Looking Good Black Folks

05/11/2024

04/11/2024

9️⃣1️⃣. This life that I’ve been blessed to live is not one that I take for granted. As a little black boy growing up in the South Side of Chicago, making it to 91 wasn’t even a dream because it never seemed possible. But as I stand before you today, I am grateful for every person who lent me a shoulder to stand on…From Count Basie to Nadia Boulanger to Joseph Powe to all of the individuals who told me I was worth another day.
To all-a-y’awl out there, never underestimate the positive impact that you can have on a kid’s life because it may just be the difference between them making it to 19 or 91. Thank you all for the beautiful birthday wishes & I pray that I can continue to pass down what the great’s have given to me!! Keep on keepin’ on…U know I am!

04/11/2024

Now you know!!!

03/11/2024

See the young man in this picture? He was 18 years old when it was taken at the train station in Mobile, Alabama, in 1952.
There is $1.50 in his pocket. In that bag by his foot are two changes of clothes. (And if his mama was anything like most other mamas in the South, probably some sandwiches and other snacks.)
He was on his way to Indiana to take a job. He was going to play baseball for the Indy Clowns of the Negro Leagues. Apparently, he was pretty good at it. A couple of years later, he was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers. He played for the Brewers for 2 seasons, then moved across town to the Braves, and later followed them to Atlanta. Eventually, he was the last Negro League player to be on a major league roster.
He still hangs around the baseball world. At the moment, he's the senior vice president of the Atlanta Braves. Even though the team has changed stadiums (twice) since then, his retired number, 44, still hangs on the outfield wall of the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium near where he belted a homer to break Babe Ruth's all-time record which he held for 33 years).
Remembering "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron, who passed away on 22 January 2021.

02/11/2024

"Mobile libraries in African American neighborhoods in the 1950s were vehicles, often buses or vans, that were equipped with books and other reading materials.
These mobile libraries were aimed at providing access to books and educational resources to communities that were otherwise isolated from libraries and other sources of information. They were especially important in African American neighborhoods, where segregation and poverty often made it difficult for people to visit traditional libraries.
The mobile libraries would visit various locations in the community, such as schools, community centers, and public parks, making it easier for people to borrow books and expand their knowledge. They played a significant role in promoting literacy and education in African American communities during the 1950s and beyond."

02/11/2024

Sebastian Wilson, an 11-year-old entrepreneur from New York City, has launched a unique pizza shop, Sebastian’s Spices and Slices, in Flatbush, blending Caribbean flavors with classic pizza. Inspired by his hardworking parents from Trinidad and Grenada, Sebastian incorporates family recipes with toppings like oxtail, jerk chicken, and saltfish, reflecting his heritage. Despite his young age, he assists with chores, designs, and strategic decisions, aiming to run the business independently one day. His mother, Natalie Lamming, supports his entrepreneurial journey, and Sebastian hopes his success will inspire other young people to pursue their dreams.

02/11/2024

Rodeo has remained a sport dominated by white men, but the two-year-old team whose members met in Maryland is inspiring girls as they seek victoryThe Cowgirls of Color are frustrated. It’s the final stop of Bill Pickett invitational rodeo and the only all-female team has had a difficult first ride, making their chances at a victory very unlikely.

“The whole point was to win, not just to be in [the event] because we’re girls,” says KB, a 39-year-old legal administrator who has been riding with the team for a year and a half.

01/11/2024

..
Charles Baker was born into slavery on August 3, 1859, in Missouri. He worked with wagons and linchpins, which sparked an interest in mechanical sciences. Baker worked over the span of decades on his product, attempting several different forms of friction, including rubbing two bricks together mechanically, as well as using various types of metals. After 23 years, the invention was perfected in the form of two metal cylinders, one inside of the other, with a spinning core in the center made of wood, that produced the friction. Baker started a business with several other men to manufacture the heater. The Friction Heat & Boiler Company was established in 1904, in St. Joseph, with Baker on the board of directors. The company worked up to 136,000 dollars in capital, equal to nearly 6 million dollars in 2022. During his patent application, he stated that the friction heat could be produced with any mode of power like wind, water and gasoline. His device, according to him, was set to be the cheapest source of heat production at the time which made him win accolades such as ‘King of Clean Energy and ‘St. Joseph Negro Inventor.’ friction heater “Mr. Baker claims that the particular mode of power used in creating the friction is not essential. It may be wind, water, gasoline, or any other source of energy. After years of trials, his device was near-perfect at the time it was invented. Baker’s device was made up of two metal cylinders, with one inserted into the other. A wooden spinning core was put in the center to produce the friction. Any notable newsreels hailed his invention. “On March 27, 1904, the New York Times’ edition identified Baker’s invention as a “Clever Negro Invention”. Other newspapers published indicating that his invention would “revolutionize the then heating systems.” Baker then created a factory called The Friction Heat and Boiler Company in 1904 in St. Joseph with him as the head of board of directors. 🖊️As the only admin behind this page, I try to research to educate. If you appreciate this effort, you can support to help the page thrive on www.ko-fi.com/africanarchives (link in bio) Your support is deeply appreciate

01/11/2024

Benjamin F. Hardy was an African-American custom motorcycle builder who made the Captain America and Billy choppers for the 1969 Peter Fonda road movie Easy Rider.

The Captain America bike, made from a then 20-year-old, heavily customized Harley-Davidson panhead is considered one of the most iconic motorcycles ever built.

Working with another Black motorcycle builder, coordinator Cliff Vaughs, Hardy built two 'Billy' bikes and three 'Captain Americas', one of which was destroyed in the making of the movie, the rest of which were stolen. Each bike had a backup to make sure that shooting could continue in case one of the old machines failed or got wrecked accidentally. The 'Billy' bike was typical of the custom motorcycles Black bikers were riding at the time.

Hardy and Vaughs remained largely unknown and uncredited for 25 years as they were not accepted due to being African-Americans, and were not welcomed into the mainstream motorcycle world in the USA.

Known locally as "Benny" and "King of Bikes" Ben Hardy's Motorcycle Service was located at 1168 E. Florence in Los Angeles. He was a mentor to many of the local motorcyclists in South Central, Los Angeles.

His work was featured in the “Black Chrome” exhibition at the California African American Museum.

29/10/2024

28/10/2024

Before there were Black Opera singers such as Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price, there was a Black woman named, Elizabeth Greenfield, who was considered to be the best singer in the world during her time in the mid 1800's. She toured and performed everywhere in front of majority White audiences that loved her singing.

However, it was difficult for racist Whites to accept such an angelic and beautiful voice coming from a Black woman. Her amazing talent and skills earned her the nickname "The Black Swan". She could sing soprano, alto, tenor and even bass.
She also taught herself the harp and guitar. Greenfield was praised by Queen Victoria of England, making her the first Black to perform at Buckingham Palace for the royal family...

Black 🖤 is great, Africa is great 👍

28/10/2024

Robert Thomas is breaking barriers in Houston with District Market Green Grocer, the city's first Black-owned grocery store. Formerly a nightclub, Thomas transformed the space to address food deserts and support over 40 local Black businesses. His vision extends beyond Houston, with plans to open more stores nationwide.

28/10/2024

Adrienne Bennett made history as the first Black female master plumber in the U.S. at just 30 years old and is now the Founder and CEO of Benkari LLC, a Detroit-based contracting company specializing in commercial plumbing and water conservation. With over three decades of experience, she has worked on major projects like the Little Caesars Arena. She continues to inspire the next generation as an advisory board member for Lawrence Tech. Despite facing challenges in a male-dominated field and overcoming health obstacles, Adrienne remains a trailblazer, proving that resilience and dedication can pave the way for future leaders in skilled trades.

28/10/2024

Derek Drake is revolutionizing urban farming as the founder and CEO of Ditto Foods in south suburban Chicago. He uses hydroponics to grow organic vegetables and herbs inside a semi-trailer truck, providing fresh produce to local restaurants and wholesalers. His sustainable farming method not only conserves water but also reduces carbon footprints, positively impacting the

28/10/2024

Orrin C. Hudson, founder of Be Someone, has made history by teaching chess to over 100,000 Black and Brown kids. His lessons in strategy and life have reached students in the U.S. and worldwide. A true champion of empowering the next

28/10/2024

Woman Who Owns 3 IHOPs Just Became New Jersey’s First Black Female Affordable Housing Developer.Adenah Bayoh, a successful entrepreneur and real estate developer, has not only built a thriving portfolio but also owns multiple IHOP restaurants. Fleeing war-torn Liberia as a child, Bayoh’s resilience and determination have led her to become a leading figure in business, and now, she’s set to make history as the first Black woman to develop a major affordable housing project in New Jersey.

27/10/2024

Chef Liz Rogers, founder of Creamalicious, is making history as one of the only Black-owned national ice cream brands in mass production. Her 2-in-1 Southern-inspired desserts combine baked pastries and homemade ice cream and are sold in thousands of stores across the U.S. With flavors like Aunt Poonie’s Caramel Pound Cake and Porch Light Peach Cobbler, Chef Liz celebrates her roots and brings a taste of nostalgia to every bite.