I AM History

The Caribbean is home to and boasts many pioneering literary giants. Plenty have gone on to win worldwide literary acclaim such as Marlon James with "The Book of Night Women" and "A Brief History of Seven Killings". With writing that echoes their regions: Patois, Creole, French, Spanish and English. All have colourfully and critically examined the Caribbean experience. Here are a few of our favourites. Let us know yours. Earl Lovelace (Trinidad) | Jamaica Kincaid (Antigua) | Marlon James (Jamaica) | Maryse Condé ( Guadeloupe) | Edwidge Danticat (Haiti) | Mayra Santos-Febres (Puerto Rico) #blackhistory #blackauthors #blackbooks

Anton Wilhelm Amo (1703-1759), the first West African student to study and obtain a doctorate in Philosophy from a European University. Amo was educated at the Wolfenbüttel Ritter-Akademie and at the University of Helmstedt (1721–27). Amo, who spoke Dutch, German, French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew, went on to the University of Halle, Law School in 1727. And finally, the University of Wittenberg, in Saxony, where he became the first African to earn a doctoral degree in philosophy. His thesis "The Rights of Moors in Europe". #blackhistorymatters #blackhistoryfact #Blackhistorymonth2024 #BlackHistoryMatters #blackhistoryishistory #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistory #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryeveryday #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryfacts #blackexcellence

Francis Williams (1702-1770), Jamaican scholar, polyglot, and lyricist of Latin verse, most famous work “An Ode to George Haldane”. He came to Egland on an education sponsorship. He obtained degrees in Mathematics, Latin and Literature. Williams is reputed to be the first person of African ancestry to attend and graduate from Cambridge University, although there's no real evidence of this. We're going to go ahead with it though! #blackhistorymatters #blackhistoryfact #Blackhistorymonth2024 #BlackHistoryMatters #blackhistoryishistory #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistory #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryeveryday #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryfacts #blackexcellence

16th - 18th Century Black Historical Hidden Figure: Allessandro de Medici (1510-1537), Duke of Penne and Florentine Republic. He was made the duke of Penna by the Holy Roman emperor Charles V (1522) and was the first Medici to rule Florence as a hereditary duke (1532–37), and the last Medici from the senior line of the family to lead the city. #blackhistorymatters #blackhistoryfact #Blackhistorymonth2024 #BlackHistoryMatters #blackhistoryishistory #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistory #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryeveryday #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryfacts #blackexcellence

Black women in glam have never looked so good, thanks to the likes of brands such as Fenty and Pat MacGrath. But who was the original game changer - the creator of makeup specifically for dark skin? It goes all the way back to Anthony Overton in the early 1900s, who created the first clinically safe foundation called Overton’s High Brown. Take a brief trip to the 1900s to present day to find out who else got us looking so incredibly flawless! #blackhistoryishistory #blackbusinesses #blackentrepreneurs #blackhistory

Happy Independence Day Jamaica! On August 6th 1962, Jamaica gained independence from Britain, making it the first Caribbean island under British rule to do so. In the 1920s, the final rebellion between Jamaica and the British colony began. Marcus Garvey, Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley were key figures in leading this stage of gaining Jamaican Independence. They led in galvanising a growing sense of nationalism and self-determination among the Jamaican people faced with economic hardship, social inequality, and political unrest. There was a pulsating desire for Jamaica to control its own destiny. The first phase of the movement towards self-government and independence included the founding of the Jamaican Labour Party in 1943, which allowed people of all backgrounds eligibility to vote. Eventually, leading to the country's independence in 1962. #jamaicaindependence #blackhistoryishistory #blackhistory

Celebrating the life of American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin, on what would have been his 100th birthday. Born in Harlem in 1924, Baldwin profoundly articulated the complexity of race in America through his writings and as a leading spokesperson for the civil rights movement. He broke societal norms of the time, being one of the first Black writers to feature a queer love story in his second novel Giovanni's Room in 1956. His most iconic work is widely considered to be his semi-autobiographical novel Go Tell it on the Mountain. Baldwin died at the age of 63 in 1987 in France but lives on as an icon. Check out our latest article on this master of prose and some of his most iconic quotes. #Jamesbaldwin ##blackhistory #literature ##blackwriters

The 2024 Paris Olympics kicks off today and we’re excited to see who will be taking gold in some of our fave events. Throughout the history of the games there have been symbolic, jaw-dropping and tear- jerking gold winning moments by Black athletes that have made the Olympics the spectacle that it is. As we gear up to the Olympics, we revisit the podium moments from some of the greatest athletes to ever live. From Jesse Owens' historic stand against racism at the 1936 Berlin Olympics to Usain Bolt's lightning dominance on the track. To Flo-Jo’s style and speed to Abebe Bikila’s iconic and record breaking win in 1960. https://lnkd.in/eZRS-GGB #Olympics #Blackhistory #ParisOlympics

With the release of cowboycarter earlier this year, we did a little digging to find out how Black people contributed to the prolific cowboy era of the 1800s. Turns out, quite significantly. The Wild West has been depicted with lens that doesn't capture its true picture. Click the link to discover the history of Black cowboys. #blackhistory #blackhistoryishistory #blackcowboys

We love the cultural richness of the Harlem Renaissance. Even though it only lasted twenty years, its impact and influence have resonated for nearly a century. Exceptional Black talents like W.E.B.DuBois, #MarcusGarvey, and #JosephineBaker, redefined Blackness: Black pride, Black power, Black love during this era. Sit back, grab a beverage, and get to know the icons of the Harlem Renaissance. Don’t forget to save and share! #HarlemRenaissance #BlackCulture #Legacy #blackhistoryishistory #blackcultureisculture #blackiconsareicons