Category: February
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Mother Mary Lange: A Pioneer of Faith, Education, and Courage
Mother Mary Lange: A Pioneer of Faith, Education, and Courage Mother Mary Lange stands as one of the most remarkable women in American Catholic history. As the foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence—the first sustained religious order for women of African descent in the United States—she transformed education, faith formation, and community life for…
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Fats Waller: The Joyful Genius of Jazz
Fats Waller: The Joyful Genius of Jazz Few musicians have ever radiated joy the way Thomas “Fats” Waller did. A master pianist, organist, composer, singer, and entertainer, Waller helped define the sound of early jazz and stride piano. His music carried humor, brilliance, and soul—an irresistible combination that made him one of the most beloved…
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Muhammed Ali: A Champion in the Ring and a Voice for Justice
Muhammad Ali, an iconic boxer and humanitarian, championed justice, courage, and resilience, inspiring global change beyond sports.
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Bass Reeves: A Giant of Justice in the American West
Bass Reeves: A Giant of Justice in the American West Few figures in American history embody courage, integrity, and resilience like Bass Reeves, one of the first Black deputy U.S. marshals west of the Mississippi River. His life—spanning enslavement, frontier law enforcement, and a legacy that still inspires—offers a powerful story for Black History Month.…
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Augustus Tolton: First Black Catholic Priest in America
John Augustus Tolton, baptized Augustine, was born on April 1, 1854, and died on July 9, 1897. He was an African American Catholic and the first openly Black Catholic priest in the United States, ordained in Rome in 1886. Before him came the Healy brothers, Catholic priests who passed as White. Born into slavery in…
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Maya Angelou: An American author
Maya Angelou (April 4,1928-May 28, 2014) is an American author, poet, playwright, editor, actress, director, and teacher. She is best known for the first installment of her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970). This work tells the story of a black girl growing up during the Great Depression. Angelou continued to chronicle…
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The Life and Legacy of Sister Thea Bowman
Mary Thea Bowman, FSPA (born Bertha Elizabeth Bowman; December 29, 1937 – March 30, 1990) was a Black Catholic religious sister, teacher, musician, liturgist and scholar who contributed to the ministry of the Catholic Church toward African Americans. She became an evangelist among her people, assisted in the production of an African-American Catholic hymnal, and was a popular speaker on faith and spirituality in her final years, in addition to…
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The Life and Legacy of Louis Armstrong
Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), better known as “Satchmo,” “Satch,” or “Pops,” was a legendary American jazz and blues trumpeter and singer. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz, his career stretched over five decades, covering several key eras in the genre’s history. He earned countless…
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Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14, is a time when people exchange greeting cards called valentines with their sweethearts, friends, and family. Some valentines have romantic verses, while others feature funny pictures or sayings, often with the phrase “Be my valentine.” In the weeks leading up to the day, stores fill with valentines and festive…
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History of Valentine’s Day
History of Valentine’s DayBeginnings Different authorities believe Valentine’s Day began in various ways. Valentine’s Day probably came from a combination of all three of those sources-plus the belief that spring is a time for lovers. In Norman French, a language spoken in Normandy during the Middle Ages, the word galantine sounds like Valentine and means…