The 365 Black History serious is designed to give our community a chance to learn and appreciate the achievement, struggles and experience of our ancestors, inventors, business people, scientific, educators, children and more.

On May 15th in Black History

1820 – US Congress declares foreign slave trade an act of piracy punishable by death.

Seems like a bit of an oxymoron considering America had been practicing slavery for 100s of years at this point and for decades to follow, but they were going to impose death on someone else infringing on their business.

Classic American hypocrisy.

1918 – Battle of Henry Johnson

During World War I African American solider was ambushed taken prisoner in France by German soliders. He single-handedly managed to kill four soldiers and rescued twenty others and rescue a fellow solider.

For his bravery he was awarded France’s highest military honor, the Croix de Guerre making him the first enlisted American soldier to win the medal.

He was posthumously awarded a Puple Heart on July 25th, 1996 and the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery on March 19, 2002. (Source: BlackHistoryDaily)

1946 – Camillia Williams signs first contract with a Major American opera company.

Becoming the first African American woman to sign a major opera contract, Camillia Williams appears in the title role of Madama Butterfly with the New York City Opera. Her grace, elegance and talent opened the door for many to follow and continue to set the trail ablaze with Black talent.

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Our history has a long, glorious and bright light that has shown since the dawn of time. However, it has long been hidden from us as if we were blind.

Now is the time to come together and consciously grow our understanding of our ancestors, culture, history and place in this world. The only way we can do this tie the knot of our past with our present to create the future we all desire.