By Nzingha Nommo* Presented by Omni-University Bold, Beautiful, Black women are the Mothers of Civilization.  They inspire, guide, nurture, and support us in ways seen and unseen. This curated Chicago collection of Black Women in History is a mix of contemporary and historical figures who have shaped our lives that we can reference for clear examples of those who dared to make a difference through their works. Since I was born and raised in Chicago, this list is near and dear

By AbdudDharr Abdullah  Presented by Omni-University Ancestor Marion Nzinga Stamps, [Maa Kheru],was born in Jackson Mississippi. She became involved with the civil rights movement at the age of 13 under the guidance and direction of her former neighbor, famed civil rights activist, Medgar Evers . Marion moved to Chicago in 1963 and quickly became involved in the local civil rights movement. She moved into the Cabrini-Green Housing project at 1230 North Burling Avenue where sh

By Rodney Keith Strong Presented by Omni-University  Ella Josephine Baker was one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on December 13,1903.  Her father, Blake Baker, worked for a steamship line and was often away. In 1910, when she was 7, there was a racist attack on the Black community in Norfolk and her parents decided to move the family back to the Littleton, North Carolina hometown of her mother, Georgiana.  Alth

By Rodney K. Strong, JD Presented by Omni-University Ancestor Fannie Lou Hamer Most Americans are familiar with the most prominent male leaders of the Classic Civil Rights Movement. During this period, from 1954 to 1968, the African American struggle resulted in an end to legal racial segregation in the United States. Leaders such as Justice Thurgood Marshall and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are well known. But, there were many unsung individuals, both men, and women, who

By Wayne Sebamurti Gentry Presented by Omni-U Virtual University “History tells a people where they have been and what they have been, where they are and what they are. Most important, History  tells a people where they still must go and what they still must be. The relationship  of History  to a people is the same as the relationship between a Mother and her child.” Ancestor Dr. John Henrik Clarke.   At its core, "Black History Month'' represents an educational vehicle for t

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace  Presented by Omni-U Virtual University " Every people should be the originators of their own designs, the projectors of their own schemes, and creators of the events that lead to their destiny, the consummation of their desires ."1 Martin Robinson Delaney, Maa Kheru  In order to facilitate our examination of the issue raised in Part 1 of "Going in Circles"- that " Black people still don't get it"-  I believe it would be beneficial to seek the cou

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Let me admit, at the outset, that I love Ancestor Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore, Maat Kheru, with all my heart.  From the very first moment I heard her speak, I bonded not only with her message but, with her spirit as well. In time, I was fortunate enough to become her student, in the Master's degree program at Northeastern Illinois University's Center for Inner City Studies[1] ,where I subsequently became Faculty

By Wayne Sebamurti Gentry Presented by Omni-U Virtual University "We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Often cited by Ancestor  James Peace, Jr. D.D.                                        Most of us have learned the scientific Law that "Energy is neither created nor destroyed". The total amount of mass in the universe is constant; it simply changes forms. Similarly, in the context of Spirituality, it is understood that "Life" is never created, nor is Life ever

By Dr. Josef Ben Levi  Presented by Omni-U Virtual University  Black men are particularly susceptible to prostate cancer. Part of the reason  that Black men die at higher rates from prostate cancer is due to diet, environmental factors, emotional distress, and “medical  mistrust,” i.e. the idea that Black men, and Black people in general, do not have a high level of confidence in the medical profession. This mat be due to the long history in this country of medical experiment

By Dr. Josef Ben Levi Presented by Omni-U Virtual University  Introduction In this article, I want to review a very timely book: MediSin:   The Causes & Solutions to Disease, Malnutrition and the Medical Sins That Are Killing the World (2015) by  Dr. Scott Whitaker, ND & Jose Fleming, CN, MH. This book investigates some of the reasons for the diseases and other illnesses that we face. The early 21st century has introduced new pandemics caused by diseases and other factors  th

By Rodney K. Strong, Esquire  Presented by Omni-U Virtual University  Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. ”Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only Black American citizen honored with a national holiday. Dr. King is also the only private citizen honored with a memorial on the National Mal

By Reverend Dr. D. Darrell Griffin Presented by Omni-U Virtual University A while ago, my son, Bryce, was in our family room playing a game on his PlayStation. The game wasn't going well for him. He was yelling and complaining that the game was unfair and difficult to win. A few minutes later, however, I heard him laughing and shouting for joy. I wondered why he was so happy, so I asked him, "Are you winning the game?” He told me that everything was fine because he had presse

By Edith Armstrong McLoud Armstrong/aka Mama Edie  Presented by Omni-U Virtual University  Thanks so much, Mama Gloria,  “Community Preparedness” is a matter that I've initiated increasing conversations about with those around me. And, I recall the days of the Topographical Research Center, near New Concept/Third   World Press  on Cottage Grove Avenue, where we were made aware of plans that were years in the future, some of which were almost unbelievable, due to their absence

Preparedness begins with a mindset of overcoming whatever obstacles are impinging upon - or may threaten - your survival. The goal of emergency preparedness  is perseverance, not mere survival, but optimal survival. All life-giving and life-sustaining resources come into the Black community from outside of our community(ies.) We should already be prepared for emergencies, but most of us are not. Emergencies are "come as you are affairs," therefore, the only way to prepare for

By Reverend Dr. D. Darrell Griffin Presented By Omni-University Hebrews 11:1,3 KJV (1)Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds  were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. The African-American community is desperately seeking relief as we try to make sense of these challenging times. In the midst of this perplexing situation, many

By Asantewaa Oppong Wadie, Ed.D. and Angela C. Davis  Presented by Omni-U Virtual University “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, a long way from home…”[1] These words may not only capture the feelings of a people physically removed from their home and wrenched apart from family, but it might also, more importantly, hint at the spiritual emptiness experienced when a traditionally matrilineal people[2] are forced to reckon with a violent patriarchal [3]religious culture.

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace  Presented by Omni-U Virtual University "When are we going to wake up from our fantasyland economic delusions? Black people in this country are the economic fodder for everyone else's well being and prosperity." James Clingman[2] We are entering the season to which most of Us look forward despite the reasons that the  "Thanksgiving” proclaimed by President  Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, is commemorated. However, for most of Us, holidays are simply reg

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-University  "I must find the truth of heritage for myself And pass it on to them, and in years to come I believe because I have armed them with the truth, My children and their children's children Will venerate me, For it is the truth that will make us free!" [1] We gather, once again, to pay tribute to our Ancestor Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs,Maa Kheru, who joined the Ancestors on November 21st, 2010. In addition to becom

By Dr. Josef Ben Levi Presented by Omni-U Virtual University  Most people who know the Bible don't know Egypt. And, most people who know Egypt, don’t know the  Bible. Since I know both fairly well, I try to close some of the knowledge gaps by showing that the claim  that “everything” in the Bible derives from Egypt is not always correct. The Ten Commandments/Book of the Dead is just one example. The Ten Commandments You’ve been told that the Ten Commandments are God’s ultimat

By Yvonne R. Jones Presented by Omni-U Virtual University  On my first trip to Africa , I was uncertain what to expect. However, I knew it would be a 21-day study tour titled “African 77” featuring Dakar, Senegal; Khartoum, Sudan; and several cities in Egypt (ancient name Kemet). The itinerary also included a stop in London, England on the return trip to the United States. [Ancestor] Dr. Anderson Thompson, a professor at the Center for Inner City Studies (CICS), Northeastern