Zenzile Miriam Makeba was a legendary South African. They called her Mama Africa. Miriam was the most celebrated undercover freedom fighter in history. Miriam didn't know her fame and fortune would propel her into redeeming the faith and spirit power of her ancestors. It did in the best way. Ms. Miriam Makeba stayed in good trouble. She spoke out with boldness against apartheid in South Africa. They banned her from South Africa for using her gift as a songstress to drown and bleed out inequality at all levels. Sometimes when we think our minds are made up to do something, the creator of the universe will take us in a totally different direction. It will always be better. Miriam lifted her voice to sing against oppression in the country where her mom was placed in jail for trying to survive economically. She also championed against that same racist institutionalized spirit of racial segregation in the United States. Miriam Makeba was blessed not only by her own influential ambience, but she was thankful to Harry Belafonte. When Belafonte saw Miriam Makeba at one of her shows in London, he knew there was fire and magic in her. Belafonte played a key role in Miriam's singing career in the United States. Belafonte introduced Miriam Makeba to a lot of great people. Miriam Makeba was surrounded by a host of influencers. Sidney Poiter, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Nina Simone to name a few. Miriam and Nina Simone were closely bonded as sisters.

We all have gifts and talents. What are we doing with those gifts? Mariam used what she was born with to expose suppression and oppression. Some folks are born with wisdom, knowledge, and an acute sense of understanding. It was given to them in the womb without even asking. Wisdom is the principal thing in life that everyone is encouraged to seek after. If you have Yahweh's wisdom, it will be health to your flesh. It will guide and protect your soul. Whether you are older or younger, desire to have some of Yah's wisdom.

Can you imagine trying to help your community find true liberation, by using your voice and that power you have is strong enough to get you kicked out of your own country? Miriam was halted from South Africa, but it still didn't stop her. She even experienced backlash from the United States when they canceled her. It wasn't a good look for her when she married Stockley Carmichael, nevertheless she lived a purposeful fulfilled life despite her obstacles. There are lessons we can learn from Miriam.

This is why our history is momentous. We are clearly still fighting for our kids and ourselves to learn about our history. It has been drowning in a European system that does not care about educating melanated students about their own history. I do not understand what they don't get. Woods contributions to this world, despite the background noise of Jim Crow and white supremacy, made him one of the very best inventors in the world. Woods was a brilliant man. He was an engineer and highly educated. He had a multitude of patents. Granville invented the roller coaster, made railroads better, the telegraph, air brake system and others.
​
​This entire American Educational system really needs to be revamped. If you are an educator that happens to be working in an educational environment where the students are predominately people of color or black melanated students, is it ok to say you should be obligated to learn about their culture. Why would you not think about resources, books and educational materials conducive to their (them) learning? Be honest. If your European kids were taught everything about black history by black women only and whitewashed their own history, European folks and parents would not stand for that. So, why do they think it is NOT ok for our kids to have Granville T. Woods included into the curriculum? This goes for those other groups and Europeans. If you are teaching black kids, you really should be advocating to the district, the state or whoever you need to, in order for children that you teach to be taught rightfully. European history dominates in melanated schools, in 2024, when it should not. Granville was born to invent. He was also allowed to share time and space from 1856-1910 to show other human beings that look like him how it could be possible for them. You don't think melanated children would benefit from knowing that? They would! 

This little girl has parents who are assertive in training and teaching their little girl how powerful she is and how influential her history has been to this world. You have to emulate this, parents. Representation matters so that our tribe can read it, see it, and then they believe they can do it. Reading great books with literature reflective of themselves, will keep your kids minds elevated in a higher frequency and away from negative things. Even if you do not like to read, I say read it anyway. Take your kids to the library often. Read with them at home. They are not going to teach your kids about their history. You have to do that with them and make time for it. Of course, some folks already know this and do it but there are some people who do not do it or understand how crucial it is.

Alice Ball was a melanated chemist. She developed an ointment that helped with Leprosy at the age of 23. Ball passed away before she could witness the fruit of her brilliance and of course, someone stole her methods and took credit for it as they often did in 1922.

Wrightsville is a town that you and your kids should know about. Most, probably don't. Isn't it so hypocritical of this American government to force all citizens to study, test, and learn only about European history? This is the reason they want to execute our (melanated brown people) history. They know that their hands are bloody. It is 2024 and melanated people are dealing with them trying to ban our history books from the libraries and schools. This is why melanated history is mixed with a bucket full of hidden gems. We are constantly finding out why we are hated and targeted so much. In 1959 in the State of Arkansas 21 melanated boys were purposely burned to their death. Someone locked the doors so that they would die in that fire. I never learned this in school, did you? I know their families did not think that sending their troubled sons to that dormitory would end their lives.

In 2020 Ms. Viola Ford Fletcher, and Ms. Lessie Benningfield Randal, filed a lawsuit seeking reparation for the 300 people murdered in their hometown during the of the 1921 Tulsa Oklahoma Massacre. There was a lot of generational wealth that didn't get passed down. It was destroyed by a white mob using government planes. These last two living legends are both over 100 years old. Ms. Fletcher and Ms. Randal are the surviving pieces of history. On July 9, of 2023, a judge by the name of Caroline Wall (remember that name) dismissed the lawsuit. Recently, surviving members petitioned the Supreme Court of Oklahoma again to see if they would reconsider the dismissal of their lawsuit and they were denied. It is unbelievable that Judge Walls initially allowed the lawsuit to move 
forward and then for some reason, she dismissed it to protect all the European institutions and people. Tulsa is a predominately European Town with European judges. 

There are other groups of people who have endured barbaric cruelty that have received reparations from the United States Government. If you are found guilty of being involved in the killings of any of their people you will be prosecuted to this day. When it comes to justice for others, I surmise our lives do not matter. There is no way any court should have ruled against these survivors receiving the justice that is overdue for them. They boldly and often show us who they are all the time. There is always a double standard of justice when they want to do it.

We definitely need more righteous people that look like us working in this court system. This is why I encourage those in the melanated brown communities to please stop voting for these judges if you haven't looked at how they adjudicate their cases. Look up their cases. Research them all. I do not care if they are blue Democrats or red Republicans because none of them appear to empathize with the plights of our people. History has shown us this time after time, like a Cindy Lauper song on repeat. In 2024 it made its mark in the history books again. If you do not know anything about a judge, please do not vote for them! If you are not sure how they handle "us" when it comes to fairness in this American legal system, please do not give them your vote. We really need to motivate our kids to become involved in the legal process as judges and prosecutors. This is sadly wrong!

Please teach your children their history. If you don't know who these men are it is very necessary for you and your family to study them. These are the images and stories our scholar babies need to be bombarded with. Especially our melanated boys and men. Change the narrative. Representation totally matters. Can you imagine how brilliant their family members and children think they are? They are brilliant and brave heroes.  

"I believe that young minds can make a positive impact on the world." Scientist Heman Bekele

This is why we can't give up on believing in the power of humanity. Even when it appears that darkness has hijacked all of the love and light in the world, it really has no authority to reign in this universe. Here is one more reason to encourage you to help your kids believe in themselves and in their gifts. They (your kids) were born with great purpose to fulfill in this world. Nothing will be able to stop or block what the creator of the universe predestined for you and your kids to rock fiercely in their designed destinies.

Heman Bekele is an extraordinary young man who loves science. This young
man will make this world better, on purpose. Bekele was born in Ethiopia but moved to Virginia as a toddler. As an elementary student Mr. Bekele began using his spare time to come up with a cure for skin cancer. Heman has always been inspired to help protect skin from the sun. He experimented by mixing different chemicals together and stumbled on research for a cure of melanoma. Scientist Heman Bekele's passion for humanity and science inspired him to invent a skin cancer treatment using soap. Bekele's Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) has been featured in numerous magazines. Mr. Bekele has been crowned as "America's Top Young Scientist" at the age of 15. He has been blessed with receiving awards and monetary gifts.

The best thing about Heman Bekele is how intentional he is at the age of 15 to ensure his cure for cancer is affordable for all. You guys definitely have some Heman Bekele kids in your household that you are raising. This history ain't over. 

Exceptional 'Black Girl Magic' just won't ever stop rocking, like way too hard. Ms. Thompson is your witness to receive this bliss. You already know how we love to embrace it proudly over her on the SFM (Sancti-Fly-Mama). My aim is, indeed, inspirational warfare at all times when the topic of melanated women and girls are included. Aaliyah Alicia Thompson was diagnosed with autism at the age of five, but it still could not stop the predestinated thrive the creator placed inside of her. Despite her disability, Aaliyah excelled in her academics. Thompson was a proficient honor roll student. At the age of 21 this young lady opened up her own beauty bar in Georgia. Aaliyah made history by becoming the first ever autistic woman in the country to open up her own business in beauty and haircare. You know your children got next, right? Don't give up on those genius kids. Yahweh makes no mistakes. Entrepreneurship is drowning and bleeding in her veins. Aaliyah was built to advocate for people who were born with disabilities making them part of an inclusive society. If 'Game Changer' was a name, Aaliyah Alicia Thompson would be the beginning, middle and end of it. You KNOW I have to say it! Gone-Gurl.

Please understand that when you intentionally or unintentionally come across a story like this and it closely fits your narrative, you or your family members are going to be absolutely fine. This is your confirmation so keep on pushing. Your kids or spouse will have more opportunities to be and exists as human beings who were born with a disability. Your kids or your family members may be the very ones blessed with life changing ideas to help employ the very same people with low energy who laughed, doubted and talked about them. Be careful. It's so true. You don't know what deck of cards you will have to deal with or that will be handed to you. I think it's extremely important how Ms. Thompson is knocking down the walls to normalize individuals with disabilities. As a society we tend to put people with disabilities in a class by themselves. Why? Can't they be part of the same class you are in? Yes, they can. Ms. Thompson is a great example of what can be! Kudos to her. Aaliyah Alicia Thompson didn't let nothing hinder her.

“Everybody always says, well, we complain about stuff, but we never get up and do anything. This is me getting up and doing something.” Judge Hanif Johnson 

Judge Hanif Johnson is an example of why you should be encouraged to never give up on your children or any young people who perhaps challenges you as a parent. We don't know what the creator of the universe has predestined for them or who they will become. Judge Hanif Johnson was arrested a few times before he decided to change his life. Johnson was always fighting and getting in some form of trouble. When Johnson joined the track team at his school his thinking began to shift. It saved his life. Johnson won the state championship at his high school. He is very involved in coaching track and field at Harrisburg High School.

In the State of Pennsylvania, you don't have to have a law degree to be a judge. I believe that all states should adopt this policy. Hanif Johnson became the first Magistrate District Judge in Pennsylvania at the age of 27 in 2017. People in his community thought he was too young to run for judge in his town of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. When they saw he was serious they supported him. Johnson did attend Penn State University and became the president of the fraternity, Omega Psi Phi (Que Dogs). During his leadership, Hanif was accused of hazing. He 
went to jail for two weeks and beat the trial. The reality of his life being in the palms of someone else's hands pushed Johnson in the right direction. Johnson wanted to get involved in the judicial system because he wanted to help people who looked like him and he didn't like how he was treated. He ran and he won!

Do not let naysayers tell you what you can't do. Do not listen to them when they tell you that you are too young or too old. Do it anyway. You're just ripe to be the change in another person's life. You are the 'thirsty' that is needed in diversity. 
You will never know if you don't try. Remember that your gifts and assignments 
are connected to other people's destiny. May you bathe in inspiration and bring levels of new hope to people in this world just like Judge Hanif Johnson.

"Don't be in such a hurry to condemn a person because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today." Malcolm X