Learning Starts Here: Exploring Civil Rights from Past through Present

When you consider the purpose of a museum, you probably picture the perfect school field trip, or an indoor adventure for a rainy day. Though this may be most people’s first impression of the purpose of museums, we challenge you to think further. Museums collect stories, memories and artifacts to inform the public, but most importantly, these collections spark important conversations. This is exactly why we’ve compiled our picks for the best civil rights museums in America to explore.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown Atlanta

Our first pick, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights located in Downtown Atlanta is an engaging cultural attraction. This center forms an important connection between the American civil rights movement to the modern day global rights movement. This connection is made through the center’s collection of imagery and artifacts, combined with powerful storytelling.

What inspires us most about this pick is that the National Center for Civil and Human Rights makes the pursuit of equal human rights an achievable #SquadGoal for us all. The Center works to encourage and empower visitors so that they can gain a greater understanding about what we all can do to play a role in protecting human and civil rights across the globe.

National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel

Our second pick on our list of must-see civil rights museums in America has a similar mission to our first: to teach visitors not only about historical milestones, but to connect these events to current day issues. The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is a multi-sensory, multimedia experience, immersing visitors in its collection. The museum includes exhibits that explore important aspects of civil rights history, with “A Culture of Resistance: Slavery in America 1619-1861” and “Standing Up By Sitting Down: Student Sit-Ins 1960”.

The museum partners with organizations including the Blues Cultural Center and Diversify Memphis to further its goal to innovate, inform and inspire the public to apply their historical knowledge when addressing today’s human rights challenges.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site

While we’ve touched on the importance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s landmark impacts on American history before, this site is monumental in its own right. This site includes King’s childhood home, which is also his birthplace as his parents refused to have King be born into a segregated hospital. Here, you can walk in the footsteps of this civil rights hero, while also having the opportunity to visit the Ebenezer Baptist Church where King would preach.

The site also includes the D.R.E.A.M gallery exhibits which work to showcase the relationship between MLK and Jimmy Carter and their efforts toward equal human rights. For children and adults alike, this site is one that shouldn’t be missed.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Established by Act of Congress in 2003, the National Museum of African American History and Culture boasts over 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 members of the museum. This is the 19th and most recent museum of the Smithsonian Institution as of September 2016, and is entirely dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history and culture.

The museum is filled interactive exhibits that explores what it means to be black in America both historically and in modern day. Its varied exhibits cover movements including Hip-Hop, the Black Arts Movement, #BlackLivesMatter and more.

International Civil Rights Center and Museum

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum (ICRCM) celebrates the nonviolent protests of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins. These sit-ins began February 1, 1960 in North Carolina, when four A&T freshmen sat down at the “whites only” lunch counter. This act worked to spark the sit-in movement, an integral aspect of the civil rights movement as a whole.

The center functions as a memorial to this “Greensboro Four,” while also working to fortify the spirits of all those oppressed throughout the world that are working toward human freedom. The ICRCM’s mission is to ensure that the world never forgets the courage displayed by the Greensboro Four, as well as the thousands of college and community youth in American South that became a part of the sit-in movement. We love this pick not only for its incredible exhibits but also for its ability to show our children that they can #DoAnything.

8 Amazing Black Women that Changed History

Here at BD, we know a thing or two about the importance of raising strong black women. As a female and black-owned business, we know just how far a little #BlackGirlMagic can bring you in life. This is why we are delighted to celebrate Women's History Month in March, following Black History Month. This month, first established in 1987, is dedicated to the commemoration, encouragement, student, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. To celebrate this month, we have decided to highlight 8 black women of women's history month that inspire us to #BeDifferent.

1. Michelle Obama

It'd be difficult to discuss the importance of black women throughout history without mentioning the ultimate first lady, Michelle Obama. Born Michelle LaVaughn Robinson in Chicago, Illinois, Michelle wasted no time reaching her #SquadGoals. When she was just a child, Michelle skipped the second grade and was later accepted into the gifted student program at her school. This allowed her to study French and to take advanced biology courses. Michelle's thirst for knowledge took her to Princeton University, where she established a reading program for the children of the school's manual laborers. After becoming first lady with 44th president Barack Obama's inauguration, she went to work improving education and health opportunities for students in America. In an effort to combat the childhood obesity epidemic, she revamped the education system's food program and instated programs like the Let's Move! initiative. Michelle also began the Reach Higher initiative, which works to inspire young people to explore higher education and career development opportunities. Overall, this first lady took her knowledge and skill to change the lives of other American girls and boys forever. Now that's what we call #BlackGirlMagic!

2. Harris County Judges

Okay, so we may have cheated on this pick a little bit considering this group consists of 17 remarkable women. This group of women made history in 2018 after being elected to Texas' most populated county, Harris County. With over 200 years of combined experience, this group ran a campaign with the slogan "Black Girl Magic Texas" which let them run away to victory. This team of outstanding, educated women will go on to represent the interests and needs of one of the most ethnically and racially diverse metropolitan areas in the country. Because when they win, we all win!

3. Angela Davis

Having grown up in Alabama as a young girl, Angela Davis knows a thing or two about facing prejudice based on her gender and color. A political activist, Davis dedicated her life to fighting for gender equality, prison reform and alliance across color lines. Perhaps best known for her literary works including Women, Race and Class and The Meaning of Freedom, Davis shared her knowledge on the subject with students of the University of California, Santa Cruz until 2008. Most recently, she was a featured speaker and honorary co-chair of the Women's March on Washington in 2017. Davis proves that no matter how young or how old you may feel, there's always time to make a change!

4. Ida B. Wells

Another remarkable black woman that used her voice to incite justice and change, Ida B. Wells is a journalist and civil rights leader. Wells is proof that academic hard work can change the world. A skilled journalist, Wells used her talents to shed light on life in the American south as a black person. Born into slavery during the Civil War, Wells fought against segregation and discrimination while exposing the prevalence of lynching in the south to foreign audiences. She also was one of the founders of the National Association of Color Women's club, creating the group to address issues of civil rights and women's suffrage.

5. Tarana Burke

When it comes to women's rights, movements like the #MeToo movement have taken center stage in recent years. Though this movement may have only gained traction with the media recently, Tarana Burke first coined the phrase in 2006. Burke used the phrase to raise awareness of sexual harassment, abuse and assault in society. As senior director of the Girls for Gender Equality group in Brooklyn, Burke shares her own experiences with abuse to create a safe environment for young women to do the same. Burke is also focused on the overall well-being of women of color. It's women like Burke that can spark a movement that changes the lives of women world-wide.

6. Dr. Rosemarie Allen

When it comes to representation and support of all melanin skin tones in the educational system, Dr. Rosemarie Allen is what we call #Goals. After entering the public school system shortly after the decision of Brown vs. the Board of Education, Allen was subjected to subpar treatment from public school teachers that lacked experience with black children. Based on their biases, these teachers would often discourage Allen, stunting her progress. One teacher event told Allen that she wasn't destined for college, despite her 3.8 GPA average. In a response to these experiences, Allen made it her mission to fight for the elimination of systematic inequality that targets vulnerable and marginalized children in the world of education. Allen works as an educator and public speaker to expose racial biases and to help teachers gain a deeper and more compassionate understand of their students. She helps teachers show children that they can #BeDifferent and #DoAnything!

7. Dr. Mae Jemison

Dr. Mae Jemison is an example of #BlackExcellence that is just out of this world. In 1992, she made history by becoming the first black woman to travel to space. Jemison was born in Alabama, where she went on to pursue further education in 1977 at Standford University. But she didn't stop there. Jemison then went on to receive her medical degree in 1981 from Cornell. At this time, Jemison used her degree to practice medicine, carry out medical research and to aid the world with her knowledge by joining the Peace Corps. But, again, she didn't stop there. Jemison then became the first black woman ever to the accepted into NASA's training program. She later made history as a member of the Endeavor flight team.

8. Dorothy Height

Named the "unsung heroine" of the civil rights era by the New York Times, Dorothy Height is a name that is inseparable from our nation's past. An advocate for improving the lives of black women and women's rights as a whole, Height used her #BlackGirlMagic to incite change. She began her career following college as a social worker in Harlem, NY and later moved on to work with the National Council of Negro Women. Here, she focused on ending lynching and worked to reconstruct the criminal justice system. Height's work could not be ignored, as she later had names the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Lyndon B. Johnson seek her council on racial issues. Her hard work earned her a Congressional Gold Medal in 2004, signifying the lasting impact she has made on our society.

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Inspirational #LivingLegends

When it comes to empowerment, nothing makes us feel more inspired here at Blended Designs than seeing examples of #BlackExcellence. This is why we've celebrated Black History Month by highlighting our favorite #LivingLegends that are breaking barriers and shattering ceilings in modern day. These #LivingLegends serve as a reminder that we all can reach our #SquadGoals with a little hard work, vision and inspiration.

Misty Copeland & Calvin Royal III

Of the countless professional fields that black men and women have been forced to break down barriers, that of arts and entertainment has been long anticipated. Misty Copeland and her dance partner Calvin Royal III have done just this. With their performance in Harlequinade, the duo has become the first African American duet to be cast as a lead couple for America’s National Ballet Theatre (ABT). Before landing the coveted roles of Pirette and Pierrot, Copeland and Royal faced adversity as dancers of color, performing for years before securing positions as soloists and principal dancers with the ABT.

Ursula Burns

Can you imagine being named one of the most powerful people in the world? Well Ursula Burns used her drive and #BlackGirlMagic to do just that in 2014. This year, Forbes rated her the 22nd most powerful woman in the world. This was because of Burns’ wild successes in business, becoming the CEO of Xerox in 2009. This made her the first black female CEO to head a Fortune 500 Company in history. Raised by a single mother in a low-income housing project located in Manhattan’s Lower East side, Burns defied all odds to break barriers and made history.

Eunique Gibson

Sometimes the biggest barrier that you can break down is inspiring others to break down their own. This is exactly why we’ve fallen in love with the inspiration and encouragement of Eunique Gibson. Gibson a social media guru, influencer, and founder of Because of Them We Can, an award-winning campaign and platform that teaches our community about daily changemakers that are shattering ceilings. By providing a daily showcase of #BlackExcellence, Gibson reminds our people to dream bigger and to appreciate those who are breaking barriers.

Simone Manuel

Born in Texas in 1996, Simone Manuel may not be who you’d first think of when you picture a world-class swimmer. But with her 2016 win in the Rio Olympics at the age of just 20, Manuel made history. Her win in the 100-meter freestyle race made her the first black woman to receive a gold metal in the sport. After starting swim lessons at the age of 4, she continued to pursue her dream of becoming a star athlete, attending Stanford University to show off her skills. Educated and an athlete? Now that’s what we call #SquadGoals!

Shirley Ann Jackson

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson may be the first black woman to receive a doctorate from MIT and to be awarded the National Medal of Science, but we have just one more test for her to take. Our #BDSquad Character Quiz! If we had to guess, she would be Carter™ if she were a #BDSquad member. Just like Carter™, Jackson fell in love with all things math and science when she was a student. She took this love of all things STEM to become the first black woman to receive a PhD in theoretical solid state physics. But she didn’t stop there. She also became the first black woman to be elected president and then chairman of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the first female chairman to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Barrington Irving

This member of our #LivingLegends series takes #BlackExcellence to all new heights. Barrington Irving is the youngest person to pilot a plane solo around the world at the age of just 23. He is also the first black man to do this and the first Jamaican ever to do so. But Irving didn’t stop there when it comes to achieving his #SquadGoals. He went on to graduate magna cum laude from the aeronautical science program at Florida Memorial University. Using his education and expertise, Irving has established his empowering aviation educational program “Experience Aviation”, which encourages minority youth and others to explore careers in aviation.

Linda Brown

This may not be our first time honoring the legend of Linda Brown, but there’s a good reason for that. At a young age, Brown got thrust into the spotlight as a spokesperson and forerunner of the civil rights movement. Brown, along with over 200 other plaintiffs, worked to end segregation and the legal precedent set by cases like Plessy v. Ferguson that established Jim Crow era laws. These laws held that as long as the public facilities available for blacks and whites were equal, then segregation in these spaces was equal. On May 17, 1954 Brown made history as Chief Justice Earl Warren found that “in the field of public education, the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place.” He also found that black schools had a “detrimental effect” on students due to their inferior resources. It was Brown’s bravery and persistence that created a new legal precedent that was used to desegregate other public facilities in the future.

Jennifer Jones

Looking at our nation’s past, Superbowl XXII was a victory for more than just the Washington Redskins and the Denver Broncos. This was the year that the first black woman ever performed the coveted role of Rockette at Radio City Music Hall. The Rockettes, an exclusive dancing troupe established in 1925, barred black women from joining the group before moving the show to New York City in 1932. It wasn’t until 1987 that Jennifer Jones became the first black woman to secure this largely sought-after role. After this groundbreaking performance, she continued to dance professionally for another 18 years.

Shaun King

A favorite of 1954, Shaun King is fighting in modern day for the type of equality and justice that we seek to perpetuate through our own products. A graduate of Morehouse College, King has utilized his platform as a professional journalist to call out injustice and police brutality. A former senior justice writer for the New York Daily Times, he now writes for Harvard and The Intercept. King inspires us all to use our voices to speak out against injustice, as he’s shared his important message in 35 states. He has dedicated to sharing his experience and knowledge with all walks of life, speaking everywhere from colleges and boardrooms to jails and prisons.

Ava DuVernay

In the world of arts and entertainment, Ava DuVernay has shattered ceilings behind the camera as a director, producer, screenwriter, film maker and distributor. DuVernay’s variety of skills has made her the first black woman to win the US Directing Award, while also becoming the first black female to director to be nominated for four Golden Globes and to win an Academy Award with her work Selena. What really makes DuVernay a #LivingLegend is the fact that she uses her wide-reaching platform and successes to encourage and empower other female filmmakers and filmmakers of color.

Steve McQueen

If this #LivingLegend were more accurately named, we would call him Steve McKing! McQueen is an artist, director and screenwriter that was the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Picture with his work 12 Years a Slave. A son of two working-class immigrants, McQueen proves to us all that by combining hard work with our talents, we can achieve anything.

Ruth E. Carter

Just this very month, Ruth E. Carter made history during the Oscars. Carter became the first black woman ever to receive an Oscar for Best Costume Design with her work in Black Panther. A box office hit, Black Panther provided an opportunity to create a story representative of black history an excellence, with a majority black cast both in front and behind the camera. Following her success, Carter is reported as stating that “Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design we turned him into an African king”. We think that these are some pretty wise words coming from the costume queen!

Harris County Judges

Of course we couldn’t talk about #LivingLegends without mentioning the Harris County Judges that made history in 2018. This was the year that a record number of 17 black women were elected to Texas’ most populated county. Amazingly, the group ran on a campaigned with the slogan “Black Girl Magic Texas” and ran away to victory. These female judges used their combined 200+ years of experience to lead one the most ethnically and racially diverse metropolitan areas in the country. Now that’s what we call #BlackGirlMagic!

Channing Dungy

If you chose to watch the ABC network, you are partaking in a part of black history. How you ask? Well because ABC appointed the first black president of a major broadcast television network ever in 2016 when they appointed Channing Dungy. Dungy joined ABC in 2004, quickly rising to success as an executive. By 2013, she held the title of executive vice president, drama development, movies and ministries, and ABC Entertainment Group. Dungy has made her talents known through launching television smashes, including Scandal, Quantico, How to Get Away with Murder, and more.

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Recognizing Black Excellence throughout History.

“Tell Them We Are Rising” Documents the Impact of HBCUs in America

Following his documentary covering the Black Panthers two years prior, filmmaker Stanley Nelson wows us again with his piece, Tell Them We are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges & Universities. As you can deduce from the film’s title, the work focuses on the work of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and their impact on the black community as a whole. Nominated for Outstanding Independent Documentary in the Black Reel Awards, and for Outstanding Documentary in the Image awards, this film is bound to shape our perceptions of the importance of black education for years to come.

A central theme to the film is an examination of the effects that HBCUs have had on American history, culture and national identity. The film, comprised of educational authorities, accounts of personal experience alongside archival footage, letters, diaries, photos and home movies, paints a picture of what it truly meant to be one of the first students to take the brave step toward education following the abolition of slavery. The film showcases the bravery of formerly enslaved blacks working to pursue an education, despite the violence and intimidation they felt, as well as the stark lack of teachers and resources to supply their newly formed universities.

As HBCUs began forming in the mid-1960’s, this was following decades of slavery in which slave owners were permitted to do anything with their slaves, except for teach them to read and write. In the age of racial oppression and discrimination, it was known that an educated black population could not be an enslaved population. This film highlights the importance of the groundwork that HBCUs and their graduates have paved for advancing justice in America. A collective black education experience allowed for black individuals to pursue careers and spearhead civil rights movements in the future to work toward equality for the races.

Most importantly, Nelson’s film speaks to the importance of a black college experience providing a place for these students to be in the majority. It is these HBCUs that define what it means to be black in America, while gathering together a group of individuals who strive to be better than the status quo. This work is a reminder of how important it is to push toward achieving your #SquadGoals, and how surrounding yourself with other motivated individuals can help propel blacks along both intellectually and politically.