Monthly Archives: February 2022

Born of Lakes and Plains begins in earnest in the 1600s and revolves mainly around five mixed-descent families, whose stories stretch from the Great Lakes down through the Midwest to the Southern Plains. The history she recounts is both sweeping and intimate, allowing her to trace larger developments while also showing how families responded differently to changing circumstances.

From the beginning, intermarriage between white and Native peoples was connected to the fur trade. For European settlers, there were obvious advantages to such unions, including access to the protection and knowledge of Ojibwes and Crees who for generations had weathered the harsh winters around the Great Lakes and Hudsons Bay. Native peoples, Hyde says, had their own stakes in this trade; they knew that European strangers presented both opportunity (information, goods, new allegiances) and peril (war, disease, theft). Making such traders into family could lessen the dangers, giving them a stake in the clan.

For the French, these arrangements were not only accepted but even encouraged by an official edict that governed mariage la faon du pays, or the custom of the country. European men became known as hivernants winterers who spent the cold months in Native forts and villages. Sometimes, when an hivernant married a Native woman, he was already married to a white woman. Or an hivernant might abandon his Native family once he became more established in the fur trade, calculating that entry into the Canadian elite required a white wife. Some hivernants continued to provide for their Native families, and some didnt. Abandonment was so common that there was an actual phrase for the process to turn off, as in, When Alexander McKay retired, he turned off Marguerite.

Marguerite, who was born in 1775 to a Cree mother and a Swiss father, would eventually remarry another man involved in the fur trade. Hyde follows the stories of Marguerites family and others through the ensuing decades of American expansion, Andrew Jacksons policy of Indian Removal and the Civil War. Trading fur with Europeans turned out to be profoundly destabilizing to long-established relationships between Native nations; an expanded market brought guns and disease.

The proliferating narratives can make it hard to keep track of all the threads a number of Georges and Johns and Williams within and across families means that a set of family trees would have been a welcome and clarifying addition to Hydes book. But the profusion of stories is part of her point, as she shows how the same events could affect people in disparate ways, with some adapting or even flourishing while others escaped or resisted or got crushed. Many mixed-descent people worked for the U.S. government as translators and military scouts; they were often mistrusted by others, their ability to switch between languages and cultures arousing suspicions, their loyalties held in doubt.

Read more here:

An Immersive History of Mixed-Descent Native Families - The New York Times

In this weeks episode of The Gilded Age, the HBO period drama set in late 19th-century New York, the young aspirant Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) makes an unannounced visit to the Brooklyn home of her new friend, Peggy Scott (Dene Benton), hoping to surprise her with a gift of sorts: a bag of old used shoes.

But Marian, who is white, receives the real surprise. She discovers that the Scott family, which is Black, is wealthy and educated. Peggys parents, Arthur (John Douglas Thompson), a pharmacist, and Dorothy (Audra McDonald), a pianist, live in an opulent brownstone with its own staff, and they are definitely not in need of the shoes.

The existence of an elite Black population in this era of the city Black men and women who had careers, money and influence is a factual reality, though one that is not often explored in popular culture.

As the shows historical consultant, Erica Armstrong Dunbar, said: What does the average person know about the Black elite in New York in the 1880s? The answer is very little if anything. To look at how film and television have generally treated this era of Black history, she added, Theres this huge gap between the Civil War and slavery and then, maybe, the Harlem Renaissance as if nothing happened in between.

For the people who produce and perform The Gilded Age, the Scott family represented an opportunity to dramatize this overlooked chapter to transcend enduring stereotypes and give these characters inner lives and a surrounding world as rich as those of their white counterparts. (Brooklyn, where the Scotts live, was a separate city in the 1880s; it became part of New York City in 1898.)

While these intentions were present from the inception of the series, they took on a particular urgency during a pandemic-imposed shutdown, beginning in March 2020, and amid the nationwide period of racial justice protest and reflection that followed a few months later events that had an impact behind the scenes of the show as well as in front of its cameras.

Julian Fellowes, the creator of The Gilded Age, said in an email that it seemed dishonest to set a show in 1882, less than two decades after the abolition of slavery in the United States, and not have characters who have been affected by this directly.

Fellowes, who previously created the British period drama Downton Abbey, said that including characters like the Scotts in his HBO series also allowed us to make some points about the challenges of being African American, even successful and affluent African American, in New York at that time.

Dunbar, the Charles and Mary Beard Distinguished Professor of History at Rutgers University and the author of books like She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman, started consulting on The Gilded Age in August 2019.

Black New Yorkers of the era go to Brooklyn because theyre running from persecution, she said. Theyre running from the Draft Riots of 1863. Theyre looking for a place to build their homes, to build their businesses, to create a life that was as free as possible from humiliation and violence.

In the first episode of The Gilded Age, Peggy befriends Marian and follows her into the Manhattan home of her aristocratic aunt Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski). Fellowes said the Peggy character was drawn from research he had done on this time period and from books like Carla L. Petersons Black Gotham: A Family History of African Americans in Nineteenth-Century New York City.

Benton, who joined The Gilded Age in the fall of 2019, was among the earliest actors cast in the series, having previously starred in Broadway musicals like Hamilton and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.

If youre looking for a period drama Black woman, I guess thats who I am now, Benton said. Which Im not mad about.

McDonald, a six-time Tony Award-winner who was hired several weeks after Benton, said that when she learned Benton had joined The Gilded Age, she was happy for her industry colleague but also concerned that the series was looking to fill a quota.

When I heard that Dene was cast, I was like OK, thats the one Black person theyre bringing into all of this white space, McDonald said. I think Dene is such a light and such a talent, I hoped they gave her a lot of stuff to do. But I didnt in a million years think that there would be more of us.

Benton said that she had also had reservations about how her character would be presented.

The heart and the intention of Peggy were always there, she said, but there were some nuances to the way her story played out that bothered her, and she expressed these apprehensions to Gilded Age producers and HBO.

What excited me and made me want to advocate for more change was because of what was already there, Benton said.

An early concern arose from a narrative puzzle presented in the first episode of the series: How would Peggy gain permission to stay with Marian in her aunts home?

One solution presented in an early draft of the script was that Peggy could pretend to be Marians domestic servant. But while this might have made logical sense, Benton said she found the idea uncomfortable.

The one Black person that youre going to see regularly, does that need to be a trope? she said. Have we not seen enough Black women play that role on television?

Fellowes said that Peggy was never going to be a real servant, but even pretending to be one took us in the wrong direction. He said that other producers had expressed similar misgivings, adding, Denes concerns were a useful and productive contribution to this debate, but once the idea had been voiced, I dont remember anyone disagreeing.

Benton said producers were receptive when she would flag issues like this in the period between the fall of 2019 and spring of 2020, while The Gilded Age was preparing to shoot its first season.

I was at the mercy of people choosing to listen to me, she said. I was like, look, even though you guys are listening its amazing there needs to be more.

The onset of the pandemic in March 2020 forced The Gilded Age to halt production before filming started. Later that spring, the police killing of George Floyd led to weeks of social protest, and it also prompted a widespread re-examination about the presentation of Black people in theater, film, television and throughout the media.

It was a national conversation that played out in its own way at The Gilded Age. In June 2020, Benton sent a letter to HBO asking for further changes at the show. Her central request, Benton said, was that we now have time to really add some Black women to the central nervous system of the creative team.

Benton said she felt an expectation to speak out during this time. I could feel the pins and needles of everyone waiting to hear from me in some capacity, she said. In the way I think all corporations were like, oh God, are we next?

(She declined to provide her letter for this article. In one world it would be beautiful for everyone to see that letter and see whats possible, she said. But I want the focus to be on the fact that the changes did occur.)

By that time, HBO and producers at The Gilded Age were already in the process of recruiting and promoting women of color at the show.

Salli Richardson-Whitfield, the actor (A Low Down Dirty Shame) and director of TV shows like Queen Sugar, Black-ish and The Wheel of Time, was initially hired in November 2019 to direct two episodes of the series.

Richardson-Whitfield said she was brought onto The Gilded Age because they were looking for a director of color, because they knew that they were going to have these story lines and they wanted to make sure they were done authentically.

She was made an executive producer in June 2020, and she went on to direct four episodes of the series. Dunbar, the historical consultant, had been made a consulting producer in the winter of early 2020 and then was promoted to co-executive producer in June 2020.

A search for another writer to join the Gilded Age staff that began at the start of 2020 identified Sonja Warfield (Will & Grace, The Game), who had been developing another project at HBO. She joined The Gilded Age as a writer and co-executive producer that July, after the network set up a meeting between her and Fellowes.

I wasnt even sure it was a job at first, Warfield said. I was meeting with Julian and then they were like, Oh, youre hired. And I thought, What? OK. Great.

Warfield said she was not chosen solely to write Black characters on The Gilded Age. I was hired to write for everyone, she said. But she said she was able to bring details from her own family history to the series, like making McDonalds character a musician, a trait inspired by one of her great-grandmothers, who played and taught piano.

I wanted to show that these people were cultured and educated, Warfield explained. It was strategic.

Dunbar said that Bentons letter was part of a larger push to make changes and improvements at The Gilded Age.

There was an organic evolution that was spurred by the moment in which we were living, Dunbar said. Denes letter was helpful. It was really helpful to have a cast member give their opinions. In addition to that, there were definitely other conversations and work that was being done.

HBO said in a statement that the network and Universal Television, its studio partner on the series, had redoubled efforts to expand the series creative team to include more Black women during production by June 2020. The statement added that Bentons letter shined an important light on this crucial issue.

Filming on The Gilded Age finally began in September 2020. When McDonald was approached to play Peggys mother, Dorothy, she said she had some hesitations.

I just worried, am I going to be a maid? she said. But after reading a sample scene that showed Peggy and Dorothy discussing details of their prosperous life over lunch at a restaurant for Black customers, McDonald said, I was like, oh, yes. Because its not whats expected. Its not whats ever depicted.

Fellowes said that he had always intended for the series to include the characters of Dorothy and Arthur Scott to give Peggy a family context and broaden her story.

The shows expanded creative team added more Black characters, like the journalist and newspaper editor T. Thomas Fortune, a historical figure played by Sullivan Jones. The group also solved narrative problems, like having Peggy take a job as a secretary to Agnes, and helped redesign Peggys wardrobe.

As Benton explained: Theres a real difference in the way that I would have dressed to play a maid than to play a secretary someone with her own sovereignty and interior life that wasnt tied to Marians side. That really trickled into every part of the way my character showed up.

Thompson, a star of theater (The Merchant of Venice) and TV (Mare of Easttown), said he hoped to see The Gilded Age continue to break new ground in chronicling the Scott family and this era of Black history. (HBO announced on Monday that it has renewed the series for a second season.)

Theres more to go you can always go deeper and wider, he said. But I also feel like the table has been set for the introduction of this family, for an audience to say, Oh wow, I didnt even know there was a class of people like this that existed.

Richardson-Whitfield, who directed this weeks episode, said that there was value in teaching this history. But she said it was also important for The Gilded Age to find the humanity in sequences like Marians awkward introduction to the Scott household.

I just had so much fun with that scene, from the moment Marian walks out of that carriage, she said. The looks from the people on the street. The astonishment when she comes through the door. I wanted to make a meal out of it.

As with any other period drama, Richardson-Whitfield said, Its about telling a story and getting great performances. And showing off those beautiful clothes.

See original here:

The Gilded Age Explores a Rarely Seen Chapter of Black History - The New York Times

Some major U.S. companies, including Verizon, Facebook owner Meta, Google parent Alphabet andAmazon.com, have publicly highlighted their efforts to commemorate Black History Month.But those same companies have also contributedto lawmakers who blocked two federal elections bills in 2021.

Thats according to Accountable.US, a liberal-leaning advocacy group that released a new analysis of corporate spending this month that found at least $459,000 in donations to U.S. lawmakers who blocked the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, key pieces of legislation that backers say would help the very communities the companies claim to support.

Yet again, major corporations are insulting the intelligence of their consumers, shareholders and employees with more empty words of support for Black communities words that contradict their actions of rewarding the very lawmakers determined to silence voters of color, said Jeremy Funk, a spokesman for Accountable.US.

Other corporate-accountability groups have noted a similar contradiction from last April, when some 111 companies signed an open statement pledging their support for voting rights in the face of bills in Georgia and other states that would make it harder for Black people to vote.

Employees, the consumer public and investors all see what a company is doing, and they are all reacting and responding.

The statement, published with some fanfare in the New York Times and other publications by the Black Economic Alliance, was titled We Stand for Democracy. It was led by former American Express AXP, +0.20% CEO Ken Chenault and then Merck MRK, -0.76% CEO Ken Frazier, both of whom are Black.

Voting is the lifeblood of our democracy and we call upon all Americans to join us in taking a nonpartisan stand for this most basic and fundamental right of all Americans, said the statement, which was signed by Facebook FB, -2.02%, Alphabet GOOGL, +0.83%, Microsoft MSFT, -0.12% and Amazon AMZN, +1.02%, alongside blue-chips like General Motors GM, +1.53% and IBM IBM, -0.58%.

Yet most of those same companies were silent in January, when President Joe Biden made a last-ditch effort to shore up support for a voting-rights bill in a speech in Atlanta, according to the Popular Information newsletter.

And many had already donated to House Republicans who voted against the first elections bill in March, according to Accountable.US.

Additionally, the lawmakers those companies gave to have been openlyopposingvoting rightslegislationover the lastfew years,so their public [stance] on the issue has been crystal clear since before 2021, said Funk.

Bruce Freed, the president of the Center for Political Accountability, a nonprofit that advocates for better disclosure, said financing lawmakers who support legislation that runs counter to the values a company claims to espouse is a major risk for companies.

Younger people in particular expect that companies align their political spending with their values and policies, and they face a very serious risk when they dont because the media is paying much more attention, he said. Employees, the consumer public and investors all see what a company is doing, and they are all reacting and responding.

The Freedom to Vote Act (FVA) was introduced by a group of Democratic U.S. senators last year seeking to counter the hundreds of bills passed by Republican-controlled legislatures that critics say will make it harder for Black Americans and other people of color to vote. The bill came after the For the People Act, a 791-page bill put together by Democrats that promised a major overhaul of voting procedures, was passed in the House in March, but then blocked by a Republican filibuster in June.

When the FVA failed to muster support, it was consolidated with the John R. Lewis Act, which sought to restore and strengthen the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, portions of which had been struck down by Supreme Court rulings.

From the archives (March 2021):Amid outcry, Georgia governor signs bill restricting voting into law

Also from March:Raphael Warnock says Republican efforts to shift voting practices in Georgia and other states represent Jim Crow revanchism

The new bill sought to make Election Day a national holiday, expand early voting, make voting by mail easier, and expand the kind of personal identification documents that people in states that require IDs for in-person voting could present. It sought to restore voting rights to people who had completed sentences for felonies, outlaw partisan gerrymandering, and reform campaign-finance laws to shine a light on so-called dark money donations.

The bill was blocked by Republicans and finally defeated in January, when two Democratic senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, refused to change the chambers rules to overcome the filibusters 60-vote threshold and allow passage with a simple majority. Both said they supported the bill itself but did not want it to pass without bipartisan support.

I ask every elected official in America: Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? Biden said in his speech last month on voting rights, days before the bill collapsed. Do you want to be on the side of John Lewis, or Bull Connor?

To be sure, Republicans have a different view on their opposition to the voting bills, which they mostly cast as a states rights issue.

Former Wisconsin GOP Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, for example,said the For the People Actis highly partisan and federalizes state election laws and procedures, violating established constitutional principles of federalism and the separation of powers.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican, said in a January floor speech that Democrats are backing not some modest bill about ballot access. Its a sprawling takeover of our whole political system.

Were past the point of speeches on this issue; we need Washington to act.

But Black-led civil-rights groups are skeptical.

Black voters risked everything including their own health at the height of the pandemic to vote Biden and Senate Democrats into office, Cliff Albright and LaTosha Brown, the co-founders of Black Voters Matter, said in response to Bidens January speech. Its time that officials in Washington treat us and our rights with the same level [of] urgency.Were past the point of speeches on this issue; we need Washington to act.

In a separate statement last summer, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation said the negative impact of GOP efforts to quash the Black vote would be felt for decades, and making it harder to vote now will discourage Black people from voting in the future. Ever since we made history in last years election, legislators across the country have been retaliating with restrictive voting laws nationwide, the organization added.

Microsoft kicked off Black History Month on a celebratory note Feb. 1, with a tweet focused on the theme of every act makes history, sent by chief diversity officer Lindsay-Rae McIntyre.

Taking specific, intentional bold actions today ensures a future where Black and African-American culture and communities are respected, flourish and prosper, said the tweet.

Yet the company also donated at least $135,000 to Senate Republicans who blocked the John Lewis bill, according to Accountable.US. Microsoft declined to comment for this article.

Google this month launched a search feature focused on Black history, and encouraged users to explore the theme. But the company, which also declined to comment for this article, donated at least $99,500 to lawmakers who blocked the two elections bills.

In Verizons VZ case, the company started Black History Month with a tweet pledging to elevate Black voices. But it also donated more than $450,000 to lawmakers who voted against the bills. Verizon did not respond to a request for comment.

Facebook, now renamed Meta, said it was recognizing Black History as its being lived and written today. The company has in the past called on Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act, yet in 2021, the company also donated at least $27,500 to lawmakers who voted against federal elections legislation, according to Accountable.US. Facebook did not respond to a request for comment.

Amazon started February with a pledge to amplify Remarkably Black individuals. Yet the company donated $41,000 to senators who blocked the federal elections legislation. Amazon did not respond to a request for comment.

Big Tech isnt the only industry bankrolling backers of legislation that could suppress voter participation, according to the Center for Political Accountability. A study by the center of donations during the 2018 and 2020 election cycles found even two big names headquartered in Atlanta, a city where Black people are the largest racial or ethnic group Coca-Cola Co. KO, -0.02% and Delta DAL, -0.18% were major donors.

To avoid the appearance of hypocrisy, companies need to align their corporate political responsibility with their corporate social responsibility, said Freed of the Center for Public Accountability. They need to put their money where their rhetoric is, he said.

In October of 2020, the nonprofit and the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School released a code of conduct to help guide companies, offering a broad framework to approach and manage political spending.

The 12-point code seeks to help companies avoid the increased level of reputational, business and legal risk posed by the seismic shifts in how society engages with and scrutinizes corporations, according to an introduction.

That risk is heightened by the evolution of social media and resurgence of activism in civil society, it added.

Institutional investors have a major stake in how companies handle this, because they invest on an index basis, said Freed. They need to ensure that all companies are operating on a level playing field, and that they have some code that ensures accountability and transparency.

Original post:

Facebook, Google, Amazon and more marked Black History Month with fanfare after donating to lawmakers who blocked voting rights bills - MarketWatch

BAY CITY, MI - The Bay City NAACP branch is inviting the public to learn about Black history through the power of film with a special movie matinee.

On Saturday, Feb. 19, the NAACP will be showing two historical movies for Black History Month at the State Theatre at 913 Washington Avenue. The movie Red Tails will be shown at 2 p.m. and Marshall will be shown at 5 p.m. Both movies are rated PG-13.

The goal is to bring people of all backgrounds and walks of life, young and old together to educate us all on American history and the struggles of African Americans through motion picture. We hope that you will come out and join us, said Ali Smith, NAACP committee chairperson and event planner.

Marshall tells the tale of a Thurgood Marshall, a lawyer who would become the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, according to IMDb. Meanwhile, Red Tails is the story of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program during the World War II era, according to IMDb.

I think we will all learn something from both movies which captures two great American Icons of the Civil Rights and Freedom Movements Thurgood Marshall and the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, said Darold Newton, president of the Bay City NAACP branch.

Admission to see the movies is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item, which will then be donated to area food pantries. Seating is limited and masks are required. Free popcorn and soda will be provided by the Bay Area Community Foundation.

Our organization came up with this idea that you can learn a lot about history through motion picture and be enlightened and entertained while doing so, said Newton. So, we encourage parents to bring their children. We also invite the whole community to come out and share in on this wonderful free event and the experience in learning about pivotal moments in Black history and American history on the big screen. Rating appropriate of course.

More from MLive

Bay Citys NAACP branch celebrates over a century of existence in a predominantly white county

A look back at Bay Citys NAACP events over the years

Black History Month 2022: Heres how you can mark the celebration in Michigan

Read the original post:

Experience Black History Month in Bay City with two free movies at the State Theatre - MLive.com

When the "GMA" Inspiration List debuted during Black History Month in 2021, prominent figures in fields such as business, entertainment, science and sports shared the names of change-makers who were making Black history in the present.

Names such as Dr. Kizzmekia Kizzy Corbett, who helped develop the COVID-19 vaccine, Amanda Gorman, whose inauguration poem wowed the nation, and Stacey Abrams, who galvanized the 2020 elections with her get-out-the-vote message, were recognized for their achievements, leadership and ability to inspire.

In these ever-changing times, "GMA" is continuing the conversation and asking more figures to share who in the Black community is doing work today that inspires them.

Scroll down to see the impressive list of people working their way into the history books for our time through their passion and contributions. Plus, you can hear from the nominators in their own words why they appreciate their nominee's dedication to their cause.

I met Emtithal Mahmoud, also known as Emi, in 2018 in my role as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and was instantly captivated -- her pure talent, authenticity and infectious benevolence are extraordinary and truly merit recognition.

Emi is a World Champion Poet, former refugee and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and grew up in Philadelphia. She spends her time tirelessly advocating for refugees and disadvantaged communities around the world. Some of her incredible highlights include in 2018 when she walked 1,000 kilometers from Darfur to Khartoum, mobilizing thousands along the way, and in 2020, when she served as an independent, unaffiliated advisor to the Juba Peace Talks, creating unprecedented recommendations on civil liberties, gender equality, refugee rights and more. Emi is best known for using poetry to advocate and promote peace. She has performed powerful spoken words at global events, from music festivals and concerts, to Davos and the U.N.. Most recently, Emi attended and performed at COP26 with a poem shedding light on the human impacts of the climate crisis.

What is more, not only is Emi an activist, a changemaker and a poet, she is also a scientist who studied anthropology, and molecular cellular and developmental biology at Yale, and graduated in 2016, earning a bachelor of science and Certificate in Global Health; Emi is hoping to go back to medicine this year.

Its rising stars like Emi who make the world a better place -- humanizing, inspiring and creating empathy everywhere she goes. I am so proud to nominate her.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an actress who currently stars as Jane on "The Girl Before" and Ravonna Renslayer on "Loki."

Felicia Pride is doing culture-shifting work in multiple facets of the entertainment world. She is a film and television writer, producer, director, podcast host and founder who is already putting her stamp on the industry across the board. Felicia's production company, Honey Chile, is aimed at centering Black women 40+. She also founded The Create Daily, a resource for underrepresented storytellers to thrive.

A specific eye-opening moment for me involving her work came this season on "Grey's Anatomy." She wrote an episode dedicated to racial bias in health care. It's an episode of television that spread waves of awareness about dealing with medical formulas and their racial disparities. People of color, particularly Black women, are often overlooked in health care systems due to outdated practices and teachings. Felicia highlighted a very real current issue that showed how race is used to determine kidney function in patients. Since it's airing, changes are now being more widely implemented in eGFR standards, which is the exact issue she raised so effectively on "Grey's." Her episode undoubtedly helped spur some of these crucial industry changes that are being made in the health care community.

Anthony Hill is an actor who currently stars as Winston Ndugu on "Grey's Anatomy."

I'm nominating Sumayyah Franklin of Sumi's Touch for "GMA's" Inspiration List. Sumayyah is a traditional midwife, a full-spectrum doula at a time when institutional racism in the hospital setting is being highlighted and examined.

Legislation is trying to be passed. The real work is happening on the ground. Sumayyah is making a huge impact on Black communities worldwide by leading doula trainings that teach Black women how to support one another in the birthing process, prenatal, through birth and postpartum, and in that, ushering in a new generation of beautiful Black babies that are born in safe, healthy, loving environments -- full of community, self-empowered mamas, and ancestral presence and wisdom.

So grateful to Sumayyah, thank you for being a change-maker and thank you, "GMA," for highlighting the beautiful work that she does.

Yaya DaCosta is an actress who currently stars as Angela Vaughn on "Our Kind of People."

I would like to nominate my aunt, Kimberly Latrice Jones. Shes a best-selling author, activist, director and all around Renaissance woman. Her speech, How Can We Win, went viral in 2020 after the tragic death of George Floyd and brought immediate attention to the lack of equality and equity in the Black community. She was a voice that was needed and necessary.

Even today, she is still fighting the good fight even while managing her extremely busy career and being an amazing mother. She is a beacon of light and a voice that will forever be heard.

Thank you for being you, Aunt Kim.

T. Murph is an actor who currently stars as Clovis on "Woke."

I first came across Elyse Fox on Instagram through her nonprofit organization, Sad Girls Club. After going through a hard time herself, Elyse created a safe space for her community. She is redefining and supporting mental wellness for BIPOC-identifying women all around the world through her organization.

As someone who is passionate about empowering and creating more opportunities for BIPOC youth artists, the work that Elyse is doing for health and wellness in the community continues to inspire me. Elyse has an amazing way of transparently showcasing the lives of Gen Z and millennial girls and women on her social media platforms, and how their mental health can be potentially impacted in living in todays world. Advocacy for mental health is so needed, and I cant wait to see what Elyse and Sad Girls Club accomplish next as they support and break stigmas in BIPOC communities worldwide.

Britt Stewart is a professional dancer who became the first Black female pro on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2020.

Osei Vita, also known as Mestre Ax, is someone Ive known and looked up to since I was a child learning Capoeira, an African-Brazilian martial art that was brought over to Brazil by enslaved Africans disguised as a dance in order to practice fighting techniques for revolting.

Osei is the first non-Brazilian mestre in North America. He is based out of the Los Angeles headquarters, Capoeira Brasil LA, which is dedicated to working in the Southern California community, and serving its families with a mission to promote self-confidence, respect and tolerance through athleticism and culture.

Not only is Osei a teacher, he is also a leader. He moves the culture forward every day through the values, and lessons he instills in his students and colleagues. His class is not just about mastering acrobatic and complex maneuvers, it focuses on our history as Black people, and revolves around music and sense of culture and family. Every class taken with Osei is empowering, I always walk away feeling uplifted and enlightened. Osei is more than deserving of this nomination.

Trevor Jackson is an actor who currently stars as Aaron Jackson on "Grown-ish."

When I first met Ceyenne, I was so surprised, because the first thing she told me was, You know my father. I was incarcerated with her dad, Frank Big Black Smith, who was a leader in the Attica Uprising in 1971. Attica was the first time that people in the United States as a whole really started paying attention to injustices in the prison system -- and the fact that prisons are not set up to be places for justice or rehabilitation. At all. But with she being his daughter, I think Ceyenne and I were destined to meet. It was at a sex work decriminalization conference in New Orleans. She would call me for advice and we got closer and she came down from New York to visit me. She started doing things in the community and I love her for that. And its not always easy.

But she keeps going and she has my heart for that. Being Black and being transgender, I couldnt just go in for a job interview and get a call back. Its still that way for most of my community. And so many of us end up in the prison system because our parents dont want anything to do with us, cant get a job, even the shelters won't think twice about turning away people in my community. So Im proud of what Ceyenne is doing, helping the community avoid the traps that lead us into the system. Shes mentoring the girls and guys and nonbinary kids who are just coming up. Shes teaching them how to use their voices. Her organization, GLITS, actually bought some property thats permanent where girls can stay and know that someone has their back, because she has the drive in her where if she sees a wrong happening to someone, shes going to try to right it.

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy is a transgender activist who runs House of GG in Little Rock, Arkansas, and executive produced the series "Trans in Trumpland."

Melanie Willingham Jaggers

Rebekah Robinson (she/her) is a storyteller, an activist and the young Black, bold queer woman this generation needs. Rebekah is a born leader who has been inspiring and advocating for young people, especially Black LGBTQ+ youth, not only in her community, but across the globe -- and at a very young age.

Rebekah led her high schools GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) and collaborated with her local GLSEN chapter to provide leadership development for fellow classmates and revamping an LGBTQ-inclusive sex-ed curriculum. Rebekah took her advocacy nationally, working alongside fellow queer students across the country as experts of their lived experiences as a member of GLSENs National Student Council. Rebekahs voice continues to inspire young queer students as GLSENs first-ever Senior Advisor for Student Voices on the Board of Directors, serving to fight for affirming and inclusive K-12 environments for fellow LGBTQ students and educators. Rebekahs passions for language, travel, education, sports, social justice and journalism are rooted in her advocacy and a reminder that a strong Black voice for change knows no bounds.

Rebekah is making Black history no matter what language she is speaking, where she is traveling and who she is speaking to. In this moment, she is a masters candidate at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, and co-hosts and co-produces the "Dis Place" podcast for Black Futures Now Toronto, which explores Black and queer geography in Toronto, Ontario. Her audio storytelling voice has covered Black artists and international LGBTQ issues. Rebekah is an inspiration to me and serves as a voice of intersectionality for young, Black, queer students in search of support and affirmation.

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers is the first Black, nonbinary executive director of GLSEN.

Kahlil Greene, known online as the Gen Z Historian, is changing the way history education happens. Breathing new life into an ancient field with upbeat charisma and well-researched lessons.

To see a young person like Kahlil publicly confronting subjects like critical race theory, historical atrocities and more during a time when there are open discussions about curtailing the discussions of these topics in classrooms, is nothing short of inspiring. With an infectious smile, unrelenting wit, and talent for concise and incisive responses, Kahlil makes learning history engaging and exciting. He is also a recent graduate from Yale University, where he served as the student body president.

In addition to having graduated over the course of an unprecedented pandemic, he used his time at Yale to improve conditions for students as it relates to race and class. He led efforts that changed conditions not only for students on his campus but across the country.

Blair Imani is an award-winning educator, historian, influencer, semi-retired organizer, public speaker and the author of "Read This to Get Smarter."

Black history is being made by an unsung s/hero named Locola Hayes, MBA, who serves as the Management Official and Chief Strategy Advisor in the Office of Science at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Locola is a major, but humble influencer; she is spearheading transformative change to achieve equity across the agency, but never expects personal recognition. Locola has played a seminal role in the creation of CDCs first national health equity science and intervention strategy. The health equity strategy, known as CORE, has the commitment of the entire agency and consists of 159 health equity goals reflecting CDCs broad public health portfolio. When fully implemented, CORE has the potential to disrupt longstanding patterns of health inequities experienced by communities of color and other groups that have been marginalized and systematically limited in their opportunities to attain their best health.

Braced with a sense of urgency to seize a unique moment in history, Locola has been steadfast in her efforts to mobilize the needed resources, technical expertise, and partnerships -- putting in place equitable and inclusive solutions. For example, she spearheaded the establishment of a Health Equity Science Fellowship for CDC scientists wanting to increase their knowledge and ability to conduct health equity science. Without this fellowship, CDC would not have the capacity it needs to move a bold and comprehensive health equity plan forward.

Drawing upon her global public health work in Uganda and West Africa, Locola executes at a high level of management operations to leverage CDCs scientific workforce to pursue health equity and eliminate largely preventable health disparities. Her work through CORE is a truly historic initiative that will prevent excess deaths and disease in communities of color; its implementation and success would not be possible without the tireless contributions of Locola Hayes. Locola is deserving of national recognition for the role she is playing to ensure African Americans have a just and fair opportunity to be healthy. Every day, she takes actions that demonstrate her influence as a global champion for health equity.

Dr. Leandris Liburd is the associate director for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity.

Octavia is the author of "Pause, Rest, Be: Stillness Practices for Courage During Times of Change" as well as the book, "Gather." Octavia's writing invites her readers into a quiet contemplative place of inquiry, reflection and deeper self-love, much like she does in her yoga classes, workshops, immersions and retreats.

Octavia has revolutionized the way we think about rest and the connection to liberation. She has dedicated her life to rest in a way that can truly transform both the individual and collective. Octavia prioritized the rest and well-being for some of the most vulnerable populations during the pandemic by virtually hosting her groundbreaking retreat, Starshine & Clay, a safe and brave space for women of color to prioritize rest and self-care.

She is a proud wife and mother who is committed to herself, family and community being well, rested and free. She uses and shares the tools that support her own sense of wellness, freedom and expansion in the world: restorative yoga, writing, meditation and yoga nidra to guide you toward living your best life!

Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is a Peloton yoga teacher and the founder of Red Clay Yoga, a nonprofit organization that brings yoga to diverse communities.

Angel Gregorio is the visionary woman behind The Spice Suite, a popular spice shop in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington D.C. Angel sells unique hand-blended spices, condiments and cookware, which she travels the world to source -- and are perfect for the home cook looking to add depth of flavor to their weeknight dishes.

I love the authentic way Angel came into this business: Inspired by a gift of delicious and aromatic Kuwaiti spices, she set out on a journey to discover the world of small-batch seasonings. Having smelled and tasted the richness and quality of fresh spices and oils, she decided to open a shop and (literally and metaphorically) bring the worlds flavors to her friends and neighbors. Six years later, she continues to satisfy and inspire her customers with unique blends such as seafood/crab seasoning, a peach sriracha-flavored honey and strawberry almond-flavored vanilla. We wrote about her in our entrepreneurs package.

More, I love how she uses her success to support others. Every month, she allows other entrepreneurs to use her space as a pop-up. And during the height of the 2020 pandemic, she partnered with DC or Nothing to distribute over 80,000 pounds of food by organizing pop-ups throughout D.C. that provided access to bread, cheese and produce to the food insecure.

Dawn Davis is editor in chief of Bon Apptit.

Tony is the founder and executive director of Harlem Grown, an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition. Founded in 2011, Harlem Grown operates local urban farms, increases access to and knowledge of healthy food for Harlem residents, and provides garden-based development programs to Harlem youth.

Tony is an inspiration to me personally and to the entire community he serves. His approach to ending the circle of poverty through healthy food makes a huge impact on the lives of New Yorkers daily.

It would be my honor to nominate Tony for the GMA Inspiration List!

Rze Traore is a globally renowned fine-dining chef, an alum of Eleven Madison Park, model and advocate for communities facing food insecurity.

Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson have done something incredible with Blk & Bold. As the first nationally distributed Black-owned coffee brand, Cezar and Johnson are combining purpose with quality products -- making their rising success no surprise. From partnerships with major companies like Ben & Jerrys and the NBA, Blk & Bolds approach to business is what sets them apart.

As a Black entrepreneur myself, I know first-hand how challenging it can be to meet demand while simultaneously giving back to your community. Cezar and Johnsons commitment to their social impact model is exactly why they are making waves across the industry. Not only do they dedicate 5% of Blk & Bolds profits to initiatives that help youth in need, but they have already donated more than $40,000 to community organizations.

Cezar and Johnson are shining examples of change-makers, and Im proud to nominate them to GMAs Inspiration List.

Aurora James is the founder of Fifteen Percent Pledge and the fashion label Brother Vellies.

The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of ABC News.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News and "Good Morning America."

View original post here:

Who is making Black history right now: The 'GMA' Inspiration List 2022 - ABC News

A member of Johnston Parents for Equity and Anti-Racism said she hopes curriculum can include Black historyand Black joyall year, not just in February.

DES MOINES, Iowa Despite more than 40 years of Black History Month celebrations, teachers still face challenges implementing it into their curriculum, and parents of color still fight for a broader range of Black experiences to be reflected.

Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), hopes districts implement those teachings beyond the month of February.

"There are so many components to the history of the Black culture in the United States that it can be spread throughout all curricular areas, the entire school year," Beranek said.

Tiara Mays, a member of the Johnston's Parent for Equity Against Racism, echoes that statement.

"Black history is 365 days a year," Mays said.

Tiara hopes educators branch out and explore other Black figures that are less commonly taught in schools.

"I want them to learn more and more figures outside of just Martin Luther King Rosa Parks, talking about our first Black president, our current vice president, just going more in depth," Mays said.

Beranek said educators also have faced challenges, referencing an Iowa law passed in June prohibiting schools from teaching critical race theory.

"There are those individuals who would like to narrow the scope of what we teach in our classrooms, but that's not good," he said. "That is just presenting one opinion or another. And because our classrooms are full of all kinds of diverse cultures, and they come from all backgrounds, we need to make sure that we honor everyone who's in that room."

Mays said that type of legislation prevents kids from learning all there is to know of the history of Black Americans.

"Our teachers are continuously being threatened with, you know, going to jail or being fined," Mays said. "That's having a hindrance on what our kids are learning. It's a direct flow."

She worries that makes teachers feel like they can't talk about some topics.

"So as long as things are happening at the capitol where our teachers feel they can't talk and teach our kids in a space that's safe for them personally, our children will continue to get surface level education," Mays said.

WATCH | 'Its heartbreaking': Child care providers say Des Moines is facing a crisis

View post:

Iowa State Education Association, parents want Black history to be taught all year round - Local 5 - weareiowa.com

Dear Tom,

Over the entire history of Chicago weather records, which day of the year has received the most total amount of snow?

Which day has most often had measurable snowfall?

Kent Rhodes, Lisle

Dear Kent,

Chicagos snowfall climatology dates back to the 1884-85 snow season and over the course of those 138 seasons, Jan. 26 with a total of 87.4 inches boasts the most snowfall of any day of the year. That total is buoyed by the 16.4 inches that fell in 1967, the first day of the citys benchmark 23.0 inch Big Snow. The runners-up snowiest days are Jan. 13 with 70.7 inches and Feb. 6 with 70.0 inches. This data was provided by Meteorologist Steve Bowen, head of Aons Catastrophe Insight Unit. The date with the most measurable snowfalls is Jan. 13 with 48 occurrences, followed by Feb. 6 with 46, and Dec. 25 with 43.

View original post here:

Over the entire history of Chicago weather records, which day of the year has received the most total amount of snow? - WGN-TV