It is likely that no invention affected the everyday lives of all Americans in the 20th century more than the automobile. The industry’s growth spurred an economic revolution across the United States as hundreds of entrepreneurs took advantage of the fact that people were transitioning from horse-drawn carriages to transportation powered by the internal combustion engine. One such company was C.R. Patterson & Sons Company of Greenfield, Ohio, makers of the Patterson-Greenfield automobile from 1915 …

Read moreA Dose of Black History: C.R. Patterson & Sons Company

The 69th Emmy Awards broadcasted this Sunday and it was a night of Black history! Imagine that!   Donald Glover, won for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series for the “B.A.N.” episode of Atlanta. He became the first African-American to win an Emmy in the Directing category for a comedy series. And the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Atlanta. In Atlanta, Glover plays Earnest “Earn” Marks, a dad and a college dropout …

Read moreBlack History at the Emmy Awards!

Why do I do this?  Why is Black History important to me?  Short answer…I do not want children to grow up not knowing their history. Not knowing that African Americans have played a major role in the progress of this country. I do not want African American children, or any other children for that matter, to think that the major role Black people played in American history is as slaves. Yes, slavery is a part …

Read moreWhy DO I DO this???

Mr. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”  A very powerful statement. It’s like, the more you know, the more you grow.  I read something that I’d like to share from an article written by Arne Duncan, past U.S. Secretary of Education:  Education is the key to eliminating gender inequality, to reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet, to preventing needless deaths and illness, and …

Read moreEducation is a powerful weapon!

#STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and in some organizations Arts have been added to create #STEAM. We have the programs – make sure your children are there. It’s all about exposure. If children are not aware that these career choices are available, they can’t aspire to be an engineer, scientist or techie. If you do not expose them to these programs, you/they do not know that they have an interest or a gift …

Read moreFind and Support STEM and Literacy Programs

I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremonies at the David E. Glover Education and Technology Center in Oakland. The young folks received their certifications for completing the summer program and accomplishing their projects. It was heart-warming to see so many young Black girls and boys hovering over computers working on coding for virtual reality games and robotics. The three projects that were highlighted during the reception were absolutely awesome. You had to be …

Read moreHidden Figure Prevention

Yep – seriously!!  I get goosebumps just thinking about that!! Right here in our own backyard! Introducing Mrs. Yvonne Cagle, Astronaut. She is also a medical doctor. Talk about #STEM and #Black History!! During May 1989, while a flight surgeon assigned to the 48th Tactical Hospital, United Kingdom, Cagle volunteered to serve as the Air Force Medical Liaison Officer for the STS-30 Atlantis shuttle mission to test the Magellan spacecraft.  She was assigned to the …

Read moreOur very own Hidden Figure! Yep! Novato native

Tiger – I really miss that young man. He was such an inspiration to up and coming young people thinking about playing golf, especially young Black children. So golf, let’s see who’s giving it a swing these days. First we have Mr. Lee Elder, the first African American to play in the Masters as well as the first to play in the Ryder Cup. 1896: John Shippen, whose father was African-American and mother was Shinnecock …

Read moreGolf? Yep – Black History there too!

Why? Because everything we do revolves around science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  Everything! Black History – STEM!  Yes, they go hand in hand. African American inventors and scientists from as far back as the 1700’s were involved with science, technology, engineering and math. Slaves or free people – they got it! They understood the need to persevere and learn these things. The STEM programs for kids are designed to be a fun and engaging …

Read moreSTEM? Yes! STEM!

The fundraising campaign for the first book, Jaxon’s Magical Adventure with Black Inventors and Scientists of my children’s book series, Just Imagine…What If There Were No Black People in the World? ends Wednesday 7/19. I must say this has been a challenging and very rewarding project. I’ve met some wonderful people during this campaign. Some of who have shown their support with a donation. I am grateful. I believe my series about African American inventors, …

Read moreJust Keeping it Real