“THE UNHEARD OF HISTORY”
Music
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.” - Bob Marley
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner truth formerly known as Isabelle Baumfree was an African American abolitionist, women’s activist, evangelist. Sojourner became the first black person to win a court case against white people in 1828. When Sojourner was emancipated in about 1827, she began to take on her spiritual calling. With her inspiration, she created the famous “Ain’t I A woman?” speech. Sojourner is a testament of resiliency, faith and hope.
Mansa Musa
Mansa Musa was the ruler of the kingdom of Mali between 1312 – 1337. Mansa Musa, during his reign is said to be the richest man who ever lived. Most of Mali’s wealth came from the mining industry at the time which culminated a lot of salt and gold. Mansa travelled during his reign and in fact broke the overall value of gold because he was very caring and giving to people in need. Mansa is known for creating schools and libraries in Timbuktu, Mali.
Viola Desmond
Viola Desmond who was born on July 6, 1914 is one of the most influential historical figures in Canada. Viola, a mixed race women one night went to her local movie theatre where she encountered segregated seating rules. She was told to move to another seat but refused to comply. Eventually, she was arrested and then charged. Desmond’s act to fight against racial discrimination has inspired many Black persons to stand up and act. In December 2016, the Bank of Canada announced that Viola Desmond would be the first Canadian woman to be featured by herself on the face of a banknote. She is on the $10 dollar bill.
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Moziah Garvey was born on August 17, 1887 in St. Anne’s Bay Jamaica. Marcus experienced racism in grade school and that event drew his passion towards activism. After receiving schooling in London, Marcus returned home where he would create an organization called the “Universal Negro Improvement Association”. This organization was dedicated to racial pride, economic self-sufficiency and formation of an independent nation in Africa. The effects of this organization provided many with a sense of community. The ability to network, advance and support one another.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks formerly known as Rosa Louise McCauley was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Rosa was an American activist in the Civil rights movement. On December 1, 1955, Rosa decided she would refuse to give up her seat to a white passenger because she was simply tired of giving in. Rosa was arrested for this act and bailed out later that day. However, Rose didn’t know the life lasting impact that she was going to make. The Montgomery Bus Boycott eventually led to the end of racial segregation of public facilities.
Malcolm X
Malcolm X was an African American leader in the civil rights movement, minister and supporter of black nationalism. He urged his fellow black Americans to protect themselves against white aggression “by any means necessary. Malcolm X , original name Malcolm Little, Muslim name el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, (born May 19, 1925, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. —died February 21, 1965, New York, New York ). He was a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam who articulated concepts of race pride and black nationalism in the early 1960s.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman born Araminta Ross was a slave before escaping to freedom in the north in 1849. She became to the most fanous “conductor” on the underground railroad. . Tubman risked her life to lead hundreds of family members and other slaves from the plantation system to freedom on this elaborate secret network of safe houses. Tubman died of pneumonia on March 10, 1913, surrounded by friends and family, at around the age of 93. Tubman became an American icon in the years after she died. A survey at the end of the 20th century named her as one of the most famous civilians in American history.
Steve Biko
Bantu Stephen Biko was born on December 18, 1946, in King William's Town, South Africa, in what is now the Eastern Cape province. Steve Biko. Steve was an anti-apartheid activist and the co-founder of the South African Students' Organization, subsequently spearheading the nation's Black Consciousness Movement. Biko became SASO's president in 1969. Three years later, in 1972, he was expelled from the University of Natal due to his political activism. This group would become the central organization for the BCM, which continued to gain traction throughout the nation during the 1970s.
Maya Angelou
Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou had a difficult childhood. As an African American, Angelou experienced firsthand racial prejudices and discrimination in Arkansas. Maya Angelou was an American author, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet and civil rights activist best known for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American woman. Angelou received several honors throughout her career, including two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding literary work (nonfiction) category, in 2005 and 2009.
Bob Marley
Born on February 6, 1945, in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, Marley helped introduce reggae music to the world and remains one of the genre's most beloved artists to this day. In 1963, Bob Marley and his friends formed the Wailing Wailers. The Wailers' big break came in 1972 when they landed a contract with Island Records. Marley went on to sell more than 20 million records throughout his career, making him the first international superstar to emerge from the so-called Third World.