CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY – “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WITH WHICH YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD” NELSON MANDELLA
Black History is more than one month out of the year. Every day I wake in the best country on earth as a proud and successful black man. Learning from black history will enable us to achieve a fair and equitable United States of America!
MY CHILDHOOD
My brother, Bill, and I grew up attending segregated and UNEQUAL schools in rural N.C. Our hometown had a population of hundreds of thousands of chickens and still lays claim to the world’s largest frying pan.
The two primary jobs in our town, farming and working in chicken processing plants. These jobs are, back-breaking, hazardous, and hard-work for low pay.
We saw in 2020; the poor working conditions in meat processing plants have not changed. As of February 19, 2021, more than 45,000 reported COVID positive cases occurred in meat and poultry processing facilities, and at least 240 reported COVID worker deaths.
EDUCATION – A TOOL FOR SUCCESS!
Our parents, a Principal, and Teacher raised us to understand education was critical for our future. We learned from our grandparents, parents, and famous blacks of our era to face and conquer ALL obstacles. My boyhood hero- Muhammad Ali, said:
History books recognize my childhood heroes including: Rev Martin Luther King, Jr. Thurgood Marshall, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and MANY more, who repeatedly GOT UP, faced and defeated racism and bigotry.
My brother and I learned about black history in segregated public schools. Unfortunately, that history was never taught after schools were integrated. Our parents kept it at the forefront in our home.
As an adult, I love reading history and discovering previously unknown, intelligent, talented, and heroic men and women of all races. History teaches us what has been accomplished against staggering odds.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY (NCSU) ACCEPTANCE LETTER
I did not save that very polite letter and will paraphrase it.
Dear Handsome Young Black Man,
We appreciate your application, but this is a horrible idea. As a young black man from a small rural high school, not to mention your SAT scores, the odds of graduating our best in class, 99.9% white student body school is almost ZERO. With that said, your Guidance Counselor called and requested we consider you. So, come on and flunk out. We need the numbers!
Best regards,
NCSU Admittance Office
The original letter was not that blunt, but the above accurately cuts to the chase. I also applied to two other universities, both Historically Black, and was accepted with glowing praise. I enjoy stepping up to challenges that seem impossible. This trait does cause failures at times, and great lessons are learned regardless! I went to NCSU AND GRADUATED!
PATH TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM
My brother and I graduated with seven college degrees, {Including my two NCSU degrees. I do enjoy a challenge}. We rose to the Vice President Level in Corporate America and are now HAPPILY retired and enjoying our earned financial freedom.
If you want to learn how we EARNED our financial freedom, sign up for my FREE blog.
BLACK HISTORY DEMONSTRATES HOW TO BE GREATER!
My family, along with so many great men and women achieved tremendous success while living under slavery and Jim Crow racist laws, gave us strength, courage, and determination.
I celebrate Black history because “This Is My Country”! Black men like my Dad and Uncle loved this country so much they went to battle in World War II, knowing they would come home to the same EVIL Jim Crowism they left behind. We need to incorporate and celebrate Black History every day.
MY FAMILY’S SHOULDERS – “I am strong, when I am on your shoulders“
Josh Groban “You Raise Me Up“
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be ……
You raise me up to more than I can be.
CONCLUSION: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY – EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WITH WHICH YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD” NELSON MANDELLA
In addition to using the lessons from history as inspiration, we must learn from our failures. Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” President Lyndon Johnson initiated the war on poverty in ~1964. The US Federal government spent greater than $20 Trillion and the States, Trillions of dollars more. The results have been a dismal and expensive failure. The wealth gaps remain approximately the same.
The median wealth for a White family was $188,200.00 in 2019, compared to $24,100.00 for Black families and $36,100.00 for Hispanic families, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, released in September 2020.
The only way to close the economic gaps between races is through equal education opportunities. While many Teachers’ Unions made absurd requests, the children who suffered as schools remain close during COVID, are poor students of ALL RACES. Too many of America’s children in inner cities are not receiving a quality education in our public schools but merely passed through to the next grade.
The short-term solution is School Choice, allowing parents to select better performing Charter and Private Schools. We must learn from best-in-class charter schools and implement needed changes in our public schools.
EQUAL EDUCATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN & OUR FUTURE!
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RELEVANT TODAY – DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, J.R.’S, 1963 LETTER FROM THE BIRMINGHAM JAIL
DO YOU WANT TO FINALLY STOP PAYING FOR THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP?
ATTENDING TRADE SCHOOL IS OFTEN THE RIGHT CHOICE
AN ACHIEVABLE SOLUTION TO THE RACIAL EQUALITY GAP
MISSING IN ACTION BLACK FATHERS AND RACIAL INEQUALITIES
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IS DROPPING THE SAT AND ACT STANDARIDIZED TEST FOR POLITICAL REASONS. A DECISION THAT WILL HARM MINORITY AND ALL STUDENTS!
A LOVE FOR READING HELPS ME LEARN BLACK HISTORY
In 2020, I started saving Black History and Current Events articles. I learned about successful people, some I had never heard of. I have almost 200 of these articles and provided the links to a few below.
America’s first female self-made millionaire was an African American woman
12 Facts About Shirley Chisholm, the First Black American Woman to Run for President
https://flip.it/idXU
NASA Names D.C. Headquarters After Mary W. Jackson, the Agency’s First African American Woman Engineer
Gladys West: the hidden figure who helped invent GPS
Katherine Johnson: The NASA ‘Computer’ Who Launched a Man into Space and Women Into STEM
55 of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Most Inspiring Motivational Quotes
Investment guru Mellody Hobson: Financial illiteracy is ‘dangerous’ for society
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, real estate, and happy to share my finance and investment lessons learned with you.
However, I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
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