Features:
UMOJA Publisher/Editor: The Continuing Importance of Black History Month
It’s Black History Month, a federally recognized, nationwide celebration that calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant contributions African Americans have played in shaping U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison Inspires a New Generation of Trailblazers
As a graduate student in environmental engineering, Coty Weathersby makes a point of connecting with other women in STEM fields for support and inspiration, especially women of color like herself.
Art Matters: Portraits in Urban Bubble Exhibit Encourages Love of Self
Dakwon Sanders admits the thought of seeing, breathing and feeling ocean waves has only been a dream. When an art teacher encouraged him to paint his “happy place” on canvas, he did so, sparking a desire within him to see his dream become a reality.
A Slice of Broadway Comes to Madison: Theatrical Star Brings Her Talents to the Overture Center in The Color Purple
The Color Purple is a 1982 epistolary novel by Alice Walker which won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction. This epic story about a young woman’s journey of love and triumph was later adapted into a film and musical of the same name.
Calling all artists!
Put your artwork on a UMOJA cover! Works selected will fit the monthly editorial topic and reflect the county’s unique stories, history, and people.
UMOJA Inside:
Cover Artwork
Cover: Legacies Artist: Jerry Jordan Purplehood2@gmail.com Left top row: Henry Sanders, Publisher and CEO of Madison365 Kaleem Caire, Founder and CEO of One City Schools Drs. Perry & Virginia Henderson,Philanthropists and Community Leaders Hon. Everett Mitchell, Dane Co. Circuit Court Judge and Pastor of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church Rev. James C. Wright, Late [...]
Publishers Note
UMOJA Publisher/Editor: The Continuing Importance of Black History Month
It’s Black History Month, a federally recognized, nationwide celebration that calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant contributions African Americans have played in shaping U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
Feature
Meet the Artist Behind ‘Legacies’: One of the Most Photographed Murals in Madison
Jerry Jordan’s rich and riveting imagery of the monumental moments in modern African American life give art aficionados something they can feel.
Feature
Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison Inspires a New Generation of Trailblazers
As a graduate student in environmental engineering, Coty Weathersby makes a point of connecting with other women in STEM fields for support and inspiration, especially women of color like herself.
Feature
Art Matters: Portraits in Urban Bubble Exhibit Encourages Love of Self
Dakwon Sanders admits the thought of seeing, breathing and feeling ocean waves has only been a dream. When an art teacher encouraged him to paint his “happy place” on canvas, he did so, sparking a desire within him to see his dream become a reality.
Feature
The Color Purple is a 1982 epistolary novel by Alice Walker which won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction. This epic story about a young woman’s journey of love and triumph was later adapted into a film and musical of the same name.
Community Profile & Events
Those Calling Police on Black People Living Their Lives May Pay for False Allegations
It seems racial profiling is becoming a part of daily life and new legislation has been introduced that would make biased and false crime reporting a punishable offense in Wisconsin.
Community Profile & Events
Census 2020 is Your Chance to Be Counted
This is an important year for one of the most basic functions of the constitution. We’re not talking about voting in local elections this spring or the presidential election this fall. We’re talking about the U.S. census.
Community Profile & Events
Some 20 years ago Fabu Phillis Carter toured the halls of Wisconsin’s Capitol building with Sunday school tots in tow. The majestic granite structure unveils a lavishly decorated rotunda, hand-carved furniture and exquisite glass mosaics. On tiptoes, the youngsters peered at an exact copy of the Wisconsin’s State Constitution and marveled at the replica of the Liberty Bell.
Community Profile & Events
Wisconsin’s 40th Annual MLK Tribute & Ceremony: A Celebration in Words and Music
Music and singing were critical in inspiring, mobilizing and giving voice to the civil rights movement. The anthems were the soul of the movement.
Community Profile & Events
35th Annual Madison & Dane County King Holiday Observance
Joyce Ann Ladner is living history. She was on stage during Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s iconic “I Have A Dream” speech. She stood in defiance outside the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church days after four African American girls were murdered in a bombing during church services. And she attended the funeral of her mentor and civil rights leader Medgar Evers.
Community Profile & Events
It’s barely daybreak and the wind chill has dipped well below zero. Still, more than 1,000 people bundled up to brave the cold and celebrate outstanding students who are making strides in their classrooms and communities across Dane County.
Community Profile & Events
2020 Middle School Awards from Urban League
Badger Ridge Middle School:Amari Philips, Devin Vivian, Elliott Kemp,Gift Akere, Raven Hoye, Sidney Moore. Badger Rock Middle School:Angie Gonzalez-Munoz, Ernesto Diego Miranda-Naxi, Janet Montoya-Ramirez, Lah’Nylah Bivens, Lakhiya Bates, Lluvia Montoya-Ramirez. Black Hawk Middle School:Abby Tuinstra, Fatou Ceesay, Fatou Kujabi,Jorah Gandjui, Renell Lax, Sheila Gandjui. Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School:Aisha Kebbeh, Quinton Maddox. Cherokee Middle School:Aviel [...]
Community Profile & Events
2020 High School Awards from Urban League
Capital High School:Alexandria Nava, Gloria Cornelius, Janiah Jones, Jasmine Bingham, Leitaijah Vines, Leta Samsa, Treyvon Lavell, Tyanna Ward. Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School:Brandon Jones Jr., Kiarra Cook. Clark Street Community School:Ashari Rolack, Diana Song, Eli Tedesco,Gabrielle Weber, Jasmine Shoates,Matthew Thompson Jr., Piper Kells. Deforest High School:Caleb Ekezie. East High School:Abubacarr Darboe, Gueda Daff, Jada Boyton, [...]
Community Profile & Events
34th Annual I Have A Dream Scholarship Ball: Helping Make Educational Opportunities Come True
Women In Focus, Inc. (WIF) celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with their annual Scholarship Dream Ball themed “Inspiring the Dream.”
Community Profile & Events
Madison Urban Dance Team Scales the Heights
The House Urban Arts Initiative, Inc. is Madison’s community urban arts center and it has recently organized the Dynamic Badgerettes, a prize-winning girls youth dance team.
Health & Wellness
About You and For You — National Museum of African American History and Culture
If your life experience is steeped in African American History and Culture, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is about you. If you are not steeped in African American culture but would like to learn and empathize more, the NMAAHC is for you.
Health & Wellness
A Nutritionist Explains: How to Choose the Right Protein Powder
Trying to choose the right protein powder can be a daunting task; it’s a jungle out there with so many different types, brands, flavors, and additives. The ideal protein powder can vary from person to person depending on their specific lifestyle and needs, but there are some general guidelines you can follow to sift through the many options at hand.
Health & Wellness
10 Potent Essential Oils to Boost Black Hair Health
Essential oils are practically magic. These potent, highly concentrated oils are derived from the seeds, roots, stems, bark, leaves, and flowers of plants and trees. Each EO has different properties — from calming your senses to boosting hair health — making them perfectly customizable for DIY potions, including for those targeted to black hair.
UMOJA Shorts
Angela Trudell Vasquez, Madison’s Newest Poet Laureate Angela Trudell Vasquez is Madison’s first Latina poet laureate. She will hold the volunteer position from Jan. 20, through Jan. 16, 2022, according to the Madison Common Council. The Madison Arts Commission reviewed all the nominations for poet laureate at their October 2019 meeting and made their recommendation [...]