Today’s post was written by Christina Violeta Jones, Archivist with the Special Access and FOIA Program at the National Archives at College Park, MD “For those of us who write, it is necessary to scrutinize not only the truth of what we speak, but the truth of that language, by which we speak it.” -Audre Lorde[1] Audre Lorde (Audrey Geraldine Lorde) was born in Harlem on February 18, 1934. She was a poet, essayist, feminist, and activist. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Hunter College and a master’s in library science from Columbia University. In 1962, she married Edwin Rollins and t ..read more

“We are born with freedom and hope, but often that’s dashed because of our color. But in school, I’d already been taught that no one could tell me that you can’t do something because you’re black.” ~ Louis Gossett, Jr. On March 29, 2024, Louis Gossett, Jr. passed away at 87 years old. He was an actor, producer, writer, director, and the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Drill Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman. Gossett is known for his countless roles that he performed on stage, for television, and in several Hollywood films. Durin ..read more

“I have created nothing really beautiful, really lasting, but if I can inspire one of these youngsters to develop the talent I know they possess, then my monument will be in their work.” ~ Augusta Savage Collection H: Photograph of Augusta Savage (NAID 559182) Augusta Christine Fells Savage was born on February 29, 1892, in Green Cove Springs, Florida to Cornelia Murphy and Edward Fells. She was a sculptor, art teacher, and strong advocate for emerging artists. As a child, Savage enjoyed making small animals out of red clay dirt, rather than mud pies like other children. She was a natural at s ..read more

Today’s post was written by Marie Maxwell, archivist in the Special Access and FOIA Program at the National Archives in College Park. It’s February, which means it is Black History Month. Do you know why we have a Black History Month? Because it started out as Negro History Week. And who started that? Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Here, you can see his memorial, which is across the street from the Phyllis Wheatley YMCA in Washington, DC and a block from his historic home that is run by the National Park Service. As an amateur DC neighborhood historian, I’ve encountered Dr. Woodson many times in my st ..read more

“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” ~Frederick Douglass RG 79 “Fred. Douglass, lawyer, ca. 1865” Washington, DC SP Douglass, Frederick, National Historic Site (NAID 117692087). Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born enslaved circa February 14, 1817 or 1818, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to an enslaved mother and a slave owning father. He was an abolitionist, social reformer, spokesperson, an ..read more

Today’s post was written by Jack Del Nunzio, archivist in Digitization Archival Services at the National Archives at College Park. Content Warning: This post contains disturbing images and descriptions of anti-Black violence. Have you ever wondered about the origins of recreation facilities, public roads, school systems, utilities, and housing in your hometown? In all likelihood, your small town—or even big city—was shaped by comprehensive planning under the Housing Act of 1954, signed by President Eisenhower. Section 701 in particular provided localities with unprecedented access to federal f ..read more

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up       like a raisin in the sun?       Or fester like a sore—       And then run?       Does it stink like rotten meat?       Or crust and sugar over—       like a syrupy sweet?       Maybe it just sags       like a heavy load.       Or does it explode? ~”Harlem” by Langston Hughe ..read more

Today’s blog was written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Supervisory Archivist in Augmented Processing at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland Cover photo: A Great Day in Hip Hop, Harlem, New York, by Gordon Parks, 1998 This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop. Rap, a genre of popular music rooted in funk, disco, and soul that encompasses the cultures of Black and Brown people is one part of Hip Hop culture. It tells the stories of joy, sorrow, love, hate, success, struggle, pleasure, and pain. With its beginnings in New York City, the key foundation of Hip Hop (wh ..read more

“I am who I am despite what America has put before me. I am who I am despite the obstacles that we have all faced based upon race and based upon social and spiritual humiliation.” ~Harry Belafonte On April 25, 2023, award winning singer, actor, and human rights activist Harry Belafonte passed away at the age of 96 in New York City, New York. His long and successful career garnered him many awards, accolades, and honors for his talent, creativity, and dedication to equality. Belafonte was one of a very few people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) awards. He is best known for his so ..read more

“I am who I am despite what America has put before me. I am who I am despite the obstacles that we have all faced based upon race and based upon social and spiritual humiliation.” ~Harry Belafonte On April 25, 2023, award winning singer, actor, and human rights activist Harry Belafonte passed away at the age of 96 in New York City, New York. His long and successful career garnered him many awards, accolades, and honors for his talent, creativity, and dedication to equality. Belafonte was one of a very few people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) awards. He is best known for his so ..read more