A History Rooted in ExclusionIn 1857, the Supreme Court issued one of the most consequential decisions in American history, the Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling. It declared that Black people, whether free or enslaved, could not be citizens of the United States. That decision did more than deny rights; it defined who was considered part […]
Citizenship and the Constitution: Why the 14th Amendment Still Matters Read More »
The Debate Over Names and MeaningThere is an ongoing debate about whether to use the term Black American or African American, and at first glance, it may seem like a simple choice of words. The more you look at it, the more you begin to see deeper questions about history, identity, and belonging. For many
Beyond Labels: Understanding Identity in the African American Experience Read More »
A Vision Born in SegregationWhen the Somerville Hotel opened in 1928, it was more than just a place to stay; it was a statement of necessity and dignity. It stood on Central Avenue, the heart of Black Los Angeles, and was built by Dr. John Somerville, the first Black graduate of the USC Dental School.
The Dunbar Hotel: Where Black Excellence Found a Home in Los Angeles Read More »
A Voice Born in UrgencyIn 1961, while dying of leukemia, Frantz Fanon wrote with a sense of urgency that few thinkers ever reach. He understood that his time was limited, and that gave his words a sharp, uncompromising edge. His final work, The Wretched of the Earth, was not just a book but a message
Frantz Fanon and the Psychology of Liberation Read More »
Why Language Matters in Understanding HistoryThe words we use to describe systems of power shape how we understand them. For decades, the phrase “white supremacy” has been used to describe racial hierarchy and dominance. It points to a system that places one group above others in status, rights, and opportunity. But some argue that the
Reframing Power: Supremacy, Narcissism, and the Language We Use Read More »
When History Feels Too Close to IgnoreThere are moments when history stops feeling distant and becomes uncomfortably close.Events many people think happened long ago actually took place within the lifetimes of our parents or grandparents. That realization changes the conversation. It challenges the idea that these stories are old or no longer relevant. Instead, they
Empire, Memory, and Truth: Confronting the Hidden Violence of Colonial History Read More »
This Is Not Theory—It’s Lived TimeThis conversation does not begin in a classroom or in theory. It begins in lived experience, in time spent watching patterns repeat until they become undeniable. When you live long enough, you learn the difference between something that is broken and something that is working exactly as it was designed.
From the Margins to the Center of Global PopulationIn 1950, Africa represented about 9 percent of the world’s population, roughly 250 million people in a world of under 3 billion. At that time, the continent was a smaller player in global demographics. Today, that picture has changed dramatically. Africa now holds about 18 percent of
Africa’s Demographic Surge and the Technology Age: A Shift That Will Redefine the World Read More »
When a Film Becomes OursEvery so often, a film moves beyond entertainment and becomes something deeper within a community. It stops feeling like just a movie and becomes a shared experience, something people connect on a deeper level. It turns into a cultural marker that people claim as their own. For many in Black America,
“Our Movie”: Culture, Pride, and the Meaning of Success Beyond Awards Read More »
Understanding the History of Government Contracts and Economic Opportunity A System That Left Many Businesses Out To understand why minority business programs were created, we have to look at how government contracts worked in the past. Government contracts are a major source of economic opportunity in the United States. When governments build highways, schools, military
Why Minority Business Programs Were Created Read More »