For Black History Month Changes Yearly

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which was founded by Carter G. Woodson, selects a different theme for Black History Month each year. The very first theme was Civilization: A World Achievement. The theme for 2023 is Black Resistance, which sheds a light on historic and modern oppressions against Black Americans. Resisting acts of discrimination, racism, and injustice plays an integral role in the well-being of Black Americans. 

Different Countries Celebrate Black History Month

Known as the “Mother of Black History Month” in Canada, Dr. Jean Augustine established celebrations in 1995. Just like in the U.S., celebrations occur in February. In the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, Black History Month is observed in October. The United Kingdom’s initial focus was on Black American history, but the focus now is on Black British history.

Black History Month Recognizes All African American Experiences

According to the Census Bureau, Black Americans accounted for 13.6% of the U.S. population as of 2022. That means that there are over 45 million different lived experiences across the nation. Each experience is honored during Black History Month, and celebrations that honor these experiences are about supporting communities, family members, and the stories that unite them. 

Black Students Protested For Black History Month

In 1968, members of the Black United Students (BUS) at Kent State University protested disorderly conduct charges against students that participated in sit-ins. The student activism was successful in that it helped establish three Black studies departments and institutes on campus. The following year, BUS members demanded Kent State extend Negro History Week into a month of Black history celebrations. This was later observed nationwide. 

National Organizations Sponsor Black History Month

Different organizations honor Black History Month every February by hosting commemorative events. Of the many Black History Month sponsors, some of them include The Library of Congress, The National Park Service, The Smithsonian Institution, and The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. These organization-run events involve art gallery productions, different speakers, and community learn sessions. 

HBCUs Promote Black History Year-Round

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were established to provide higher education opportunities to Black Americans. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was the first HBCU established in 1837. HBCUs that were established prior to 1964 honor their mission to educate Black Americans. These universities recognize Black American experiences in addition to teaching Black history.

February Honors Frederick Douglass And Abraham Lincoln

Carter G. Woodson selected February to celebrate Black History Month for good reason. He wanted to honor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birth dates. Lincoln declared freedom for enslavedAmericans held in the Confederacy via the Emancipation Proclamation. Douglass escaped American slavery in 1838 and became a famous abolitionist, speaker, and writer. One of his most famous books was A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. 

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past and learn from earlier lessons to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Explore community events and celebrations this February to learn more about Black History.

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Before the New Year begins, people do their best to get their ducks in a row to achieve resolutions. The easy part is saying that you will do whatever your resolution is. Once the first couple weeks of the New Year pass, motivation begins to dwindle. Exercising every day turns into exercising a couple times per week. Reading every night gets replaced by your favorite TV shows before bed. Eventually, you abandon the resolution altogether, leaving you heavy with the feeling of failure. 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of self-loathing when you don’t achieve your goals. If your plan to save money or lose weight doesn’t work out, your self-esteem can take a big hit. Failure is an inevitable part of life and nobody is perfect, so there’s no reason to beat yourself up for abandoning resolutions. More often than not, the people who embrace failure often generate more motivation to succeed. 

Why Do New Year’s Resolutions Fail?

Do you want the complete, honest truth? Let us first tell you that resolutions are problematic, primarily because they aspirational. This means that people think that setting these goals will change who they are, but the authentic self can never be silenced. So how do you maintain commitment to your resolutions when they are the farthest things from what you know to be true? Resolutions are often so grandiose that they are not easy to commit to, causing self-doubt and eventual failure. That’s why it’s better to set intentions and break resolutions up into smaller, more manageable goals. 

If you recently gave up on your New Year’s resolution and feel down in the dumps, the following tips will help you get back on the horse. It’s never too late to bounce back and focus on strategy and success!

Reframe Your Failure

It’s easy to look at your failure through a negative lens, but failing at a resolution is not a poor reflection of your character. It’s best to analyze failure so that you can learn from it, improve, and ultimately try again. Through failure, you can see where you thrive and where your weaknesses are. Plus, you build up resilience when you emerge from the ashes of your failure to try again. 

Acknowledge Your Strengths And Weaknesses

When you fail at anything, the hardest thing to do is to see where you succeeded. You failed at achieving your goal, so you naturally point out weaknesses, but it’s constructive to analyze your strengths as well. In fact, when you examine both your weaknesses and your strengths, you can correct yourself for the future and invite change into your life. 

Keep Time On Your Side

The wheels can easily come off the resolution wagon, and one of the most common causes is poor time management. If getting fit is your goal, you have to plan out daily workouts and make them work with your schedule. Rather than stressing out beyond control, you abandon your workouts to focus on making breakfast for the kids, working on freelance projects, or whatever else demands your attention. Time management, in and of itself, is a great resolution to have, but you don’t have to wait for the New Year to practice time management. When you figure out how to make space for your resolution, you’ll have greater success. 

Applaud Your Efforts

You may not think that you deserve a pat on the back, but you did put some effort into your resolution. That’s worth something! Don’t deny yourself a little self-appreciation. Your efforts have merit and are worth celebrating. If you want to succeed with future resolutions, you have to be able to encourage yourself, even if you don’t hit your goals all the time. 

Set Yourself Up For Success

When you don’t see a resolution through, it’s easy to see that your goals may have been out of reach from the start. That shouldn’t stop you from trying again, though. When you come back for round two, be sure to evaluate your past processes to implement change for your future goals. Plan your route, so to speak, and expect a couple twists and turns along the way. The reality is that the road to accomplishing your goals is not smooth and flat. Realistic expectations will allow you to invest more time and effort into your journey. Be aware of the setbacks, acknowledge them when they arise, and keep moving forward. 

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Each year on the third Monday of January, we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day) in the United States. Although it is a federal holiday, it is also a chance to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to establish racial equality. This year, aim to make this holiday more than a day off from work. Take the time to select and consider how you can get involved in civil rights issues around the world. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was born on January 15th, 1929. Best known for his work as a civil rights leader, King dedicated his life to working on racial equality and ending racial segregation in the United States. On MLK Day, we remember his life and achievements, but it took quite some time for Congress to make King’s birthday a federal holiday. 

A Brief History Of MLK Day

The bill first came to vote in the U.S. House of Representative in 1979, but it fell five votes short of the number required for passage. One argument against this day was that it would be too expensive, as a national holiday requires payment for federal employees. The other argument was that it would go against the longstanding tradition to have a holiday that honored a private citizen. King never held public office and, at the time, only two other figures had national holidays: George Washington and Christopher Columbus. 

The King Center sought out support from the general public and corporate community. It was Stevie Wonder’s release of the single “Happy Birthday” that truly popularized the campaign in 1980. Six million signatures were collected to petition for Congress to pass the law, which was the largest petition in favor of an issue in U.S. history. President Reagan, who initially opposed the holiday, signed a bill to create a federal holiday honoring Dr. King on November 2nd, 1983. On January 20th, 1986, the holiday was observed for the first time, and in the year 2000, all 50 states observed MLK Day for the first time. 

MLK Spent His Wedding Night In A Funeral Home

When MLK married Coretta Scott in June of 1953, they couldn’t stay in a hotel that would allow them, as African-Americans, to spend the night. What did they do? The newlyweds spent their first night as a married couple in an African-American-owned funeral home. Five years later, they were able to take a second, more pleasurable honeymoon in Mexico. 

His Birth Name Was Michael

At birth, MLK was given the name Michael King Jr, meaning that his father was Michael King. Later, his father changed his own name to Martin Luther, after the Protestant Reformation leader. He changed the name of his son when he changed his own name. 

The Most Famous Portion Of The “I Have A Dream Speech” May Have Been Improvised

Most people are aware of the first few sentences of this historic speech. It begins with, “I have a dream…,” and his “March on Washington” speech was very long. It was long enough to have been pre-written ahead of time. Historians, however, believe that King ad-libbed his most famous words on the day he gave the speech, August 28th, 1963. The ideas were similar to some that he expressed previously, but he delivered them in a uniquely powerful, memorable way. 

MLK Delivered That Speech To Over 250,000 People

As previously mentioned, MLK’s most famous speech was the “I Have A Dream” speech that he delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He said “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” He gave the speech at the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” event. The goal: to promote equal rights for all. Over 250,000 people listened to MLK speak that day, in awe of his words that would inspire future generations. 

There Are Over 900 Streets Worldwide Named For MLK

MLK is one of the most important figures that promoted equal rights via nonviolent tactics. He is a common namesake for streets and boulevards around the world. There are over 900 streets that bear MLK’s name. About 70% of those streets are in the Southern United States, with over 100 streets in King’s home state of Georgia.

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Every third Monday in January honors the birthday of the civil rights activist, leader, and orator, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The journey to true equality among all races is still incomplete, but MLK’s historic contributions to racial justice for Black Americans are undeniable. Although schools or businesses may close for this holiday, it is by no means a day off. It’s a day to recognize nationwide service that honor’s Dr. King’s values and his role in American history.

According to Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s wife, “This is not a Black holiday; it’s a people’s holiday.” It’s a day to unite for equality, kindness, peace, and love. By honoring these values, we can rise above and become better as people. Depending on the state of COVID-19 in your city or state, in-person events may not be possible, but you can still celebrate MLK Day in a meaningful way. 

Educate Yourself

It’s rare that you learn about history from all sides, especially when it comes to the topic of race in America. One area of the country might learn one thing, while another area grows up with a completely different view. It’s ultimately your responsibility to have a good understanding why there is a day dedicated to MLK. To honor his life, read some of King’s books or read books about him, and attempt to read the ones written by Black authors. Take note of his letters and explore his radical ideology. You may find that you learn things that were never taught in history classes. 

Do Something Good

There are many ways to do good in today’s day and age. You can donate to a cause that advocates nonviolent social change or volunteer at an organization. The Smithsonian Institution and Library of Congress, for example, looks for volunteers to digitally transcribe documents. Projects range from African-American history and women’s suffrage to the personal letters of historical figures like MLK. If you feel uneasy about volunteering in-person because of COVID-19 numbers, research virtual opportunities. The Corporation for National and Community Service allows you to find local volunteer opportunities on MLK Day.

Talk To Your Elders

For Black Americans, especially people with relatives who grew up in the South, talking to older family members can be an eye-opening experience. Many people have grandparents who are living history, protested with Dr. King, or watched the broadcast of his historical March on Washington. Make an effort to reach out to these family members, be it on the phone or in-person. Open up an honest dialogue about the past and you may learn something new about your family history. 

Create Something That Inspires Conversation

Although MLK delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech nearly 60 years ago, his words are just as relevant today. Reflecting on his message of peace and equality may help us imagine a brighter future of positivity. One exercise you can do is write your dreams into existence. Do this in any way that you see fit. Incorporate drawing, painting, or collage into this exercise. As long as you have paper and something to draw/write with, you can make it happen. Encourage children to take part in this project as well, as critical thinking can bring about more social change. 

Join The “March”

In 1963, MLK led a monumental protest of 250,000 people on Washington. All of them believed in one thing: the civil and economic rights for Black Americans. It was before this sea of supportive people that he delivered the “I Have A Dream” speech, cementing his support of the civil rights movement. Although everyone in the United States doesn’t have the luxury of hitting the sidewalk in D.C., you can “march” in your own way. Whether you participate in a parade in your community, attend a virtual parade, or go on a peace walk through your neighborhood, you have the power to march in Dr. King’s honor. 

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It was a thrilling third day of action at the Tokyo Games during the women’s 55-kilogram (kg) weightlifting competition. Hidilyn Diaz, a four-time Olympian, stopped China’s bid for a perfect record in weightlifting at the Tokyo Games. She overtook fellow olympian, Liao Qiuyun of China, on her last lift in the clean and jerk. Her combined weight (244 kg) amounted to one more kilo than her competitor. 

Athletes from the Philippines have competed at every edition of the Summer Olympics since 1924, save for the exception of boycotting the 1980 Moscow Games. Over the course of the country’s near century long participation in the Summer Games, it has only amassed three silver and seven bronze medals. 30-year old Diaz actually won one of those silver medals in the 2016 Olympic Games, making the country’s first podium appearance in 20 years. This year, she became the country’s first ever Olympic gold medalist. 

China won all three events in weightlifting at the Tokyo Games leading up to the women’s 55 kg event. Qiuyun failed to match her own world record of 223 kg, but Diaz was able to lift a combined weight of 224 kg, setting a new world record to boot. After confidently pressing up 127 kg in the clean and jerk, she dropped the barbell and burst into tears, realizing the glory of her country’s first Olympic gold medal achievement.

Response To Her Victory

In response to her own victory, Diaz said, “I am 30 years old and I thought it would be like going down, my performance, but I was shocked I was able to do it.” The Philippines’ presidential spokesperson gave a statement about Diaz bringing pride and glory to the Philippines. He also added, “Congratulations, Hidilyn. The entire Filipino nation is proud of you.”

During the medal ceremony, the Filipino national anthem played for the first time in the history of the country’s participation at the Olympic Games. With her country’s anthem playing, she proudly clutched her medal on top of the podium, tears streaming down her face and a smile from ear to ear. 

Diaz’s Road To The Tokyo Games

In January 2020, Diaz won the gold medal in the women’s 55 kg event at the Roma 2020 World Cup in Rome, Italy. While traveling to Peru to compete in an Olympic qualifying event, however, she was detained in Malaysia due to COVID-19 outbreak. The government then issued a travel ban and she got stuck in Malaysia for about five months. During that time, Diaz built a gym and trained with water bottles, using water in place of weights. Clearly, her determination did not waiver, as she stood victorious on the podium after this year’s dominant performance. 

According to Diaz, she plans to compete during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. Let’s see what she’s able lift in a few years!

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The Tokyo Olympic Games are underway and it’s set to be an exciting couple of weeks. The stakes are high and safety is of the utmost importance. In fact, several athletes have already bowed out of their events due to COVID-19 infection. The Olympic committee is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of all athletes, like Quanesha Burks. 

Before Burks became a professional long jumper, her only previous job experience was at the McDonald’s in Hartselle, Alabama. She began her work experience there at the age of 17, often working weekdays and weekends on top of practice, track meets, and school. Burks and her siblings were raised by her grandparents, and she remembers living paycheck to paycheck. 

She often started her days at 4:30 a.m., taking her grandmother to work at the nursing home. When she returned home, she woke her sisters, got them ready for school, and then dropped them off at school before taking herself to class. After school, Burks practiced and then headed to work., where she made $200 every two weeks. She contributed her paycheck to help out her family, and knew that all of this hard work was part of her path towards a college education.

How Did She Start As A Long Jumper?

Her high school coach convinced her to try long jumping one day and Burks never looked back. In fact, during her high school career, Burks set seven school records and was an 11-time high school state champion. According to Alabama Crimson Tide coach Dan Waters, Burks’ numbers weren’t quite at the caliber of most SEC full-scholarship athletes. After talking with her during the recruitment process, Waters realized how special Burks was. Regardless of her background, it was her determination that gained her a scholarship to Alabama. She would go on to become one of the most decorated athletes in Crimson Tide history.

Her Professional Career

Her professional career has not been a smooth path to glory. During the 2019 World Athletic Indoor Championships, she missed a podium placement by 0.04 meters (1.5 inches). Her grandfather passed away a week before the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He was buried and she went to compete two days later, but did not record a successful jump. In February 2020, however, she won the U.S. Indoor title, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and wiped all future competitions and Olympic dreams away. 

She earned points in the World Athletics’ ranking system, but she experienced a bone bruise on her femur, which sidelined her from competition for 11 weeks. Burks was able to get back to training and qualified for the U.S. Olympic team as a long jumper, alongside fellow greats Brittney Reese and Tara Davis. Both of those women have incredible accolades and impressive jump records. Reese won her 13th U.S. title with the U.S. Olympic Trials win this year, catapulting her into her fourth Olympic Games. 

Burks feels that her story is very relatable, and hopes to inspire those who have big aspirations and lived through similar experiences. It’s all about the journey and setting your intentions, maintaining the proper mindset and determination. Burks said, “Never let other people dictate your success or how far you can go in life. If you believe in yourself, you have confidence in yourself, you can go far.” And that’s when Burks started saying, “I’m going to be an Olympian.”

Not only is Burks an Olympian, but she also has her eyes set on medaling in Tokyo. She’s looking for opportunity to capitalize on, and the Olympic Games may be the opportunity that she needs. Watch her compete in the women’s long jump during the Tokyo Olympic Games. 

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It’s rare that people get excited about history. Most people have this preconceived notion that it is mundane, dry, and reduced to a few memorable moments, people, or events. It’s true that courageous moments like MLK’s “I Have A Dream Speech” or The Underground Railroad are historic moments. We know about them from history class in school, but Black History Month means more than these significant events. 

February is Black History Month, which honors the monumental contributions from African Americans in the United States throughout history. Federally recognized and celebrated nationwide, Black History Month celebrates how African Americans played a role in shaping this great nation. Who was the father of Black History Month? 

The Man Behind Black History Month

Carter G. Woodson, a pioneer in African American history, is given a lot of credit for Black History Month. He was the son of former slaves and was disgusted by textbooks that excluded or ignored the Black population in America. To include and write about Black Americans’ relationship to U.S. History, he established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He also developed the foundation’s respected publication, the Journal of Negro History. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926, and that later transitioned to Black History Month in 1976. Find out more little known facts about Black History Month below. 

One In Four Cowboys Was Black

Despite what you see in old Western movies or read about in books, one in four cowboys was Black. Some argue that the “Lone Ranger” was inspired by a Black man named Bass Reeves. This man was born a slave, but he escaped during the Civil War and resided on Native American territory. He was a master of disguise, an excellent marksman, had a Native American companion, and he even rode a silver horse. 

Interracial Marriage

A large part of the 17th and early 18th century saw an increasing amount of interracial marriages between Blacks and Whites. In 1664, the colony of Maryland enacted the first law against interracial marriage, then referred to as miscegenation; other colonies soon followed suit. It would take 300 years for the law to be overturned in 1967. Mildred Jeter, a Black woman, married Richard Loving, a White man, and they were arrested and sentenced to one year in prison. Their case went to the Supreme Court, where it was ruled unconstitutional to prohibit interracial marriage. 

Why February? 

Carter G. Woodson chose the second week of February for the initial Negro History Week. The reason he chose February is because of two prominent February birthdays: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Douglass escaped slavery and became a civil rights leader and abolitionist. President Lincoln, as most of you know, signed the Emancipation Proclamation that abolished slavery in the confederate states. 

Lincoln University

Lincoln University in Pennsylvania was the first institution of higher education founded for African Americans. The creation of this establishment paved the way for 104 other historically Black colleges. Famous alums from some renowned Black colleges include Thurgood Marshall, Oprah Winfrey, and Spike Lee. 

Black History Month Has Different Themes

Since the first celebrated Black History Month in 1976, every February has had a specific theme. The theme for Black History Month in 2021 is “Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) decided on this theme because it’s time that all Americans honor the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history. 

Claudette Colvin Came Before Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks is often thought of as the first person who refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Historically, several brave women did the same thing before her, one being Claudette Colvin. On March 2, 1955, Colvin refused to move to the back of the bus. She was 15 years old at the time, and this predated Rosa Parks’ protest by nine months.

Colvin studied influential Black leaders and when the bus driver asked her to move to the back of the bus, she claimed that the force of those leaders kept her in her seat. She was thrown in jail and later challenged segregation in court in the Browder v. Gayle case, which overturned bus segregation in Montgomery and Alabama. Her story remains in the shadows of Rosa Parks’ story because the NAACP thought Parks was a better icon than a teenager for the movement. 

The Quakers Protested Slavery In 1688

Sometimes known as “The Society of Friends,” the Quakers have a long history of abolition. Four friends from Germantown, Pennsylvania are responsible for the initial 17th century protest, though. These four people thought the slave trade was unjust and inhumane, and argued the Golden Rule against this horrible treatment of the fellow man. In the document they wrote for the protest, they wrote, “Pray, what thing in the world can be done worse towards us, then if men should rob or steal us away, & sell us for slaves to strange Countries, separating husband from their wife and children…” The four friends continued to protest, presenting it at the “Monthly Meeting at Dublin” in Philadelphia. 88 years of effort later, the Quakers finally denounced slavery. 

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