America Celebrates Black History Month Feb 2010

The need for economic development has been a central element of African-American living. After centuries of unrequited toil as slaves, African-Americans gained their freedom and found themselves in the struggle to make a living. Pushing against the odds, African-Americans became landowners, skilled workers, politicians, small businessmen and women, professionals, and ministers. During the Jim Crow economy, they started insurance companies, vocational schools, teachers colleges, cosmetic firms, banks, newspapers and hospitals. To fight exclusion from the economy, African-Americans started their own unions and professional associations. In an age in which individuals proved unable to counter industrialization and commoditization alone, they preached racial or collective harmony rather than individual self-reliance. The late-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries witnessed an unprecedented degree of racial solidarity, healing, and organization. Many believe that if we had not conducted the Martin Luther King, JR. lead Civil Rights Movement of the 60's, our civil liberties and fundamental rights would not exist as we know it. President Barack Obama exemplifies the advancement made by African-American Americans. His legacy as our nation’s first African-American President is celebrated along with the legacies of other African-American Americans who were firsts in their fields—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglas, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Oprah Winfrey, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Ray Charles, Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby and many more. In celebrating African-American History Month, we recognize individuals from all walks of living who have and/or continue to contribute through their success to the history of African-American empowerment. We also recognize the diverse perspectives of African-American Americans and embrace their rich cultural, educational, social, civil, and political contributions, which are essential to improving the American quality-of- life. We are THE PEOPLE When we help Hispanics, history proves that we help America When we help African-Americans, history proves that we help America When we help Asians, history proves that we help America When we help?!?! …history proves that we help America - Elihu Eli El FEB2010

President Barack Obama Our first African American President

W.E.B Dubois Civil Rights Activist and founder of the Niagara Movement

Frederick Douglas African American Abolitionist

Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighter

Rosa Parks Civil Rights Activist

George Washington Carver Agricultural Chemist

Bill Cosby Comedian, Actor, Author, Educator and Humanitarian

Ben Carson Surgeon at Johns Hopkins

Condelleza Rice Former Secretary of State

Michael Jordon Six time Champion Basketball Player, Entrepreneur and Humanitarian

Oprah Winfrey Talk Show Host, Actress and Humanitarian

Nelson Mandela Activist

Muhammad Ali Heavyweight Champion

Denzel Washington Actor and Director

Earl Graves Entrepreneur

Ray Charles Musician

Thurgood Marshall First Black Supreme Court Judge

Russell Simmons Entertainment Entrepreneur, Humanitarian

Madam CJ Walker First Black Female Millionaire, Entrepreneur

Colin Powell Retired Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, Former Head of State Department

Shirley Chisolm First Black Female Congresswoman

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds Musician

Benjamin O. Davis Jr Tuskegee Airman and First Black Officer to get his Wings

Maya Angelou Poet, Author and Humanitarian

Arthur Ashe Tennis Great

Wilma Rudolph Olympic Runner

Duke Ellington Composer and Bandleader

Alex Hailey Author

Hank Aaron Baseball Player

Langston Hughes Author

Jesse Owens Olympic Track Great

Ossie Davis Actor, Director and Activist

Martin Luther King Civil Rights Activist