When discussing ancient Africa, many narrations start and often stop with Egypt, leaving the rest of the continent in the shadows. However, long before the Renaissance, civilizations like Nubia, Kush, and Axum were shaping the world politically, economically, and spiritually. This blog post shines a light on these incredible cultures that have been overlooked in the broader history.

The fight for democracy is ongoing, and the stakes have never been higher. As we reflect on the legacies of Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, it is crucial to recognize the broader implications of their actions. Marshall envisioned inclusivity and empowerment, while Thomas’s decisions often reflect a retreat from those ideals.

Henry Ossawa Tanner’s life is a story of quiet rebellion expressed through art. Born in Pittsburgh in 1859 to Reverend Benjamin Tanner and Sarah Tanner, an escaped slave who found freedom through the Underground Railroad, Henry's childhood was infused with values of faith, resilience, and perseverance. Although his father sought to steer him towards the ministry, Tanner was drawn to a different calling: the world of art.

The struggle over what is taught in schools often reflects deeper societal conflicts about power, identity, and control. From the anti-literacy laws of the 1800s, which aimed to keep enslaved Black people from reading to today's debates over Critical Race Theory (CRT) and book bans, the fight for knowledge has always been connected to the fight for freedom.

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has recently made headlines with its response to the Charlie Kirk resolution.

Public memory isn’t just about what we remember; it’s also about what we’re told to forget. Right now, in America, government officials are quietly removing critical evidence of slavery, racial violence, and resistance from our parks and classrooms. This leads to a future where justice is disconnected from truth, and “patriotism” is used to excuse this erasure.

Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21-year-old student, was found hanging on the campus of Delta State University, a devastating event that has sent shockwaves through his community. In the immediate aftermath, officials announced, “no foul play suspected.”

Kentucky's prison system has transformed into a powerhouse of economic activity, generating billions from the labor of incarcerated individuals. This troubling trend echoes the history of convict leasing, which arose after the Civil War and represents a dark chapter in which the freedom of Black people was taken, repackaged, and exploited for profit.

Alberta Jones was a true pioneer whose story deserves recognition and celebration. In 1959, she achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first Black lawyer to pass the Kentucky bar exam. At a time when segregation was deeply rooted in society and the legal system, Alberta opened her own law practice.

Most U.S. history textbooks present a sanitized, simplified version of the past, one that often glosses over or outright erases the voices of ordinary people. Instead of telling the full story of struggle, resistance, and resilience, these narratives tend to focus on political leaders, wars, and economic milestones, while leaving out the stories that truly shape our society.

The War on Drugs is often presented as a necessary measure for public safety. However, its legacy uncovers a troubling reality. What began as a campaign against drug use has morphed into a war on communities, particularly those of Black and Brown individuals.

In 2025, the Pentagon shocked the nation by announcing it would restore a massive portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to the West Point library. This nearly 20-foot tall portrait shows Lee on horseback, with a Black enslaved man holding the reins.

Recently, Jillian Michaels stirred significant debate with her remarks about white supremacy and her troubling claim regarding what she calls "Black degeneracy." Although she claims to convey honesty, her words reflect a long-standing harmful narrative that shifts blame from systemic oppression to the very people facing it.

Florida’s history with slavery doesn’t show up in the curriculum the way Georgia, Alabama, or Mississippi’s does and that’s not an accident. Florida was a place of contradictions: where freedom was promised to the desperate, and where that freedom was violently revoked once the United States claimed the land.

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill, is frequently celebrated as a game-changer in American history. By providing returning World War II veterans with key benefits such as higher education, low-interest home loans, and job training, it played a vital role in expanding the American middle class. Yet, this promise was not shared equally among all veterans. Black veterans faced significant barriers that denied them the full benefits of the GI

Washington, D.C. has been a centerpiece of federal intervention for many years, often seen as a necessary measure in times of crisis. However, the stories surrounding these interventions are far more complex than they might seem at first.

In December 2023, a monument notorious for its offensive imagery was removed from Arlington National Cemetery. This 32-foot bronze statue, laden with Lost Cause symbolism, depicted smiling enslaved individuals and celebrated Confederate heroes, all while suggesting the South fought nobly for freedom through a Latin inscription.

The story of the Civil War is often presented as a simple conflict between freedom and oppression. While it is undeniable that the war aimed to end the horrific practice of slavery, it is crucial to recognize a significant truth: the conflict did not provide reparations to the descendants of enslaved individuals.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. has devoted his life to shining a light on the vast and often overlooked narratives of Black history. His...

In recent years, calls for justice from Black communities across the United States have intensified. Each demand for accountability and systemic change reveals a familiar set of deflections. Phrases like “What about Chicago?” or “What about Black-on-Black crime?” frequently pop up in discussions, often derailing crucial conversations about race, justice, and reparations.