Blac Velvet

gahdamnpunk:

THIS is why representation is important

askhistorians:

Two African American soldiers talking to a representative of the American Red Cross Home Service. The American Red Cross Home Service gave comfort and reassurance to American soldiers who were anxious about the welfare of their families at home. According to the original caption, one of these men said his wife was not getting her allotment from the government. September 1918.

(US National Archives)

universitybookstore:

Roy DeCarava (December 9, 1919 – October 27, 2009) was an African American artist and photographer whose career spanned decades.  His portraits of contemporary jazz performers are some of the most iconic images of his era.

chancecalloway:

“When you tell a story about a child, you tell a story about trust and love and hope. When you tell a story about a child, you tell a story about what tomorrow can be. When you tell a story about a child, you tell a story about all of us. We’d like to tell you a story about a child…”

Polly (1989), directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen

starring Keisha Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad, Brandon Quinton Adams, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Dorian Harewood

GIFs from the film’s original musical performances:
1. “By Your Side” - Polly (Keisha Knight Pulliam) arrives in the small town of Harrington to live with her rich and solemn aunt
2. “Honey Ain’t Got Nothin’ On You” - Nancy (Vanessa Bell Calloway) takes Polly shopping for new dresses and Polly introduces them to the “boppity boppity bop” aka Detroit music.
3. “Doxology: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” - the choir at Polly’s new church is more choral than joyful
4. “Sweet Little Angel Eyes” - Jimmy Bean (Brandon Quinton Adams) has joy in his heart after a joyless church service
5. “Sweet Little Angel Eyes” - Polly meets her match in Jimmy Bean
6. “Something More” - Polly’s Aunt Polly (Phylicia Rashad) muses over the arrival of her past love
7. “Shine A Light” - Dr. Shannon (Dorian Harewood), George (T. K. Carter) and Mayor Warren (Ken Page) think of ways to improve the state of society in Harrington
8. “Rainbow Maker” - Polly, Aunt Nancy and Polly turn in for the night with much on their minds
9. “Stand Up” - After spending the night researching the “glad texts” in the scripture, Reverend Gillis (Larry Riley) shares a new message with the congregation of hope and joy
10. “Finale” - Polly initiates a huge change in Harrington

libertarirynn:

Black history month day 9: architect Walter T. Bailey

Walter Thomas Bailey was born in Kewanee, Illinois on January 11, 1882. He enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1900 and became the first African-American graduate of the University of Illinois’ School of Architecture with a bachelor of science in architectural engineering. He was later granted an honorary master’s degree in architecture from the university in 1910.

Bailey was the first licensed African-American architect in the state of Illinois. He was appointed as the head of the Mechanical Industries Department at the Tuskegee Institute in in 1905. While there he designed several campus buildings including White Hall (1908), and a girl’s dormitory. Pictured here is his First Church of Deliverance, considered a Chicago landmark.

blackgirlsaregold:

So sweet 👩‍👧‍👧

francavillarts:

DEBI THOMAS

Debi, the best African American figure skater in the history of the sport, World Champion in 1986, became the first African-American to win an Olympic medal at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988.
#BlackHistoryMonth #Day9 #WinterOlympics

bodakfenty:

berniesrevolution:

Happy Black History Month

MLK was OVER it!

(via torrentsofinsanity)