February 2021 Newsletter

Great Queen Nzinga, 17th Century African Diplomat, Strategist, Warrior

There is a source of strength, intelligence, and unequivocal perseverance that African women and their sisters throughout the diaspora have historically displayed. Whether considering those who led nations, revolts, movements, or other enterprises, women of African descent has and continues to achieve the extraordinary. Queen Nzinga, the 17th century ruler of Angola who led a 30-year war against Portuguese encroachment is one example of the powerful women from which present-day Black women descend. During Queen Nzinga’s reign of resistance against enslavement and colonization she orchestrated political alliances and gorilla attacks that became legendary. Exceptionally skilled in wielding the battle-ax, Queen Nzinga led her army into battle until she was well into her sixties.

As we witness what appears to be a rise in the number of Black women leading nations, movements, businesses, and more, let us remember their vibrant lineage. Becoming more familiar with the historic triumphs of women of African descent can help shift experiences of surprise associated with their present-day achievements, to expectation. After all, they are recipients of a mighty inheritance.

To learn more about Queen Nzinga, and why we can expect Black women to win, click below.

and political advancements, left clues that inform his successful rule. Tenkamenin’s daily visits among the citizenry to ascertain their needs distinguished him as a wise, compassionate, and highly effective leader. It was genuine regard for the people that drove his governance policies.

Ancient Ghana and other pre-colonial African nations were organized into social orders that reflected present-day aspirations of democracy. As governance structures in the United States and elsewhere are increasingly scrutinized, Tenkamenin’s leadership may offer insights about the enduring value of authentic democratic leadership. To learn more about the practices of this highly effective African ruler who powerfully applied aspects of democratic governance during the eleventh century, click below.

As a bonus, click on the second button to watch acclaimed historian Dr. John Henrik Clarke describe King Tenkamenin’s powerful governance practices.

2021
February Newsletter, History and Culture

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Maggie L. Walker, Relentless Activist And 1st Woman to Open A US Bank

In 1904, when Maggie Lena Walker led a boycott against segregated street cars in Richmond, Virginia, she powerfully proclaimed “Our self-respect demands that we walk.” Walker articulated an absolute resolve, firmly rooted in her confidence that Black people could build and provide for their own communities. As a courageous activist, outspoken editor, and successful entrepreneur, her exemplary self-regard was routinely
displayed in the different arenas she tirelessly worked to improve Black lives. One of Maggie Lena Walker’s crowning achievements was becoming the very first woman in the United States to open a bank.

Walker chartered the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903. As an employer of Black people and a source for their home and business loans, her bank was a major financial institution in Richmond’s Black community. To survive the 1929 stock market crash, Walker led the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank through a merger with two Black owned banks to form the Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. With her strategic guidance,
the joint venture produced the longest operating Black Bank in the United States.

Maggie Walker was a multi-talented woman who exemplified an indomitable spirit. When Black people were being routinely lynched, she started a newspaper to expose and help end the terror. When Black women shopping for hats in department stores were made to place wax paper on their heads, as a contaminant barrier before trying them on, Walker opened her own store. As the early NAACP leader grew older and her mobility waned, Walker attached wheels to her desk chair and installed an elevator in her home in order to continue her relentless efforts to improve Black lives.

To learn more about Maggie Walker and be inspired by her wide span of extraordinary, click below. You’ll find both an article and short video about her life and legacy.

2021 February Newsletter, History and Culture

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Finally! AfroLand TV, A New Pan-African Movie and TV Streaming Service

As February ushers in heightened public discourse about love, accentuated by valentine hearts and exchanges of chocolates, let’s consider AfroLandTV a resource for cultivating Black self-love. It is a new and FREE (for now!) movie and TV streaming platform designed to “explode African stereotypes often seen on mainstream . . . “

Founded by Zimbabwean actor and entrepreneur Michael Maponga, the Pan-African themed platform features hundreds of movies reported to have undergone a strict vetting process for selecting high-quality content.
Identifying, accessing, and routinely watching movies that portray Black people as purveyors of well-being is an important aspect of cultivating Black self-love.

Click below to learn more about AfroLandTV and how it can help foster the kind of self-adoration that fortifies Black lives.

2021 February Newsletter, Present Day Achievements

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Meet 3 Black Entrepreneurs Who Launched a Popular Yacht Charter Service in Tulum, Mexico

Truth is, the longer the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the more Black people find ways to prevail. That’s exactly what William Lee, Jon Robert, and Ryan Fletcher are doing as new owners of The Yacht Club tour services in Tulum, Mexico. Launched in 2020 with the intention to meet food, music, and other cultural preferences of Black vacationers,
their rapidly growing business has become a favored social-distancing retreat among African Americans.

With customer safety in mind, the owners have partnered with area hotels to provide on-site COVID-19 testing. International travelers who must present COVID-19 negative test results, in accordance with CDC requirements, can be accommodated.

For more information about 3 Brothers who—by working together—activated a thriving business in the midst of a global pandemic, click below.

2021 February Newsletter, Business & Finances, Present Day Achievements,

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Brilliant Black Canadian Student 1st To Win Prestigious $500K International Science Competition

In previous years, Maryam Tsegaye shied away from entering the International Breakthrough Junior Challenge. After all, it was a global competition, renowned as the “Oscars of Science” that attracted some of the world’s most knowledgeable and talented 13-19 year-old scientists. She admitted feeling somewhat intimidated. Yet, when Maryam put aside doubts and fears and entered the 2020 competition, she won! The 17-year-old submitted a 3-minute video presentation that creatively explained quantum tunneling, using dice and video games as learning prompts. For her brilliance, expertise, and tenacity, Maryam won the $500,000 prize. She is now recognized as one of the smartest, most talented teens—as relates to comprehending and explaining scientific knowledge—in the world. Let us pause and consider what that means.

As a person of Ethiopian descent, Maryam exemplifies what cultivating the unlimited talents and abilities of Black youth can look like. Consider her a Canadian variety of Black Girl Magic. She is a person you want Black youth—and especially Black girls—to know about. Click below to read more about her amazing achievement and actually view the award winning video! Then, please take a moment to share this article, as a mirror of possibility, with a young person.

2021 February Newsletter, Youth & Community, Present Day Achievement

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Meet the Afro-Latina Inspired to Publish a Puerto Rican Magazine To Celebrate Black Beauty and Afro-Latino Culture

As a young girl growing up in Puerto Rico, Sacha Antonetty-Lebrón was enamored by the gorgeous images of African American women she found in the Essence magazines her father brought home after visiting New York. Because she lived in a social structure where darker complexions were disparaged, finding images of beautiful Black women with dark complexions like her own, bolstered Antonetty-Lebrón’s self-regard. Seeing those images sowed her childhood desire to publish an Afro-Latina magazine that celebrated Black beauty. Antonetty-Lebrón’s desire persisted until December 2018 when Revista étnica (Ethnic Magazine) a Puerto Rican magazine that focuses on the beauty and social issues of the Afro-Latinx communities in Puerto Rico, was first published.

Not only does Revista étnica showcase the beauty and power of Black women and communities in Spanish speaking communities around the world, it underscores the similar race, social, and equity issues shared between people of African descent throughout the diaspora. In addition to emphasizing a Black aesthetic, the ground breaking magazine invites collaboration and unity. Referring to the needs of Black world communities, Antonetty-Lebrón commented “I believe that our best resistance is through expressions of beauty,” . . . It’s what gives us power. That’s why in each edition of the magazine, we present our natural beauty, our intellect—what makes us strong.”

Does Anonetty-Lebron’s emphasis on showcasing Black beauty, power, and intellect sound familiar? Click below to learn more about the Spanish publication reinforcing common ties that bind Black women and men.

2021 February Newsletter, Present Day Achievement

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Daughter Inspired Business Brings Haitian Teas to Your Doorstep

It was Sanaa Pierre, a brilliant 8-year-old and first-generation Haitian American, who first suggested to her mother that they share the Haitian teas they loved with others. Her mom, Sandra Florvella, listened. Considering that Haiti’s mineral rich mountain farms are known to produce high quality herbal and medicinal plants that render particularly robust flavors, Sanaa’s idea appeared to have real merit. After 3 years of researching, planning, and structuring business collaborations, the mother-daughter duo launched Haitea, a Black-owned, all-natural brand of herbs and teas sourced directly from women farmers.

Florvella expressed an important focus of the Haitea brand when she sated, “We have an opportunity to not only share what comes from Haiti but to create job opportunities in Haiti.” This perspective reflects an inward-facing business model that affirms and utilizes resources associated with her family’s cultural and national heritage. It reflects an ability to look to one’s self—rather than outwardly to other people and their resources—to find
value.

To learn more about the Haitea business design and products, click below.

2021 February Newsletter, Youth & Community, Present Day Achievement

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