Getting elected to a public political office is no small feat. It often entails many hours of hard work and requires getting the broader population to believe in you and your ideas. Politicians can affect citizens’ daily lives by passing memorandums, adjusting tax rates, and instilling social and economic policies. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most well-known mayors of Washington, D.C., Marion Barry.

There are a lot of conspiracy theories on the internet. They range from mundane topics like the quality of tap water to extremist topics like planning coups to overtake the government. Some are totally insane and have no real leg to stand on, but others have a semblance of truth that makes you question if what you think you know is really true. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the covert operations of COINTELPRO.

From the beginning of time, Black Americans have had integral roles in creating, inventing, and developing many of the modern luxuries we take for granted today. Unfortunately, many of the early Black pioneers weren’t credited for their hard work. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Nathan “Nearest” Green, the master distiller who created the original recipe for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey.

Being on code is one of the most important and powerful things a socioeconomic group can do in society. Not only does it foster camaraderie amongst individuals, but it also sends a message to the powers that be. Throughout history, Black Americans have had to rely on each other to fight through adversity in hopes of receiving equal treatment. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott and its long lasting economic and social impacts.

Going to school without fear of being targeted solely based on your race is a modern luxury that many fought and lost their lives for. Desegregation created volatile and oftentimes deadly mobs that stood in the way of integration of public schools and institutions. The Little Rock Nine were one example of just how dangerous integration actually was for many young Black Americans pursuing an education. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist who fought for change in Mississippi.

Staying healthy is a lifelong journey. There’s no definitive deadline for when you can begin to improve your health, and there are numerous studies, life coaches, personal trainers, nutritionists, and even doctors that can affect your health both positively and negatively. Healing, and the medical industry as a whole, has increasingly become a polarizing topic. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most well-known herbalist healers, Dr. Sebi.

Life and death can happen in an instance and completely change our world. There’s no way to predict when a loved one will transition to Heaven, which is why it’s so important to give people their flowers every time we have the opportunity. We have to keep their memory alive even after death. Join me as we give an Earthly farewell to two greats who recently transitioned to Heaven, James Earl Jones and Frankie Beverly.

Racing is a popular sport around the world and has multiple different divisions for spectators to enjoy. No matter if it’s Formula One, NASCAR, IndyCar, or LMP, the object of the race remains the same - to cross the finish line first. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Black American Racers Association (BARA).

California is known for its beautiful sunny beaches, the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, the tech innovations of Silicon Valley, and the notoriously high cost of living that permeates every aspect of daily life for residents. Despite boasting a proud history of joining the Union as a Free State, there are multiple instances of California actually protecting the institution of slavery. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Bridget “Biddy” Mason, a slave who not only fought and won her freedom, but who also became one of the first prominent landowners in Los Angeles in the 1850s and 1860s.

Summer 2024 is rapidly coming to an end. Many people enjoyed time with their kids while school was out and some even planned fun family vacations to make new memories. The weather was actually pretty crazy with high heat waves and dangerous thunderstorms popping up all over the place. Before we flip the page to the slight chill of the fall, pumpkin spiced lattes, and ample hours of football to indulge in, let’s shine a Historical Spotlight on the long, hot summer of 1967.

With new, experimental drugs like COVID-19 vaccines and Ozempic making waves amongst consumers, it’s hard to decipher any potential long term side effects from medications or treatments when they haven’t had extensive lab testing. Throughout history, Black Americans have been subjected to being test subjects for potentially dangerous treatments that have negatively impacted their health. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most egregious and racist medical studies, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

Having a baby and becoming a mom is something many women look forward to their entire lives. The thought of nurturing a life that you and your partner made out of love is an amazingly beautiful thing. Having multiple babies is not only rare, but in some instances can be life threatening. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the first set of identical Black quadruplets, the Fultz Sisters.

Over the last four years or so, baseball has rapidly become one of my favorite sports. It’s really entertaining to watch the battle between pitchers and hitters. Black Americans didn’t always have the opportunity to make a name for themselves in the big leagues. It took courage from outstanding people to break barriers and change the norm. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on the legendary Jackie Robinson and the impact he had on baseball.

Entrepreneurship is an amazing tool if you have the lifestyle, work ethic, and perseverance to support it. Black Americans have always faced difficulties in owning businesses simply because of the unjust system that permeates society. There have been individuals here and there that have gotten ahead and built successful organizations over the years, but they were oftentimes sabotaged to their demise. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on businessman A.G. Gaston and the impact he had on the local Birmingham community.

Many people think of February as one of the most important months for Black Americans since it’s Black History Month. While it’s definitely an important time to look back on the inventions, advancements, and struggles of our ancestors, it’s only one part of our overarching history. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on our true independence day, Juneteenth.

Black Americans have participated in and made numerous contributions to sports throughout history. Oftentimes, athletic progress and achievement for Black Americans has come from “breaking the color barrier” in professional leagues to force widespread cultural change. However, there’s a long history of racism, segregation, and discrimination that most Black athletes have had to endure. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on one of the greatest running backs of all time, James Nathaniel Brown.

With Memorial Day right around the corner, many people are planning festivities to honor the brave men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.They took an oath of allegiance to the country and stood to protect the strength of our nation. The American Flag and Star-Spangled Banner are perceived differently across all segments of the population depending on historical implications, social status, and other factors. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on the origins of the U.S. Flag and the original lyrics of the national anthem.

I’ve always loved pancakes. My mom would always make me one big fluffy pancake and she would very rarely burn them. Even now that I’m older, I either make pancakes or waffles for breakfast every single weekend as a tradition in my household. Aunt Jemima pancake mix has always been a trusted go-to for perfectly fluffy and golden pancakes. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on the racial implications of the famous brand.

Women’s college basketball has exploded in popularity over the last few years. The sport has seen phenomenal teams and athletes really put everything on the line to beat opponents and make their sport more relevant. With the guidance of their coach, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks won this year’s NCAA championship game against Iowa and put a cherry on top of a perfect undefeated season. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on the great legend Dawn Staley.

As a proud alumna of the University of Georgia, I spent many years in Athens growing and developing into a young adult. I attended sporting events, played a vital role in my housing community as a Resident Assistant, and even met my husband while taking a journalism class. The very dorm I lived in for three years, unbeknownst to me, was actually a catalyst for decimating an entire thriving Black neighborhood not even 100 years ago. Join me as we shine a historical spotlight on Linnentown.