Black History Month: February 2020 To recall and celebrate the positive contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week beginning on Feb. 12, 1926. In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month.
TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT ON
MICHAEL JORDAN
An international basketball icon, Michael Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls after his junior year at the University of North Carolina. Quickly dubbed “Air Jordan,” he led the Bulls to three consecutive NBA World Championships — but then stunned fans when he retired in '93 to try his hand at baseball. Soon enough, Jordan returned to basketball — just in time for the '95 playoffs. He led the Bulls to three more consecutive World Championships in '96, '97 and '98, before retiring again in '99. As of 2019, Fortune estimated his net worth at $1.9 billion. A virtual endorsement cash cow, no athlete has had a larger impact on the economy.
MICHAEL JORDAN TRIVIA:
Position – Guard Height – 6'6″ Birthdate – February 17, 1963, Brooklyn New York High School – Laney H.S. in Wilmington, NC College – North Carolina 1985 NBA Experience – 15 seasons Drafted – selected by Chicago in the first round (third overall) of the 1984 NBA Draft Attended the University of North Carolina and was drafted straight from school for the Bulls. Chosen in 1996 as one of the 50 greatest players of all time. Chosen by People Magazine as one of “The Most Intriguing People of the Century” in 1997. Made People Magazine's “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” in 1991. In 1999, ESPN voted him “The Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century.” Jordan's father was murdered while sleeping in his car, leading Jordan to his first retirement in 1993. Won two Olympic gold medals in men's basketball in 1984 and 1992. Was paid more than $30 million for his last season with the Bulls in 1999. Began shaving his head when he started to go bald. Buys custom-tailored shirts monogrammed with “Michael” or “MJ.” Has a tattoo of the Greek letter Omega over his heart, representing the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, of which he is a member. Has played in 1,072 games, and finished his career with 32,292 points scored — the third highest in league history Jordan is 6'6″ tall. Was the NBA World Champion 6 times, in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998. In 2000, he was named part owner and director of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards basketball team. Fired by the Washington Wizards in 2003 due to player dissent, the team finishing 37-45 two years in a row, and dissonance in the organization involving Jordan's people. He got $10 million in severance. In April 2009, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Divorced Juanita Vanoy in 2006 after 17 years of marriage. They have three children together: Jeffrey, Marcus and Jasmine. Outside of his work with the Charlotte Bobcats, Jordan is involved in a number of business ventures, including several restaurants and Jordan Brand (Nike). He also does a lot for charity, including hosting the annual golf event known as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational. Jordan married 35-year-old Yvette Prieto in 2013. They are expecting their first child together in April 2014.
(Source: imdb.com, Biography.com)
PERSONAL QUOTES:
“I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying.” “I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot … when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result.” “I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” “I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results.”
TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY:
In 1936, Actor and former football player Jim Brown was born in St. Simons Island, GA. In 1938, Dr. Mary Frances Berry was born in Nashville, TN. In 1976, she became the first woman to serve as Chancellor of a large research university. In 1942, Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, was born in Monroe, LA In 1955, Little Richard sent his first audition tape to Specialty Records In 1963, Michael Jordan — arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, was born in Brooklyn, NY In 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law a $787 billion Economic Stimulus Package, his first major legislative victory. In 2014, MTV declared Beyonce the highest paid black musician of all time.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH FACT OF THE DAY
As of 2016, African-Americans made up for 13% of the nation's population. (Pewresearch.org)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Who founded Tuskegee Institute, one of the leading African-American educational institutions in America, in 1881?
A. Booker T. Washington B. George Washington Carver C. Frederick Douglass
The answer is A: Booker T. Washington.
(source: infoplease.com)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: HUEY P. NEWTON
Huey Percy Newton was an American political and urban activist who — along with Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. Newton was born on February 17, 1942 in Monroe, Louisiana. He was the youngest of seven kids. His dad was an active member of the NAACP.
At Merritt College in Oakland, California, Newton met Bobby Seale and in 1966 they formed the Black Panther Party. The group was initially established to protect local communities from police brutality and racism — but it developed into a Marxist revolutionary group.
The Black Panthers also ran medical clinics and provided free food to schoolchildren. Other important members included Carmichael, H. Rap Brown,Fred Hampton, Bobby Hutton and Eldridge Cleaver. The Black Panthers came to the attention of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. Hoover described the Panthers as “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country and in November 1968, ordered the FBI toe employ “hard-hitting counter-intelligence measures to cripple the Black Panthers. In 1967, Newton was arrested and charged with killing an Oakland police officer during a dispute, which lead to a much publicized “Free Huey” campaign organized by the Panthers. Newton's 1968 conviction was overturned due to procedural errors. After being released from prison, he renounced political violence. He started to concentrate on socialist community programs like free breakfasts for children, free medical clinics and helping the homeless. The Panthers also became involved in conventional politics and in 1973 Bobby Seale ran for mayor of Oakland. In 1973 Newton escaped other criminal charges by fleeing to Cuba; he returned in 1977 and in 1980 earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of California. Newton was shot and killed in 1989 in Oakland.