Online Museum of African Americans Doctors: A New Museum For a New Era

The Tardieu Museum, an online Museum of African Americans with a focus on Black medical professionals proudly announces its official launch, offering a virtual space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the profound contributions of Blacks and their medical professionals throughout history. From ancient African healers to modern-day pioneers in medicine, this groundbreaking museum highlights the resilience, innovation, and excellence of Blacks, their doctors and other professionals across centuries.

“The history of Black doctors is deeply intertwined with the fight for justice, education, and healthcare equity,” said Dr. Marie-Ange D. Tardieu, the medical director of Skin Longevity Clinic and Curator of the Online Museum of African Americans. “This museum is more than just a collection of stories—it’s a tribute to those who paved the way and an inspiration for future generations.”

A Journey Through History

The Online Museum of African Americans and of the Black Doctors among them offers a rich, interactive experience that explores:

✅ Ancient Healers – The roots of Black medical knowledge, from African herbalists to early American healers.

✅ The Fight for Education – The struggle for Black students to enter medical schools and achieve professional recognition.

✅ Medical Pioneers – Trailblazers who broke barriers, founded institutions, and advanced medical science.

✅ Civil Rights & Medicine – The role of Black doctors in advocating for healthcare rights and racial justice.

✅ Modern-Day Achievements – The ongoing impact of Black medical professionals shaping the future of healthcare.

Why This Museum Matters

For centuries, Black healers and doctors have not only healed individuals but also empowered communities, challenged discrimination, and redefined medical excellence. Understanding this history is essential in recognizing progress while addressing the ongoing fight for healthcare equity.

The virtual museum is accessible worldwide, making it an invaluable educational resource for students, researchers, and anyone passionate about history, medicine, and social justice.

Join Us in Celebrating This Legacy

The Online Museum of African Americans with a focus on Black Doctors invites the public to explore, learn, and honor the enduring contributions of Blacks and Black medical professionals. Visit us at www.MuseumofAfricanAmericans.org to experience the journey firsthand.

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact Dr. Marie-Ange D. Tardieu at info@MuseumofafricanAmericans.org

About the Online Museum of African Americans

The Online Museum of African Americans is a virtual institution dedicated to preserving and sharing African Americans through history and in medicine. Through interactive exhibits, historical narratives, and educational resources, the museum highlights the struggles, triumphs, and impact of Blacks and their medical professionals throughout history.

📍 Website: www.MuseumofAfricanAmericans.org

Cory Booker Reintroduces Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to the 200,000 African Americans Who Fought for the Union in the Civil War

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced their bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the approximately 200,000 African Americans who fought to preserve the Union during the Civil War. The bill introduction coincides with Black History Month.

African Americans served the United States in times of war since long before the Civil War. Yet, there was resistance to enlisting African Americans to take up arms at the start of the Civil War. On May 22, 1863, the United States War Department issued General Order Number 143, which established the Bureau of Colored Troops for the recruitment and organization of regiments of the Union Army composed of African American men, called the United States Colored Troops. By the end of the war, about 179,000 Black men had served as soldiers in the Army, and another 19,000 Black men had served in the Navy. Black women were not allowed to formally enlist as soldiers or sailors. They were, however, allowed to serve as nurses, cooks, spies, and scouts for the Army and the Navy.

“African Americans have laid down their lives serving in our country’s armed forces for hundreds of years,” said Senator Booker. “Though often overlooked or forgotten, the United States Colored Troops were vital to preserving the Union during the Civil War. We must honor their legacy and ensure their service and sacrifice are remembered as an integral part of our nation’s history. More than 150 years have passed since the end of the war, and this bill will ensure these American heroes are finally awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their fight for liberty, equality, and justice.”

“Hundreds of thousands of African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War have largely been left out of the nation's historical memory, despite having sacrificed their safety, and in many cases their lives,” Congresswoman Norton said. “This bill will help correct that wrong and give the descendants of those soldiers the recognition they deserve. Thank you to Senator Booker for partnering with me in this effort, and for introducing the Senate version of the bill so early this Congress.”

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

National Museum Of Nuclear Science & History Host Exhibit Honoring African American Contributions To STEM

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will host a special exhibit honoring Black History Month. The exhibit will explore and recognize African Americans’ contributions, scientific achievements, and impact in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

This impactful poster exhibition in the museum’s Periodic Hall will showcase the diverse achievements of prominent African American scientists, mathematicians, and inventors who have shaped our world. From groundbreaking medical advancements to pioneering space exploration, the exhibit highlights these individuals’ profound impact on our nation and beyond.

Visitors will learn about figures such as Dr. Charles Richard Drew, a pioneering surgeon renowned for his work in blood plasma preservation and the establishment of America’s first large-scale blood bank. The exhibit also celebrates Dr. Mae Carol Jemison, an engineer, physician, and former astronaut who made history as the first African American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

“We are honored to highlight the achievements and contributions of these outstanding individuals,” Jennifer Hayden, Museum President and CEO said. “We hope this exhibit will offer new and inspirational role models for future generations.”

“Black History Month is the perfect time for students and community members to celebrate the incredible achievements of African Americans in STEM throughout history,” Hayden added.

The museum’s Black History Month exhibition is included in the admission price and will be on display throughout February.

Must Read Book: COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid

Check out this exciting and interesting book about Harriet Tubman. The book is titled COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War. The book tells the story of the Combahee River Raid, one of Harriet Tubman's most extraordinary accomplishments, based on original documents and written by a descendant of one of the participants.

Most Americans know of Harriet Tubman's legendary life: escaping enslavement in 1849, she led more than 60 others out of bondage via the Underground Railroad, gave instructions on getting to freedom to scores more, and went on to live a lifetime fighting for change. Yet the many biographies, children's books, and films about Tubman omit a crucial chapter: during the Civil War, hired by the Union Army, she ventured into the heart of slave territory--Beaufort, South Carolina--to live, work, and gather intelligence for a daring raid up the Combahee River to attack the major plantations of Rice Country, the breadbasket of the Confederacy.

Edda L. Fields-Black--herself a descendent of one of the participants in the raid--shows how Tubman commanded a ring of spies, scouts, and pilots and participated in military expeditions behind Confederate lines. On June 2, 1863, Tubman and her crew piloted two regiments of Black US Army soldiers, the Second South Carolina Volunteers, and their white commanders up coastal South Carolina's Combahee River in three gunboats. In a matter of hours, they torched eight rice plantations and liberated 730 people, people whose Lowcountry Creole language and culture Tubman could not even understand. Black men who had liberated themselves from bondage on South Carolina's Sea Island cotton plantations after the Battle of Port Royal in November 1861 enlisted in the Second South Carolina Volunteers and risked their lives in the effort.

Using previous unexamined documents, including Tubman's US Civil War Pension File, bills of sale, wills, marriage settlements, and estate papers from planters' families, Fields-Black brings to life intergenerational, extended enslaved families, neighbors, praise-house members, and sweethearts forced to work in South Carolina's deadly tidal rice swamps, sold, and separated during the antebellum period. When Tubman and the gunboats arrived and blew their steam whistles, many of those people clambered aboard, sailed to freedom, and were eventually reunited with their families. The able-bodied Black men freed in the Combahee River Raid enlisted in the Second South Carolina Volunteers and fought behind Confederate lines for the freedom of others still enslaved not just in South Carolina but Georgia and Florida.

After the war, many returned to the same rice plantations from which they had escaped, purchased land, married, and buried each other. These formerly enslaved peoples on the Sea Island indigo and cotton plantations, together with those in the semi-urban port cities of Charleston, Beaufort, and Savannah, and on rice plantations in the coastal plains, created the distinctly American Gullah Geechee dialect, culture, and identity--perhaps the most significant legacy of Harriet Tubman's Combahee River Raid.

BUY THE BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/44WzLR8

Statue honors Dr. Justina Ford, first licensed African American female doctor in Denver

A statue celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Justina Ford was unveiled in The Aurora Highlands neighborhood in Aurora. Ford was the first licensed African American female doctor in Denver, delivering about 7,000 babies throughout her career.

Stanford University to open Department of African and African American Studies

The Stanford Board of Trustees approved the creation of the Department of African and African American Studies in the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) this week. The department – years in the making – officially opens in January.

The university has had a Program in African and African American Studies (AAAS) for more than 50 years, but long-standing efforts supporting AAAS departmentalization were galvanized by the murder of George Floyd in 2020. “Events since 2020 have made it increasingly apparent that the time has come for Stanford to put our work in AAAS on a permanent footing …” said R. Lanier Anderson, the J.E. Wallace Sterling Professor of the Humanities and professor of philosophy.

In 2021, a task force convened by former Provost Persis Drell and H&S Dean Debra Satz recommended the creation of a department.

Ato Quayson, the Jean G. and Morris M. Doyle Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies and professor of English, will serve as the AAAS department’s inaugural chair. The department will have tracks in African Studies, African American Studies, and Global Black Diaspora Studies. Also, it will provide opportunities for community-engaged learning, for students to study a language pertinent to Black Studies, and for creative expression in collaboration with the Institute for Diversity in the Arts, Quayson said in a presentation to the Committee of Student, Alumni, and External Affairs.

Shortly before the vote approving departmentalization, Quayson pulled out his well-worn original copy of Toni Morrison’s Beloved and gave a moving rendition of the character Baby Suggs’ sermon: “You got to love it. This is flesh I’m talking about here. Flesh that needs to be loved. Feet that need to rest and to dance; backs that need support; shoulders that need arms, strong arms I’m telling you.” Trustees enthusiastically applauded both Quayson’s reading and the vote approving creation of the AAAS department.

[SOURCE: STANFORD REPORT]

National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates 10 millionth visitor

It's been seven years since the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on the National Mall. But in that relatively short lifetime for a museum, a stunning number of visitors have stopped by.

On 9/30/23 the NMAAHC welcomed the 10 millionth visitor through its doors.

New Book Alert! Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot

From acclaimed columnist and political commentator Michael Harriot, a searingly smart and bitingly hilarious retelling of American history that corrects the record and showcases the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans.

America’s backstory is a whitewashed mythology implanted in our collective memory. It is the story of the pilgrims on the Mayflower building a new nation. It is George Washington’s cherry tree and Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin. It is the fantastic tale of slaves that spontaneously teleported themselves here with nothing but strong backs and negro spirituals. It is a sugarcoated legend based on an almost true story.

It should come as no surprise that the dominant narrative of American history is blighted with errors and oversights—after all, history books were written by white men with their perspectives at the forefront. It could even be said that the devaluation and erasure of the Black experience is as American as apple pie.

In Black AF History, Michael Harriot presents a more accurate version of American history. Combining unapologetically provocative storytelling with meticulous research based on primary sources as well as the work of pioneering Black historians, scholars, and journalists, Harriot removes the white sugarcoating from the American story, placing Black people squarely at the center. With incisive wit, Harriot speaks hilarious truth to oppressive power, subverting conventional historical narratives with little-known stories about the experiences of Black Americans. From the African Americans who arrived before 1619 to the unenslavable bandit who inspired America’s first police force, this long overdue corrective provides a revealing look into our past that is as urgent as it is necessary. For too long, we have refused to acknowledge that Americanhistory is white history. Not this one. This history is Black AF.

BUY THE BOOK AT AMAZON

Congressional Black Caucus Issues Statement on Florida's Guidelines for Black History

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement regarding the Florida State Board of Education’s new standards for Black history curriculum:

“The Congressional Black Caucus condemns in the strongest language any school curriculum that would suggest that enslaved Africans benefited in any way from slavery. This revisionist telling of American history approved by the Florida State Board of Education is a shameful disservice to Florida’s students and tantamount to gaslighting of the highest order.

“The Florida Board of Education’s attempt to minimize the darkest chapter in our nation's history is an affront to the intelligence of the American people and an overt attempt to maintain white supremacy. The CBC is calling for the Florida State Board of Education to immediately reverse its decision and put an end to the attacks on Black history in the state.

“The CBC will continue to push for the passage of the Black History is American History Act reintroduced by Rep. Joyce Beatty to incentivize schools and educators to teach Black history in the classroom.”

https://www.africanamericanreports.com/2023/07/congressional-black-caucus-issues_25.html

Ames airport to be renamed in honor of African American flight pioneer

IOWA-The city of Ames is hosting a dedication ceremony Saturday for the renaming of its airport. Spokesperson, Susan Gwiasda says the airport is being named in honor of African-American flight pioneer James Herman Banning.

“James Herman Banning was a resident of Ames from 1919 to about 1928. He ended up becoming the first pilot to receive his pilot’s license from the U.S. Department of Commerce,” she says. Gwiasda says it was not an easy route for Denning. “He was denied flight instruction, several different places he tried to receive flight instruction in central Iowa,” Gwiasda says, “but eventually found a flight teacher and went on to become the first African American pilot to fly across the United States.”

Banning attended Iowa State University for one year and named a plane he flew “Miss Ames.” The dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 17th.

[SOURCE: RADIOIOWA]

Fort Polk renamed Fort Johnson to honor African American WWI hero

As part of the national campaign to change the names of U.S. Army installations to cut ties with Confederate figures in America, Louisiana’s Fort Polk was redesignated to Fort Johnson Tuesday morning.

The campaign includes renaming nine U.S. Army bases, including North Carolina’s Fort Bragg changed to Fort Liberty, Texas’ Fort Hood changed to Fort Cavazos and Georgia’s Fort Benning changed to Fort Moore, among other changes.

Fort Polk was originally named after Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk, a Confederate commander.

Now, the Fort Johnson base is honored for Sgt. William Henry Johnson, an African American World War I Medal of Honor recipient who served in the all-Black 369th U.S Infantry Regiment.

“Sgt. William Henry Johnson embodied the warrior spirit, and we are deeply honored to bear his name at the Home of Heroes,” said Brig. Gen. David W. Gardner, commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, in the press release.

The North Carolina native served one tour of duty on the western edge of the Argonne Forest in France’s Champagne region from 1918-1919, and became one of the first Americans to be awarded France’s highest award for valor, the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, former President Theodore Roosevelt called Johnson one of the five bravest Americans to serve in World War I.

After his death in July 1929, Johnson was awarded the Purple Heart in 1996, the Distinguished Service Cross in 2003, and most recently, the Medal of Honor in 2015.

More names are expected to be changed through the renaming campaign, including Georgia’s Fort Gordon changed to Fort Eisenhower to commemorate Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Virginia’s Fort A.P. Hill will be changed to honor Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.

[SOURCE: UPI]

New Museum Will Further Tell the Powerful Stories of the Negro Leagues Baseball Players

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) announced it has been awarded a $1 million grant from Bank of America in support of the museum’s $25 million capital campaign to build a new 30,000 square-foot facility. This funding will enable the NLBM to provide the latest state of the art technology that will be used to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity through the lens of America’s unsung baseball heroes who overcame tremendous social adversity to play baseball.  The announcement was made at the NLBM with bank and museum officials alongside Congressman Emanuel Cleaver; Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas; Frank White, Jr., Jackson County Executive; Kathy Nelson, President & CEO, Kansas City Sports Commission and John Sherman, Chairman & CEO Kansas City Royals.

To coincide with the bank’s commitment of the new museum, Major League Baseball alumni players David DeJesus, Rajai Davis, and Dexter Fowler will take part in a Bank of America “Play It Forward” baseball clinic on Saturday, May 6 for 50 area youth from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. The Clinic coincides with the celebration of the winning spirit of the Kansas City Monarchs and is held on the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game with the team.

The new state of the art facility will be built adjacent to the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center (BOERC) which will now be housed in the former Paseo YMCA. That historic building is where Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro Leagues in 1920. With help from the anchor grant, the new NLBM, in combination with the BOERC, will create a “Negro Leagues Campus” that will become the gateway into Kansas City’s famed Historic 18th & Vine District. This will be a catalyst for economic growth in a vastly underserved, predominantly African American community.

The bank’s support will allow the NLBM to expand programming, create dynamic interactive displays, house a gallery to showcase new exhibitions, feature a larger gift shop, and include a more expansive archival and storage space.

“Thanks to the generosity and continued support of Bank of America, the future of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum begins today,” said Bob Kendrick, museum president. “Our growth from a one-room office to becoming America’s National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has been an amazing journey. Now, we’re building an organization that will continue to preserve and celebrate the triumphant story of the Negro Leagues but also fortify our position as one of the nation’s most important civil rights and social justice institutions,” Kendrick said.

The grant is part of Bank of America’s overall commitment to strengthening the Kansas City community by addressing key issues fundamental to economic opportunity and social progress. It also builds on Bank of America’s efforts to advance racial equality and opportunity for communities of color. The new facility will integrate a blend of technology and nostalgia to create an immersive culturally enriched experience that enlightens students and adults about a precious piece of baseball and Americana that has been excluded from the pages of American history books.

“We share NLBM’s mission to preserve and celebrate the rich history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America,” said Matt Linski, president, Bank of America Kansas City. “Our commitment recognizes the importance – culturally and economically – of the 18th & Vine District to Kansas City today and we hope it will be an example for other funders to follow. Additionally, this grant is paramount to ensuring greater understanding and better appreciation of the many contributions African Americans have made and continue to make, including Jackie Robinson breaking the Major League color barrier.”

This announcement is the latest in a series of investments that Bank of America has made in the Kansas City community. Bank of America has invested more than $13 million in grants and sponsorships since 2020 as well as capital investments to help small businesses, affordable housing, and other economic revitalization projects benefiting communities throughout Kansas City.

Bank of America’s relationship with the NLBM dates back to the 1980s with bank leaders having served on the original 18th & Vine Authority Board that established the district. Bank of America funded the exhibition Discovering Greatness that traveled to all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) campuses to reach young African Americans who might otherwise have been unaware of their Negro Leagues heritage. In 2008, the museum presented Bank of America the prestigious Buck O’Neil Legacy Award. In 2019, the museum was selected for Neighborhood Builders®, Bank of America’s signature philanthropic program and received $2000,000 grant for operational funding and leadership training.   President Bob Kendrick has provided thought leadership at numerous Bank of America events including Courageous Conversations over the past three years and at the recent opening of the Barrier Breakers exhibition at Dodger Stadium. The NLBM has been part of the bank’s Museums on Us® program for many years.

For more information, please visit: www.nlbm.com/pitchforthefuture

NAACP Issues Travel Advisory in Florida

The NAACP Board of Directors issued a formal travel advisory for the state of Florida. The travel advisory comes in direct response to Governor Ron DeSantis' aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools.

The formal travel notice states, "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."

"Let me be clear - failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation."

The travel advisory was initially proposed to the Board of Directors by NAACP's Florida State Conference. NAACP's collective consideration of this advisory is a result from unrelenting attacks on fundamental freedoms from the Governor and his legislative body.

"Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority," said Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors, Leon Russell. "We will not not allow our rights and history to be held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy."

Following Gov. DeSantis' so-called leadership in driving the state to reject students' access to AP African American studies course in March, the NAACP distributed 10,000 books to 25 predominantly Black communities across the state in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers's Reading Opens the World program. The majority of the books donated were titles banned under the state's increasingly restrictive laws. The NAACP continues to encourage local branches and youth councils to start community libraries to ensure access to representative literature.

The NAACP encourages Florida residents to join this effort to defeat the regressive policies of this Governor and this state legislature. Interested residents and supporters can visit www.naacp.org for additional information and updates.

NEW READ: The Almost Forgotten: America's First Black American Congressmen Paperback by Darryl J. Brackeen Jr.

The Almost Forgotten: America's First Black American Congressmen Paperback by Darryl J. Brackeen Jr.

The first Black American congressmen highlighted in this book have gone unnamed, unnoticed, and unrecognized due to the short-lived nature of the Reconstruction Era. For a moment after the civil war, Black political power was displayed by the significant voting efforts of African American men through the nominations and elections of Black men to elected office and leadership roles.

Historian, educator, theologian, and political practitioner Darryl Brackeen Jr pens his debut book, "The Almost Forgotten: America's First Black American Congressmen." This series of biographies of formerly enslaved men and free Black Americans who overcame one of the worst periods in American history to become highly respected educators, religious leaders, and business owners during the Reconstruction era. These individuals rose up to get involved in building political efforts for the Black community, despite the violent opposition of the Klu Klux Klan and former Confederate leaders. While this moment in American history is short-lived for Black Americans and many of the individuals in this book are the leaders to run for the United States Congress. Most were "almost forgotten" because many of them ended up in poverty or living in obscurity. Many of their stories have gone untold and under-recognized for generations, and now Brackeen will offer an opportunity to reintroduce some of the brave Black political leaders in American history.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK ON AMAZON

One of first African-American Marines celebrates 100th birthday

Lee Newby Jr. of Detroit, one of the first African-American Marines, was honored by state lawmakers during a celebration of his 100th birthday on Saturday.

The ceremony at the Detroit Marriott in the Renaissance Center was hosted by State Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, and Joe Tate of Detroit, who became the first African-American elected Michigan's speaker of the House in November 2022.

Tate, a former National Football League player and Michigan State University offensive lineman, also served in the Marines.

“I can’t thank Mr. Newby enough for his service to our country. He is a true hero and trailblazer,” Tate said in a statement. “As a veteran of the Marine Corps myself, I am aware of the responsibilities he has carried and the sacrifices he has endured."

Newby, who resides in McKinney's district in Detroit, served during World War II. The first African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942.

“This ceremony not only celebrates the life of a brave serviceman, but also truly honors Black Marines, their dedication through World War II and all their service to this country,” McKinney said in a statement.

[SOURCE: DETROIT NEWS]

Congressman Kweisi Mfume Introduces Legislation to Commemorate African American World War II Hero Doris Miller

Today, Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) announced the introduction of a pair of bills to commemorate the life and legacy of African American Mess Attendant Doris ‘Dorie’ Miller. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mess Attendant Miller manned an anti-aircraft gun and downed enemy planes, despite the fact that the racially segregated steward’s branch of the Navy was not trained to use anti-aircraft guns. Congressman Mfume’s bills seek to award the Medal of Honor and a Congressional Gold Medal to Mess Attendant Miller.

“Today is ‘Dorie Miller Day’ on Capitol Hill. Dorie Miller protected America, and we are all the beneficiaries of his bravery. His valiance is even more admirable because he courageously worked to save a democracy that he could not fully enjoy at that time, as the United States military did not become fully integrated until almost seven years after his heroism in World War II,” said Congressman Mfume. “I am honored to continue the work of my friend, former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who had fought to give Mess Attendant Miller’s legacy the celebration of the Medal of Honor since 2001. And with my dual-tracked legislative effort to award both the Medal of Honor and a Congressional Gold Medal, Dorie Miller will finally be recognized with an American salute that is long overdue,” he concluded.  

The Life of Doris ‘Dorie’ Miller

Background

• Born in Waco, Texas on October 12, 1919.

• Son of Connery and Henrietta Miller.

• Dropped out of school to support the family farm, worked part-time as a cook in a small restaurant in Waco.

Military Career 

• Enlisted in the United States Navy in September of 1939.

• After bootcamp training, was assigned to the USS West Virginia as a messman.

• Quickly moved up in the ranks from messman to ship’s cook, third class, and was stationed at Pearl Harbor.

• Black sailors serving in the racially segregated steward’s branch of the Navy were not trained to use anti-aircraft guns.

• On December 7, 1941, Doris Miller was doing laundry at around 8:00 a.m. when a Japanese torpedo hit his ship, anchored in Pearl Harbor.

• He rushed to the main deck to help move his mortally wounded captain out of harm’s way and attend to other wounded sailors.

• He then manned a 0.50-calibre anti-aircraft gun and fired at the attacking planes.

• According to news stories and other sailors’ accounts, Doris Miller downed 2 to 5 enemy planes before he was forced to abandon ship.

National Awards and the Medal of Honor 

• Doris Miller was awarded a commendation from the Secretary of the Navy as well as the Navy Cross on May 27, 1942, in a ceremony at Pearl Harbor.

• The Navy recently commissioned an aircraft carrier to be named after Doris Miller, and the town of Waco, Texas recently unveiled a riverside memorial.

• Doris Miller has yet to receive the Navy’s highest award, the Medal of Honor.

  • Mr. Miller’s family and friends have fought for decades to convince the Navy to award Doris Miller with the Medal of Honor posthumously.

  • More than 15 cities have expressed support, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution endorsing the effort in 2001.

  • Congress has introduced a resolution in support of the Navy awarding Doris Miller the Medal of Honor every year since 2015.

  • Decisions on military honors are typically reserved for the military, and the Navy has not yet decided to change course on Doris Miller’s status.

Medal of Honor Bill – Doris Miller

• This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States Armed Forces, to Mess Attendant Doris 'Dorie' Miller.

• Former Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson had fought to give Mess Attendant Miller’s legacy this recognition since 2001.

• This legislation is endorsed by the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETs) and the Dorie Miller Medal of Honor Committee. 

Congressional Gold Medal Bill – Doris Miller

• The second bill of this dual-tracked legislative effort to federally recognize Doris Miller awards him posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States.

• If approved by Congress, Doris Miller’s family would receive the medal and it would be displayed at the Smithsonian Museum. 

Black author writes horror story about sellouts in the African American Community

George L. Cook III has written a kindle vella horror story titled SELLOUT, A Ghost Story about a Black person who has no qualms about making money by talking bad or degrading his "own" people. The story focuses on a character named Richard English, who is a political pundit who appears on TV and radio talk shows and always puts Black people in a negative light. Although a horror story the story features a Black History twist.

African American Reports had a few questions for the author:

AAREPORTS: What was the inspiration for writing SELLOUT?

George Cook: As you kknow there has been a lot of focus on race here in America with Tyre Nichols and the made up CRT contoversy, as well as other issues. It was something I heard a talking head on TV say about the death of Tyre Nichols and the police chief of Baltimore being like a single mother not able to control her sons that inspired me to write the SELLOUT. What that talking head said really pissed me off.

AAREPORTS: Would you like to name that talking head?

George Cook: No, but I'll just say he is someone who hasn't missed afew meals in a while.

AAREPORTS: What made you go the horror route with this story?

George Cook: That's the genre I'm most comfortable writing it in.

AAREPORTS: I know you can't give away any of the story but how did you get Black History into the story?

George Cook: I wrote the story during Black History Month and that actually gave me the basis for the story and what the narrative would be. I was able to slip in about four to five Black history facts for the reader, but only if they are are paying attention.

AAREPORTS: We loved that endind, does that mean a certain ghost will be back?

George Cook: I really don't know but I don't think so. I think the way the story ended maked the intended point and there's no reason to go there again.

AAREPORTS: First tell us what is a Kindle Vella story and then why you released SELLOUT that way as opposed to releasing it as a short story?

To put it simply Kindle Vella was something new that allows an author to release a story in small episodes of which the first three are free to the reader. To read the final episode a reader will need tokens to read but Amazon will give someone new to Kindle Vella 200 tokens free and part 4 will only cost you 11 tokens. You also don't need any special app, you can immediately read the story on your phone, tablet, or CPU just by clicking a link to the story.

I really like writing in an eposodic format and it's fun to leave cliffhangers or have a reader waiting until the next episode to see what happens next. I released SELLOUT using the Netflix model of releasing the entire 4 episode story at once so you can finish the story on one shot.

AAREPORTS: Where can Readers get SELLOUT?

George Cook: On Amazon by using this link:

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BTXMRZXW

AAREPORTS: Thank you for this interview, and is there any thing you would like to say in closing?

George Cook: Thank you for having me and i would just like to ask readers to support SELLOUT and please read that last episode. Good wishes to all.

As Black History Month Begins, Booker, Bowman Reintroduce African American History Act

 U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). and U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16) reintroduced the African American History Act. This legislation provides important resources to help educate the American public about the richness and complexity of African American history and the impacts of racism, white supremacy, and the struggle for justice on the fabric of America.  

Black Americans and those of the African Diaspora have made countless contributions since the founding of the United States. Unfortunately, throughout history, there have been attempts to purposefully revise or remove African American history within our school curriculums. As recent as this year, those attempts are still being pursued after news of the state of Florida attempting to ban an AP course on African American studies.

“The story of Black people in America is inextricably linked to the story of America. The fullness of this rich history must be told -- both its dark chapters and the light brought by generations of people determined to overcome and make our country better through an ongoing quest for justice,” said Senator Booker. “We have seen this happen far too many times throughout history – where some dismiss our important stories and intentionally change the way history is told to fit political agendas. As we begin Black History Month, I am proud to reintroduce this legislation that will invest in initiatives to make African American history education programs more accessible to the public, help educators incorporate these programs into their curriculum, and develop additional resources focused on Black History for students and families to engage with.”

“It is our moral imperative to tell the truth about our past to finally reconcile with this nation’s history of racism and white nationalism, and our legislation will serve as a vital component in our fight to do just that,” said Representative Jamaal Bowman Ed.D (NY-16). “The truth is under attack by white supremacists attempting to ban Black history at all levels of education, but we know that a democracy cannot exist without access to truth. As a Black man and an educator, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for this nation to collectively commit to learning from our past. Senator Booker’sand my legislation invests $10 million over 5 years to support African American history education programs that will be available for students, parents, and teachers. The moment we are in requires a clear-eyed effort to ensure that everyone has access to resources and education that accurately recount African American history – including how the Black struggle for freedom has strengthened our society for all Americans, and brought us closer to realizing the potential of our democracy.”

Booker and Bowman’s legislation invests $10 million over 5 years in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to support African American history education programs that are voluntarily available for students, parents, and educators. 

This bill will help the NMAAHC expand and improve upon their work in a variety of ways, including:

• Developing and maintaining a variety of accessible resources to promote an understanding of African American history. This includes a collection of digital content, housed on the NMAAHC website, to assist educators, students, and families across the country in teaching about and engaging with African American history
• Engaging with the public through programming, resources, and social media to increase awareness of African American history through a social justice and anti-bias lens
• Convening experts and creating and disseminating scholarly work
• Translating new and existing NMAAHC work into multiple languages

Further, the bill supports the NMAAHC’s work to increase national capacity for African American history education, including:

• Developing and disseminating high-quality pedagogy related to teaching African American history
• Providing opportunities for Professional Development for early childhood, elementary, and secondary teachers
• Designing and implementing a teacher fellowship program
• Engaging with local and state leaders interested in incorporating these resources in curricula

The Original Co-sponsors of this legislation in the Senate include Senators: Menendez (D-NJ), Feinstein (D-CA), Padilla (D-CA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Murphy (D-CT), Van Hollen (D-MD), Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT), and Brown (D-OH).

The full text of the legislation can be viewed here.

For a section-by-section on the legislation, click here.

United States Mint Begins Shipping 2023 American Women Quarters™ Program Coins Honoring Bessie Coleman January 3

The United States Mint (Mint) began shipping the first coin in the 2023 American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program.  The Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver manufacture these circulating quarters honoring Bessie Coleman.

Bessie Coleman was a pilot, advocate, and pioneer who flew to great heights as the first African American and first Native American woman pilot, as well as the first African American to earn an international pilot’s license.  Her determination and strong will continue to inspire today.

“The first coin of the 2023 American Women’s Quarters™ Program honors the life and legacy of Bessie Coleman,” said Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson.  “The woman known as “Brave Bessie” defied the odds and became an aviator.  Her tenacious drive and fearless personality helped pave the way for future generations.”

The reverse (tails) depicts Bessie Coleman as she suits up in preparation for flight.  Her expression is reflective of her determination to take to the skies, the only place she experienced a freedom she did not have on the ground.  The inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “BESSIE COLEMAN,” and “6.15.1921,” the date Coleman received her pilot’s license.  The reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Chris Costello and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Eric David Custer.

“As I researched Bessie Coleman’s life, I discovered that the existing photographs and illustrations of her were posed and very familiar,” said Costello.  “I challenged myself to create an original, never-before-seen portrait that was not based on any known photo. My wife and young daughter, who are of African and Native American heritage, modeled for my drawing that depicts her in a more active posture—readying her goggles as she takes to the skies.  In the background, her Curtiss “Jenny” biplane is seen soaring through the clouds.”

Costello further provides a deeper insight of the image of Bessie Coleman.

“This new portrait of Bessie Coleman depicts her fierce determination and unyielding resolve to become a licensed pilot during a time of stiff opposition to ambitious women of color,” said Costello.

The obverse (heads) depicts a portrait of George Washington originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser to mark George Washington’s 200th birthday.  Though her work was a recommended design for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flanagan design.  Of Fraser, Director Gibson said, “I am proud that the new obverse design of George Washington is by one of the most prolific women sculptors of the early 20th century.  Laura Gardin Fraser’s work is lauded in both numismatic and artistic circles.  Ninety years after she intended for it to do so, her obverse design has fittingly taken its place on the quarter.”

Obverse inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2023.”  The design is common to all quarters issued in the series. 

Coins featuring additional honorees will also ship in 2023 through 2025.

View images of the Bessie Coleman quarter here.

Each 2023 AWQ honoree is a powerful, inspiring example of the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated through this historic coin program.

In addition to Bessie Coleman, the four women who will be honored in 2023 are:  

• Jovita Idar – a Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher, and suffragist.  She devoted her life to fighting against separatist ideologies and sought to create a better future for Mexican-Americans. 
• Edith Kanakaʻole – an indigenous Hawaiian composer, chanter, dancer, teacher, and entertainer.  Her moʻolelo, or stories, served to rescue aspects of Hawaiian history, customs, and traditions that were disappearing due to the cultural bigotry of the time.
• Eleanor Roosevelt – first lady, author, reformer, and leader.  As chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, where she oversaw the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and as the chair of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, she advocated diligently for the civil liberties and needs of the poor, minorities, and the disadvantaged. 
• Maria Tallchief – America’s first prima ballerina, broke barriers as a Native American ballerina who exhibited strength and resilience both on and off the stage.  

The range of accomplishments and experiences of these extraordinary women speaks to the contributions women have always made in the history of our country.  Coleman was a trailblazing pilot who paved the way for many.  Idar and Roosevelt were social justice advocates who were both ahead of their time with their ideas and ideals, and  Kanakaʻole and Tallchief spoke up for and represented indigenous women in their respective cultures.

Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program features coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of American women.  Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the Mint is issuing five quarters in each of these years.  The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts.  

Please consult with your local banks regarding the availability of AWQ Program quarters honoring Bessie Coleman in late January and early February.

Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen by George McCalman

A gorgeous collection of 145 original portraits that celebrates Black pioneers—famous and little-known--in politics, science, literature, music, and more—with biographical reflections, all created and curated by an award-winning graphic designer.

Illustrated Black History is a breathtaking collection of original portraits depicting black heroes—both famous and unsung—who made their mark on activism, science, politics, business, medicine, technology, food, arts, entertainment, and more. Each entry includes a lush drawing or painting by artist George McCalman, along with an insightful essay summarizing the person’s life story.

The 145 entries range from the famous to the little-known, from literary luminary James Baldwin to documentarian Madeline Anderson, who produced “I Am Somebody” about the 1969 strike of mostly female hospital workers; from Aretha Franklin to James and Eloyce Gist, who had a traveling ministry in the early 1900s; from Colin Kaepernick to Guion S. Bluford, the first Black person to travel into space.

Beautifully designed with over 300 unique four-color artworks and accessible to readers of all ages, this eye-opening, educational, dynamic, and timely compendium pays homage to Black Americans and their achievements, and showcases the depth and breadth of Black genius.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK ON AMAZON