Bravo for Blacks!

Africa is the second largest continent, only after Asia, and humankind started in Africa. Africans were some of the earliest arrivers to America, and they have helped shape and advance the United States from the beginning. Explore the following activities to appreciate what Africans and African Americans have contributed over the centuries.

CONNECT:

• Significant African kingdoms have existed since thousands of years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akca0mUW2K0
• Connect with these African-American heroes at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/african-american-heroes/
• Children’s books celebrate African Americans; watch interviews with some of those books’ authors at www.readingrockets.org/calendar/blackhistory
• Over 600 locations share the legacy of the Underground Railroad to freedom. Explore the National Park Service’s program at https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1205/index.htm
• Noted Black scientist Dr. George Washington Carver developed more than 300 new uses for peanuts, which helped save the economy of the South. Look at the amazing list at https://www.tuskegee.edu/support-tu/george-washington-carver/carver-peanut-products

CREATE:

• Try 10 fun ways to cultivate greater appreciation of African-American history: https://www2.ed.gov/free/features/african-american-history.html
• Take it slow or take it fast: hip hop kids’ songs to dance to at last: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oRh2yPDzpg or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20O8_XXiWFY
• African cuisine reflects a wide variety of regions, each with its own blend of foods and their preparation. Experiment African cooking for kids at  https://www.leaf.tv/articles/african-cooking-for-kids/
• Staying at home? You can have fun playing these traditional African children’s games: https://pemburytours.com/traditional-african-childrens-games/

CARE:

• Watch some quick tips for African American and multiracial children’s hair care at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS0xuBClSPY
• Get involved with these nonprofits dedicated to empowering young brown girls: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/7-nonprofits-dedicated-empowering-young-brown-girls-n742776
• AND the National Youth Alliance for Boys & Men of Color creates leadership opportunities: https://fcyo.org/programs/national-youth-alliance-for-boys-and-men-of-color
• UNICEF offers age-appropriate ways to talk with your kids about racism: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism

CAREERS:

Society benefits when careers are inclusive and encourage diversity. Blacks have been discriminated for centuries in the job market and work place, even though they have so much experience and insights that society needs. Here is just a sample of Black STEM innovators: https://www.idtech.com/blog/black-stem-innovators-who-defined-modern-world

Career networking is important for everyone, so these are a few groups that support careers for African Americans.

Black Professionals Network: https://mybpn.org/

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals: https://www.obap.org/

Black Caucus (inc.) American Library Association: https://www.bcala.org/

National Alliance of Black School Educators: https://www.nabse.org/

National Association of Black Journalists: https://www.nabj.org/