The Originators not the Imitators!

Sey
Feb 22, 2023
3 min read

I knowwww y'all didn't think my Black butt was going to blog this month and NOT talk about some Black History. So often, people of color's-categorically Black people's-accomplishments get buried. They aren't rejoiced upon and spread like those of their White counterparts. So buckle up and grab a snack! You're about to read how some pretty cool people created #TheMove back in the day!

Since only eight more days of Black History month are left, please enjoy eight old school and eight new school fast, fun facts about #Moves made by some beautiful Black people.

1. Hattie McDaniels

ree — Courtesy of SILVER SCREEN COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES via Vanity Fair

McDaniels was the first African American to win an Academy Award-for her role in Gone With the Wind.

2. Paul Laurence Dunbar

ree — Courtesy of The Booklovers Magazine via AAIHS

Dunbar, son of ex-slaves, was one of the first African American poets to garner national recognition for his work(Poets).

3. Coretta Scott King

ree — Courtesy of Prairie View A&M University

King is mostly known for being the wife of late Martin Luther King Jr., but she took over for her husband after his passing in addition to later becoming an award winning author (Minuteman Library Network).

4. Stevie Wonder

Wonder, "signed his first recording contract at 11 years old".

5. Lucille Clifton

Clifton "was a Poet Laureate of Maryland" and Pulitzer Prize winner for her poetry.

6. Sugar Ray Leonard

Leonard lost only three of his professional fights. He held five championships throughout his career

7. Nat King Cole

Cole was the first African American to host his own tv show. The self titled program aired in 1956 (Paycor)

8. Eva Jessye

Jessye was the choir director for the debut portrayal of Porgy and Bess on Broadway.

9. Lu Vason

"Vason founded The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo in 1984. It's the only touring African American rodeo in the world" (Rhymes).

10. Sheryl Swoopes

"Swoopes was the first player to sign with the WNBA" (Oprah Daily).

11. Robert Johnson

Johnson founded BET and became the first Black billionaire

12. Kyla Pratt

Pratt starred in Disney's first animated sitcom about a Black family, The Proud Family (shoutout to Destiny's Child).

13. Kobe Bryant

"Bryant was the youngest player to start in a game" (Stephenson). We miss you mamba :(

14. Quil Lemons

"Lemons is the youngest photographer to shoot a Vanity Fair cover" (Menjivar).

15. Tamyra Mensah-Stock

Stock was the first Black woman to earn a gold medal in the Olympics.

16. Jeremiah Fennell

ree — Courtesy of the Jennifer Hudson Show

Fennell, better known as Jeremiah One and Five, is the youngest African American sports reporter!

Although February is the shortest month of the year, that has nothing to do with it being chosen for Black History Month. February was chosen by Dr. Carter G. Woodson to host Negro History week because it hosted Frederick Douglass' and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. The week was later transformed into Black History month.

Often times, we forget that Black History is American History. It's just as much a contribution to society as everything else we learn!

Today I shared facts consisting of entertainment, athletics, art, and literature in alignment with #TheMove's topics. However Black people contribute to ALL sorts of aspects in life ranging from science, politics, activism, and more!

Here are some more places you can learn some Black History!