This year marks the 100th anniversary of Carter G. Woodson’s establishment of an honorarium to salute Black History Month.
2026 also marks half a century since President Gerald Ford officially designated a calendar period hailing the contributions of African-Americans.
2026 also marks half a century since President Gerald Ford officially designated a calendar period hailing the contributions of African-Americans.
And while television stations and newspapers must be acknowledged for spotlighting some of the prominent trailblazers who, despite slavery, racism, and deprivation, elevated themselves to a level of excellence expected of privileged citizens, Woodlawn Conservancy in the Bronx invited guests to its 400-acre cemetery for an inaugural salute to African-Americans interred throughout the manicured landmark.
Inside the Woolworth Chapel, a lecture titled “Where Harlem Rests” previewed a trolley tour projected to focus on African-American achievers.
Billed as a special event, the free, pre-Presidents’ Day offering teased a sneak peek at gravesites where unheralded African-Americans are buried.
Billed as a special event, the free, pre-Presidents’ Day offering teased a sneak peek at gravesites where unheralded African-Americans are buried.
Made possible by grants from the National Preservation African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, an enlightening presentation spotlighted some of the enterprising African-Americans whose visionary convictions improved conditions for an entire race.
With snow blanketing paths to mausoleums, epitaphs, and tombstones, author and historian Eric K. Washington substituted visuals to bolster biography on pioneers from the era of the Harlem Renaissance.
Woodson’s dream of lauding trailblazing African Americans came to fruition in 1926.
And a century later, his enduring legacy provides valuable currency to boost a village and a hamlet in Manhattan.
According to Washington, the Bronx landmark distinguishes itself as the borough’s best example of a lasting resting place dedicated to celebrated individuals.
Last year, the Conservancy treated guests to free tours honoring jazz musicians, veterans, Latinos, prominent New Yorkers, and a plethora of nature appreciation dates.
Last year, the Conservancy treated guests to free tours honoring jazz musicians, veterans, Latinos, prominent New Yorkers, and a plethora of nature appreciation dates.
The unique distinction of the green space and its attractions is well documented.
That celebrities the likes of jazz legends Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Clark Terry, Illinois Jacquet, Ornette Coleman, radio broadcaster Hal Jackson, actresses Cicely Tyson and Diahann Carroll, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ralph Bunche, explorer Matthew Henson, drummer Max Roach, writers WC Handy and Nelly Bly, film director Otto Preminger, gangster and revered Godfather of Harlem Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson and a multitude of African-American achievers are buried throughout the hallowed grounds claims monuments of distinction.
That celebrities the likes of jazz legends Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Clark Terry, Illinois Jacquet, Ornette Coleman, radio broadcaster Hal Jackson, actresses Cicely Tyson and Diahann Carroll, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ralph Bunche, explorer Matthew Henson, drummer Max Roach, writers WC Handy and Nelly Bly, film director Otto Preminger, gangster and revered Godfather of Harlem Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson and a multitude of African-American achievers are buried throughout the hallowed grounds claims monuments of distinction.
But Washington deliberately ignored the names of numerous popular, celebrated 20th-century pioneers.
Instead, he accentuated contributions made by unheralded Harlem residents who journeyed north to realize their ambitions.
Inside the Woolworth chapel – named to memorialize the bargain-store innovator – little-known details about the first African-American female millionaire were unearthed.
Of course, much ado has been made of the diverse, enterprising investments the cosmetics specialist Madame C.J. Walker made before realizing economic gains.
Of course, much ado has been made of the diverse, enterprising investments the cosmetics specialist Madame C.J. Walker made before realizing economic gains.
However, Washington delved deep to inform guests that she had invited hundreds to share her mansion.
As a matter of fact, Walker’s guest list exceeded thousands.
She was ostentatious; she flaunted her wealth, but in the process diligently integrated capitalism with socialism to accumulate respectability that paid off historically.
As a matter of fact, Walker’s guest list exceeded thousands.
She was ostentatious; she flaunted her wealth, but in the process diligently integrated capitalism with socialism to accumulate respectability that paid off historically.
No wonder Walker’s business acumen expanded beyond the United States to encompass marketing ventures in Jamaica, Panama, Haiti, and Costa Rica.
Washington lingered long with revelations about Walker’s daughter A’Lelia.
Washington lingered long with revelations about Walker’s daughter A’Lelia.
According to the researcher, the offspring/benefactor was nicknamed “the Joy Goddess of Harlem Culture.”
Despite the limited time allotted, Washington raced through a litany of accomplishments tirelessly achieved by African Americans.
Despite the limited time allotted, Washington raced through a litany of accomplishments tirelessly achieved by African Americans.
As funding to education wanes and schools’ curriculum ignore the trailblazing paths paved by the first Black hotelier; the individual who established the first Black Episcopal church, the impact of Zora Neale Hurston, — the queen of the Harlem Renaissance, inked poetry from Countee Cullen, and revealed the names of countless journalists and publishers, Washington also introduced guests to a legion of unheralded citizens.
For one singular afternoon in February, the names of those pioneers appropriately fulfilled Woodson’s aim. While some are buried alongside elaborate memorials dedicated to 20th-century pioneers Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco, Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia, car legend John D. Hertz, prize-winning writer Joseph Pulitzer, politician Robert Moses, and others, Washington resurrected the life-long contributions of African-Americans who are gone but not forgotten.
The fact that Republicans are rewriting a case against DEI, and relentlessly in pursuit of diminishing gains made by African-Americans decades ago to erase Black history, it didn’t go unnoticed that Washington’s message exposed the attraction of African-Americans to the same political allegiance.
Without mentioning their alliance, it was apparent that during the Reconstruction era, Black Republicans found refuge with the party.
The premiere, uptown, anniversary lecture also hailed female Black journalists who amplified their voices through newspaper writing.
More than that, the afternoon expedition exalted African-American men and women who dared to dream.
Another enlightening factor gleaned previously undisclosed information about the preponderance of Caribbean migrants from Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Croix, and Guadeloupe.
The premiere, uptown, anniversary lecture also hailed female Black journalists who amplified their voices through newspaper writing.
More than that, the afternoon expedition exalted African-American men and women who dared to dream.
Another enlightening factor gleaned previously undisclosed information about the preponderance of Caribbean migrants from Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Croix, and Guadeloupe.
Apparently, many adventurous dreamers moved north in order to achieve success.
Not to be overshadowed were the masses who journeyed southward from places unwilling to shed bigotry.
Not to be overshadowed were the masses who journeyed southward from places unwilling to shed bigotry.
Now resting at Woodlawn Cemetery, their names were amplified in ceremony and adulation.
Much could be said about Woodson’s innovative initiative of recognizing former slaves.
Much could be said about Woodson’s innovative initiative of recognizing former slaves.
As the second African-American to graduate with a PhD from Harvard University, Woodson honored his race and generations to follow when he conceived a week that became a month.
Next month, an Irish Heritage trolley tour will feature “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”
In addition to celebrating contributors from Ireland, the free event also invites guests to stop by the Rambling House on Katonah Ave. for a pint of Guinness.
Next month, an Irish Heritage trolley tour will feature “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”
In addition to celebrating contributors from Ireland, the free event also invites guests to stop by the Rambling House on Katonah Ave. for a pint of Guinness.
Celebrate Miraclein — every day of every week of the monthA rare occurrence prevails this month.
With 28 days on the February calendar, four weeks of every day’s presence signal Miraclein, a phenomenon which occurs every 832 years.Throughout the four-week, 28-day cycle, each day will be configured, resulting in four Sundays, four Mondays, and so on.
If only once in most lifetimes, miracles do happen.Catch you on the Inside!
With 28 days on the February calendar, four weeks of every day’s presence signal Miraclein, a phenomenon which occurs every 832 years.Throughout the four-week, 28-day cycle, each day will be configured, resulting in four Sundays, four Mondays, and so on.
If only once in most lifetimes, miracles do happen.Catch you on the Inside!
