By Cherranda Smith
Black History Month calls for a history lesson on the Divine Nine!
Black Greek letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council are woven into the fabric of HBCUs across the country. They were founded by students and faculty members who were just one to two generations removed from slavery, during a tumultuous period of American history, underscoring the tenacity and fortitude of their founders.
These organizations, also known as the Divine Nine, have served communities globally, fostered sister and brotherhood, and are a cornerstone of Black culture. They have showcased Black academic prowess across all fields and continue to serve as a beacon of Black excellence. Here’s a brief look at the origins of these illustrious organizations.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson frequently brags that he’s not a politician, but that doesn’t mean he’s not incredibly savvy when it comes to politics. Robinson, whose main task consists of presiding over sessions of the N.C. Senate, is elevating the importance of first principles lost by so many in our state and nation today.
Most people are aware his name recognition and current political career were launched through his defense of the Second Amendment at a Greensboro City Council meeting in 2018. It was just the beginning of Robinson trumpeting ideals like inherent rights and equality under the law. At a gun rally in Hillsborough, North Carolina in 2018, Robinson simply stated, “I’m going to do what I have to do to make sure that the rights conferred to me by my Father God and guaranteed by our Constitution stay right here in place.”
Protest planned at D49 board meeting over decision to reprimand teacher for BLM mural in art lesson
Mayo Davison
and last updated 2021-02-04 07:35:38-05
The protest is being organized by The Empowerment Solidarity Network to show support for the teacher and denounce systemic racism.
According to the district, fourth-graders in the Art Explore class at Bennett Ranch Elementary engaged in the lesson on January 19 and 20. While the contents of the lesson met state academic standards related to culture, the material over Black Lives Matter was presented without following district policy of notifying parents about potentially controversial topics. Parents can be brought in for input, or to sign off on the subject. They can also choose to remove their student from class during such a lesson.
District 49 releases additional statement over lesson plan involving Black Lives Matter
Station
and last updated 2021-02-02 23:24:41-05
FALCON â District 49 officials have released another statement after families raised concerns over the context of a lesson plan centered around Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movements.
According to the district, students in the Art Explore class at Bennett Ranch Elementary engaged in the lesson on January 19. While the contents of the lesson met state academic standards related to culture, the material over Black Lives Matter was presented without following district policy of notifying parents about potentially controversial topics.
Mayo Davison
Press release content from Globe Newswire. The AP news staff was not involved in its creation.
National nonprofit shares Black History Month book list for engaging kids in diverse literature .
Reading PartnersFebruary 1, 2021 GMT
Oakland, CA, Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Reading Partners, an early literacy nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing community volunteers to tutor students attending under-resourced schools, believes that diversity should be celebrated not only in designated months but throughout the year. As it celebrates Black History Month, Reading Partners encourages families to instill the important message that Black heritage and history can and should be appreciated every month. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of books centered on non-white characters are written by authors with a shared identity. For example, only 29 percent of the 340 books featuring “significant African or African American content/characters” in 2017 were written by Black authors and/o