I was born and raised in a small, country corner of Southwest Georgia and it always brings me joy when I find someone new that’s either from there or simply heard of the area. Even though I’ve moved away, it’s still ingrained in my mannerisms and my dialect can easily morph depending on who I’m talking to. Despite it being so far from Metro Atlanta, there have been many greats born on that land who have made history and influenced Black culture. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Alice Coachman, the very first Black American woman to win a Gold medal in the Olympics. 

Within the last year or so, my husband and I have started keeping up with track and field as one of our must-watch sports. His favorite events are the long distance events while I’m partial to the sprinters and relay teams. We watch running videos on YouTube, follow certain athletes on social media, and try to tune in whenever a race is on TV. It doesn’t matter if it’s professionals running for an Olympic gold, an elite marathon runner chasing a PR, or the NCAA Tournament in Oregon, we’re interested and invested in the results. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Flo Jo, the Black American track star who made history as one of the greatest sprinters to ever compete.