Families around the country are gearing up for a brand new school year. From checking off supply lists to meeting faculty during open house, August is a busy time of year. Educators spend a massive amount of time with children and often leave lasting influences on their growth and development. For Black Americans, it’s important that our children are around adults who will advocate for their safety, progression, and well-being while in a school setting. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the impact of integration on the public education system and how it led to over 40,000 Black teachers getting pushed out of the classroom.

The civil rights movement was a pivotal point in Black history and embodied the struggle that Black Americans have always had to go through just to get ordinary rights and liberties in society. The movement relied on numerous powerful Black leaders to rally the community and organize resistance efforts. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of the most well-known civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr., and the legacy he left in fighting for change.

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.

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.