Black History

Introduction The history of slavery in New York challenges the belief that slavery was only a Southern institution. Long before New York became known as a center of finance, culture, and opportunity, the region was already connected to the Atlantic slave system. Enslaved Africans were brought to New York during Dutch rule and remained part

Introduction I’ve learned that history is filled with remarkable people whose contributions weren’t fully appreciated when they first made them. Tracy Norman is one of those individuals. During the 1970s, she became one of the first Black transgender models to achieve major success in the fashion industry. Her beauty, professionalism, and talent opened doors that

Introduction I’ve learned that few identities in America are as misunderstood as the Creole identity. Over the years, the word “Creole” has meant different things to different people, which has created a lot of confusion. Some believe all Creoles are Black, while others assume they’re White or simply of mixed ancestry. The truth is more

Introduction Every nation tells stories about who it is and how it came to be. Some stories celebrate freedom, courage, and achievement, while others ask us to face painful chapters we would rather forget. America is no different. I’ve come to believe that we cannot fully understand where we’re going without first understanding where we’ve

Introduction Over the past few years, I’ve heard more people talking about the term “Foundational Black American,” or FBA. For some, it’s a way of honoring the unique journey of Black Americans whose ancestors were enslaved in this country. They believe that history deserves to be recognized when conversations turn to reparations, public policy, and

Introduction I’ve come to believe that some of the greatest ideas begin in the most ordinary moments. They don’t always come from famous people, big companies, or government offices. Many are born when everyday folks find a better way to solve an everyday problem. That’s exactly what happened with Willie Lee Duckworth. As a young

Introduction The decades surrounding the First and Second World Wars changed the social and economic landscape of the United States. During this period, millions of African Americans left the rural South in what became known as The Great Migration. They sought better-paying jobs, greater personal freedom, and an escape from the harsh realities of Jim

Introduction The history of the American South cannot be fully understood without listening to the voices of the families who lived through sharecropping, segregation, and the poverty that followed slavery. Their experiences reveal not only the hardships they endured but also the strength, resilience, and hope that carried generations forward. For many Black families, freedom