Tennis was my favorite sport to play in high school. In the 7th grade, I got the grand idea to learn how to play after watching the Australian Open and immediately fell in love. The sport has had a stereotype of being dominated by white Europeans and many Black women have been shut out due to staunch racism and elitism. Black players are labeled as argumentative and they often receive negative press from the media. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Venus Williams and how she stamped her legacy as one of the greatest tennis players ever.

The Grim Reaper is a made-up personification of death that has been widely accepted in Western society. It’s represented as a shadow figure with a hooded face and carries a thin sickle blade. The figure has haunted children for centuries and even grown adults are afraid for the day when he escorts you to the afterlife. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Solomon Fairfax, the American slave who earned the nickname Grim Reaper while fighting for his freedom.

Playing in a Super Bowl is considered one of the highest accomplishments for a football player and many athletes train their entire lives for a chance to win the Lombardi Trophy. It’s estimated that only 3.1% of players actually achieve such a rare feat. Roster changes, injuries, coaching mishaps, and other factors can dictate if a player ever secures a ring but some of the elites propel their teams forward and refuse to retire without leaving their mark on the game. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Randy Moss, one of the greatest wide receivers to ever grace the field.

Many of us learned about the Statue of Liberty from Schoolhouse Rock!’s iconic “The Great American Melting Pot” episode released in 1977. A whole generation grew up singing about Lovely Lady Liberty and created core memories that have withstood the test of time. Seen as a symbol of freedom, the statue has a hidden history that has been minimized over time. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on one of America’s most notable landmarks, the Statue of Liberty.

While Black Americans have had a long, torrid fight for our rights in the United States, there have been small pockets of revolutionaries around the world who have also advocated for our equal treatment. From chattel slavery in the Caribbean to indentured servitude in Europe, the world has always had a negative perception of melanated people. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Vicente Guerrero, the first Black president that fought for equality and abolished slavery in Mexico.

Starting a business is one sure-fire way of securing economic stability. During Jim Crow, Black Americans were forced to get creative with how they sustained themselves especially since most lucrative jobs were reserved for white workers. They also had to work twice as hard to get half as far since, culturally, they didn’t have the luxury of passing along generational wealth. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Burdines Store, a successful Black American owned department store in Miami.

Skype used to have a firm hold on the virtual conferencing market until the 2020 pandemic forced companies like Google, Zoom, and Microsoft to create competing products. When everyone had to shelter in place, businesses were forced to embrace new methods of communication with customers and employees. Families that were spread out used some creative ingenuity to maintain close relationships, but none of that would have been possible without some key technological advancements decades prior. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Marian Croak, the Black American woman who originally developed the voice over IP technology that drives video conferencing.

Music truly makes my world go around. I never get tired of listening to my favorite songs or building the perfect playlists for every occasion. Most of my listening statistics include R&B, hip-hop, rap, and soul and has evolved over time as I’ve gotten older. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Jill Scott, one of my all-time favorite artists who has stamped herself as a legend in Black culture.

Ice cream is a dessert loved by many, especially since it comes in numerous different flavors, shapes, and forms to satisfy anyone who craves the creamy concoction. From Drumsticks to pints to Dreamsicles and everything in between, all ages can find something they enjoy. While it’s now a popular treat, there was once a time when Black people weren’t allowed to eat it. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on butter pecan ice cream and why it’s a delicacy loved by Black Americans across the country.

Unity is important in advancing a group’s interests politically, economically, and socially. Many times we’ve seen uprisings and movements fail because everyone involved weren’t operating on the same accord. Detractors can originate from amongst the group or they can be manufactured to infiltrate and undermine the group’s efforts. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Kwanzaa and dive into why it’s problematic for Black Americans who built the United States.

Black Americans have always struggled to gain a foothold economically, socially, and politically in America. From the evil act of slavery to discrimination, generations have had to fight tooth and nail just to have some semblance of peace. Even when smart business owners abided by segregation laws, their organizations were often undermined and sabotaged simply because of their success. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Bruce’s Beach, a successful Black beach resort in California that was unjustly taken by eminent domain.

With the College Football Playoffs right around the corner, there’s little time left to determine which teams will make the bracket. Almost all college athletes dream of the fame and notoriety that comes with being an elite player, but some also hope to win a national championship to solidify their name in history and secure the Heisman, which is annually awarded to the most outstanding athlete. It’s an honor even being selected as a finalist because it shows that a player’s hard work on the field and during practice has led to national attention. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the very first Black American player to win the prestigious award, Ernie Davis.

Dogs are truly man’s best friend. There’s no greater joy than basking in the love from a four legged animal that trusts you and relies on you for comfort, warmth, safety, and food. Even when they are misbehaving, you can’t be too harsh on them because they are so cute, cuddly, and fiercely loyal. Some dog breeds like pit bulls have received less than favorable stereotypes over the years because humans have negatively exploited their strength and abused them. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on how pit bulls have always been in the hearts of Americans as a favorite dog breed, despite their polarizing reputation.

I’ve always heard that if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything. It’s applicable in today’s society as well as historically, since oppressive regimes have been overcome by brave people standing up for themselves. Having the gall to put your livelihood, family, or even your life on the line is an intimidating, but vital part of fighting for change in society. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Creole Mutiny of 1841.

Change often comes with revolt. From the beginning of history, change is usually brought on not only by tyrannical regimes, but also by unfair and inequitable social situations. From slave revolts to George Floyd protests, Black Americans are no strangers to putting their lives on the line to fight for better treatment and conditions. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the New Orleans Black workers’ strike, which became one of the very first integrated strikes in American history.

Power is often determined by financial strength in society. The famous saying, “Money talks” has always been a way to justify special privileges just based on a person’s wealth. For centuries, Black Americans were denied the liberties to make their own money, buy property, operate businesses, and were even forced to pay different prices just because of their skin tone. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Capital Savings Bank, the very first Black-owned bank in the United States.

During the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement was heating up and many different organizations were formed to fight for and advance the rights of Black Americans. Ideals ranged from nonviolent protests to more direct methods of confrontation. Almost all of the organizations that were designed for change were infiltrated, undermined, and outright targeted by the government, which ultimately stalled forward progress. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Black Panther Party, one of the most well-known revolutionary organizations of its time.

When his active basketball days were officially behind him, Michael Jordan didn’t just fade into obscurity. Timely business moves led to lucrative endorsement deals that ultimately helped push him even higher and higher as a celebrity. He’s one of only a handful of other players who have bridged over from a professional athlete into a successful business man with various investments. Join me as we conclude the Historical Spotlight Series on Michael Jordan and dive into just how he cemented himself into a popular, household name.

Like most legendary players, Michael Jordan wasn’t satisfied with just one win. He wanted to stay at the top for as long as possible and relied on his drive, work ethic, and competitiveness to keep improving towards success. While he faced some challenges along the way, he continued to persevere to play the sport he loved. His performance on the court was a testament to all the sacrifice, training, and time he put in to be number one. Join me as we continue the Historical Spotlight Series on Michael Jordan. 

Basketball is a sport enjoyed by millions around the world. It requires practice, time, dedication, and oftentimes sacrifice to become one of the elites who continue to spark debates well past their retirement. From layups to jumpshots, players work hard to make themselves known for their athletic ability. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight Series on one of, if not the best, basketball player in the world, Michael Jordan.