Happy 100th Birthday James Baldwin!

Today's blog was written by Kaitlin Rogers, Archives Technician at the National Archives at College Park “The Most Dangerous Creation of Any Society is the Man Who has Nothing to Lose.” ~James Baldwin James Arthur Baldwin was born on August 2, 1924, in Harlem, New York. His mother Emma Berdis Jones married David Baldwin when … Continue reading Happy 100th Birthday James Baldwin!

Happy Founder’s Day Tuskegee University

Today's blog was written by Kaitlin Rogers, Archives Technician at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. "Knowledge, Leadership, Service" Harmon Foundation Collection: Tuskegee Institute, Booker T. Washington Monument (NAID 26174885) On July 4th, 1881, Booker T. Washington opened the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers in Tuskegee, Alabama’s African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Five … Continue reading Happy Founder’s Day Tuskegee University

Tribute to Willie Mays

“In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this.” ~Willie Mays President Barack Obama talks with baseball great Willie Mays aboard Air Force One en … Continue reading Tribute to Willie Mays

Tribute to James Lawson

Contributed by Tina L. Ligon and Kaitlin Rogers from the National Archives at College Park, Maryland “Through nonviolence, courage displaces fear, love transforms hate , acceptance dissipates prejudice, hope ends despair, peace dominates war, faith reconciles doubt, mutual regard cancels enmity, justice for all overthrows injustice.” ~James Lawson On June 9, 2024, James M. Lawson … Continue reading Tribute to James Lawson

Happy Birthday Gladys Knight!

Today's post was written by Kaitlin Rogers, archives technician at the National Archives in College Park. “I know those challenges that come up from time to time in life are our little learning tools, our little stepping stones. If we didn't have those things in our life, how would we learn anything? We would just … Continue reading Happy Birthday Gladys Knight!

Tribute to Faith Ringgold

“I don't think you can create art out of anger; it has to come out of some form of understanding. You have to feel good about who you are and that you could do something to change things.” ~ Faith Ringgold RG 86 Commemorative Poster - 75th Anniversary of the Women's Bureau (NAID 325597766) On … Continue reading Tribute to Faith Ringgold

The FBI’s Brief Investigation on Audre Lorde

Today's post was written by Christina Violeta Jones, Archivist with the Special Access and FOIA Program at the National Archives at College Park, MD "For those of us who write, it is necessary to scrutinize not only the truth of what we speak, but the truth of that language, by which we speak it." -Audre … Continue reading The FBI’s Brief Investigation on Audre Lorde

Tribute to Louis Gossett, Jr.

“We are born with freedom and hope, but often that's dashed because of our color. But in school, I'd already been taught that no one could tell me that you can't do something because you're black.” ~ Louis Gossett, Jr. On March 29, 2024, Louis Gossett, Jr. passed away at 87 years old. He was … Continue reading Tribute to Louis Gossett, Jr.

Happy Birthday Augusta Savage!

“I have created nothing really beautiful, really lasting, but if I can inspire one of these youngsters to develop the talent I know they possess, then my monument will be in their work.” ~ Augusta Savage Collection H: Photograph of Augusta Savage (NAID 559182) Augusta Christine Fells Savage was born on February 29, 1892, in … Continue reading Happy Birthday Augusta Savage!

Carter G. Woodson The Father of Black History and Black History Month

Today's post was written by M. Marie Maxwell, archivist in the Special Access and FOIA Program at the National Archives in College Park. It's February, which means it is Black History Month. Do you know why we have a Black History Month? Because it started out as Negro History Week. And who started that? Dr. … Continue reading Carter G. Woodson The Father of Black History and Black History Month