Motivation

Black History Facts

"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations." -Dr. Mae Jemison #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/VYwgR9cr8g

— Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) February 7, 2015

PoP holdin it down!

EXCLUSIVE: Justin Bieber's Boxing Lessons With Floyd Mayweather

Black History Facts

The Old Towne Inn is a historic restaurant in Prince George’s County, MD. In the centuries of slavery, The Old Town Inn was only a few blocks away from a known slave auction block that still sits behind an old house down the street. Prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the restaurant was a segregated establishment and blacks were only allowed through the back door. Even well into the 1970’s, there were stories of discrimination and racist conversation among its ‘elite’ white customers. Now, The Old Towne Inn is a center of the Prince George’s community. Prince George’s county became one of the most affluent black communities in America.  The Old Towne Inn is now owned by Donnell Long, a black man. The restaurant sits next door to the county courthouse and is host to judges, lawyers and representatives. Long has given the historic place a facelift, complete with Tiffany chandeliers and wine-colored leather seating.

Black History Facts

The Jackson Rooming House, the “Boarding House of the Stars” in Tampa, Florida, served as the only lodging for black entertainers and civil rights leaders during segregation. Located at 851 Zack Street, the Jackson Rooming House was the place to stay for Count Basie, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles. The home was built by Moses and Sarah Jackson in 1901, and in 2007 the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Black History Facts

In 1934, Henry M. Morgan established Tyler Barber College, the first national chain of barber colleges for African Americans, in Tyler Texas. The colleges spread until nearly 80 percent of all black barbers in America were trained at Morgan’s schools.

Black History Facts

African American tech executive John Thompson has been appointed the new chairman of Microsoft Corporation, replacing chairman and co-founder Bill Gates. Thompson is the former CEO of Symantec Corporation and hopes to bring Microsoft into better competition with Apple and Google. He was the first and only African American leader of a major technology company and will continue the legacy with Microsoft. 

Black History Facts

During the 1930s, painter Charles Alston founded the 306 group, which convened in his studio space and provided support and apprenticeship for African-American artists, including Langston Hughes; sculptor Augusta Savage; and mixed-media visionary Romare Bearden.

Black History Facts

For the first time in history, an African American and openly gay judge has been nominated to the U.S. District Court of Illinois. Judge Staci Michelle Yandle was nominated last week by President Obama, who has nominated more African American  and more gay judges than any other president in American history. Yandle is a 20-year private practice judge who could represent the southern district of Illinois. This will also be the district’s first black judge.

28 Reasons