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Ready to embark on a journey that will transform your family's understanding of Black history? We're about to take you on an incredible adventure through 15 destinations that bring our rich heritage to life! These aren't just tourist spots—they're sacred spaces where our ancestors walked, fought, created, and triumphed. Pack your bags, family, because we're going on a heritage journey that will change everything!
The Deep South: Where Our Civil Rights Story Comes Alive
1. Montgomery, Alabama – The Heart of the Movement
Y'all, Montgomery is absolutely ESSENTIAL for every Black family! The Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice will leave you speechless. We're talking about holographic characters telling the real stories of slavery, Jim Crow, and mass incarceration. Your kids will never forget walking through 6 acres dedicated to the 4,400+ Black lives brutally taken between 1877-1950.
Don't miss the Civil Rights Trail here! Walk where Rosa Parks took her stand, visit Dr. King's church, and feel the power of our movement. This is where history happened, family!
2. Selma, Alabama – Cross That Bridge!
We cannot stress this enough – walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge is a transformative experience! Your family will feel the courage it took for our people to march for voting rights. The National Voting Rights Museum celebrates the everyday heroes who changed America. Ready to walk in their footsteps?
3. Tulsa, Oklahoma – Resilience Personified
Mount Zion Baptist Church in the Greenwood neighborhood tells one of our most powerful stories of resilience. Destroyed during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, this church was rebuilt in 1952 as a testament to our unbreakable spirit. We are loving how this destination shows our strength!
Northeast Treasures: Our Colonial and Revolutionary Heritage
4. Boston, Massachusetts – Revolutionary Black History
The Boston African American National Historic Site is absolutely incredible! Fifteen Civil War-era structures in Beacon Hill connect you to our colonial ancestors. The African Meeting House—the oldest African American church building still standing—will give your family chills. We're talking about real history here, people!
5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Where Freedom Was Born
Independence Hall and the President's House site reveal the untold stories of enslaved individuals who lived and worked in the presidential residence. Your kids need to know that our people were there from the very beginning of this nation!
6. New York City – Cultural Capital
Three incredible experiences await your family in NYC! The Apollo Theater in Harlem showcases our musical genius, the Schomburg Center holds the world's largest collection of Black history materials, and the African Burial Ground National Monument honors our ancestors buried in Lower Manhattan. We are so excited for families to explore all three!
Southern Coastal Gems: Culture and Heritage by the Sea
7. Charleston, South Carolina – Gullah Culture Lives
This is where our West African heritage stayed strong! Charleston's Gullah culture, historic plantations with honest slavery interpretations, and the Old Slave Mart Museum provide essential education about our coastal ancestors. Ready to connect with your roots?
8. Savannah, Georgia – Sacred Spaces
The First African Baptist Church—one of our oldest congregations in North America—plus the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum make Savannah a must-visit. We're talking about churches founded in the 1700s, family!
9. Jacksonville, Florida – American Beach
Here's a hidden gem we absolutely love! American Beach was the only refuge for Black families during Jim Crow, purchased by the Black-owned Afro-American Life Insurance Company in the 1930s. Through the 1950s, this was our peaceful vacation paradise when we couldn't go anywhere else. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001—this beach has stories to tell!
Musical Heritage and Cultural Capitals
10. New Orleans, Louisiana – The Birthplace of Jazz
Y'all know we had to include NOLA! Congo Square is where our ancestors gathered and created the music that changed the world. The Backstreet Cultural Museum and the vibrant music scene showcase how our creativity transformed American culture. Ready for some musical education with your family?
11. Memphis, Tennessee – Where Dreams and Tragedy Collided
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Walk through Dr. King's final days, explore Beale Street's musical heritage, and visit Sun Studio where our artists launched careers that changed music forever. This destination will move your entire family!
12. Detroit, Michigan – Motown Magic
The Motown Museum is pure joy! Studio A, where our legends recorded hits that topped charts worldwide, shows how Black creativity built an empire. Your kids will leave singing and dancing—we guarantee it!
Pioneering Women and Economic Empowerment
13. Richmond, Virginia – Banking on Black Excellence
Meet Maggie L Walker—the first Black woman to found a bank! The Maggie L Walker National Site celebrates this incredible entrepreneur who advocated for economic empowerment in our community. Our girls especially need to see this powerful example!
Surprising Heritage Destinations
14. Boise, Idaho – Hidden Black History
Plot twist! The Idaho Black History Museum in a historic Black Baptist church reveals how our people shaped the American West. Black miners, ranchers, and cowboys built Idaho's culture and used the state as an escape route from the South post-Civil War. Who knew Idaho had such rich Black history?
15. Paris, France – International Black Excellence
Here's something special for adventurous families! Since the early 1900s, Paris has welcomed African American artists, musicians, and writers. Tours explore our expat communities past and present, showing how our people found freedom and recognition abroad when America wouldn't give it to us. Ready for an international perspective on our heritage?
Planning Your Heritage Journey: Let's Make This Happen!
We're so excited for your family's adventure! These destinations offer dynamic, transformative experiences that will shape how your children understand their heritage. Combine historical exploration with interactive exhibits—entertainment and education together create the most memorable experiences.
Here's what we recommend: Start with destinations closest to you, then plan longer trips to cover multiple sites. Document everything! Take photos, keep journals, and share your experiences with our community—we want to hear about your heritage journey!
Ready to transform your family's connection to history? These 15 destinations are waiting to welcome you home to the full story of Black excellence, resilience, and triumph. Our ancestors' stories are calling—will you answer?
Which destination will you visit first? Drop us a comment and let our community know about your heritage travel plans! We're here to support each other on this incredible journey through our shared history!
Let's be honest – you've probably noticed that your child's school isn't giving Black history the attention it deserves. Maybe it's rushed through in February, or maybe it's barely mentioned at all. Sound familiar? You're not alone!
But here's the good news: You can absolutely fill those gaps at home, and it doesn't have to take hours of your day. With just 10 minutes daily, you can give your children a rich, meaningful understanding of Black history that will stick with them for life.
Ready to get started? Let's dive in! 🎉
Start With Stories That Hit Home
The most powerful way to teach Black history? Make it personal! You don't need to be a history teacher – you just need to be a storyteller.
Begin with your own family's stories. Maybe your grandmother told you about her experiences during the Civil Rights Movement, or perhaps your grandfather served in World War II. These personal connections are GOLD because they make history feel real and relevant rather than like something that happened to "other people" long ago.
Don't have family stories readily available? No worries! You can adopt the stories of prominent figures and present them as relatable human experiences. The key is helping your children see these historical figures as real people who faced challenges, made mistakes, and achieved incredible things – just like they can too.
Your Week-by-Week Game Plan (Just 10 Minutes Each Day!)
Ready for some structure? Here's how to break down your week so each day builds on the last:
Monday Spotlights 🌟
Start your week by highlighting one Black leader, scientist, or innovator. Spend those 10 minutes reading about someone amazing – maybe Katherine Johnson (the mathematician who helped send astronauts to space) or George Washington Carver (who revolutionized agriculture).
Pro tip: Focus on the lesser-known inventors whose everyday innovations made our lives better. Did you know that Black inventors created the mop, dustpan, fountain pen, pencil sharpener, eggbeater, and ironing board? Your kids will be amazed!
Timeline Tuesdays 📅
Connect Black history to the bigger picture! When you're discussing World War I or II, naturally include the contributions of African-American soldiers and the Tuskegee Airmen. Remember – white and Black history exist on the SAME timeline, so weave them together!
Wonder Wednesdays 🔬
Dive into the world of science and innovation! Explore famous Black scientists and their contributions to chemistry, mathematics, medicine, and technology. Create simple discussions about how their work continues to impact our lives today.
Creative Thursdays 🎨
Make it fun! Engage with Black history through art, music, or writing activities. Your kids can write short stories, create artwork inspired by civil rights posters, or even put together simple crossword puzzles about what they've learned.
Future Fridays ⏰
Connect the past to today! Discuss how historical events and figures relate to current events and contemporary life. This helps children understand that history isn't just about the past – it's about understanding our present and shaping our future.
Tools That Make Learning FUN
You don't need fancy equipment or expensive materials. Here are some accessible resources that pack a punch:
Books That Captivate
Dedicate time to reading children's books about civil rights leaders and stories by African-American authors. This builds both historical knowledge AND literacy skills at the same time – talk about efficiency!
Games and Activities
Use Black history games, printable activities, and puzzles that test knowledge of key figures, important events, and cultural contributions. These are particularly effective for students in grades 4-8, but you can easily adapt them for younger or older kids.
Screen Time That Counts
Yes, we're giving you permission to use some screen time for education! Documentary clips, educational videos, and age-appropriate films can bring historical events to life in ways that capture children's attention like nothing else.
Age-Appropriate Approaches (Because One Size Doesn't Fit All!)
For Your Little Ones (Preschool – Elementary)
Keep it positive and inspiring! Focus on helping hands projects, coloring activities, and simple stories about historical figures. Emphasize the amazing contributions rather than dwelling on traumatic aspects of history.
Remember – you're planting seeds of curiosity and pride that will grow as they do!
For Your Older Kids (Middle School – High School)
Now you can go deeper! Encourage research projects, critical thinking about historical events, and making connections between past and present. Challenge them to create their own lists of influential Black innovators in fields they're interested in.
Ask them questions like: "How do you think this historical event influences what we see happening today?" Get them thinking!
Why February Isn't Enough (And You Know It!)
Here's something that might surprise you: Teaching Black history in just one month is actually doing your children a disservice. One month "denies the in-depth knowledge needed to inspire" real understanding and appreciation.
By incorporating these daily 10-minute sessions year-round, your children will develop comprehensive knowledge rather than a superficial overview. Plus, you'll avoid that rushed, checkbox mentality that unfortunately characterizes many school approaches.
Think about it – would you teach math for only one month out of the year? Of course not! Black history deserves the same consistent attention.
Finding Your Village
Remember, you don't have to do this alone! When you need additional guidance or resources, reach out to:
Cultural experts in your community
Local librarians (they're treasure troves of knowledge!)
Museums with educational programs
Community centers with cultural programming
Other parents who are on the same journey
Many communities have resources specifically designed for families wanting to supplement their children's education at home. Don't be shy about asking for help – we're all in this together! 💪
Making It Stick (The Real Goal)
The ultimate goal isn't just to fill your child's head with facts and dates. You want them to understand "who they are, what their ancestors have accomplished, and where they are going."
Through consistent daily engagement – yes, even those brief 10-minute sessions! – you can build a rich understanding of Black history that many traditional educational settings fail to provide. You're not just teaching history; you're:
Building confidence and cultural pride
Developing critical thinking skills
Fostering curiosity about learning
Creating family bonding time
Filling educational gaps that schools leave behind
Your Action Plan Starts NOW!
Ready to transform those 10 minutes into something powerful? Here's what you can do RIGHT NOW:
Choose your starting day – Why not tomorrow?
Pick one resource to begin with (a book, website, or video)
Set a consistent time – maybe right after dinner or before bedtime
Tell your kids what you're planning – get them excited!
Start with one story – maybe about someone who shares their interests
Remember, consistency beats perfection every single time. Even if you miss a day here and there, keep going! Your efforts are making a real difference.
We'd LOVE to hear how this goes for your family! Please take a minute to email us your experiences, challenges, or success stories. Your journey might inspire another parent to take that first step too.
What Black history figure are you most excited to explore with your children first? Let us know – we're rooting for you! 🎉
Want more resources to support your home education journey? Check out our educational materials and games designed specifically for families like yours who are committed to comprehensive, engaging learning at home.
Trump Wants Museums to Downplay Slavery: Erasing Black Pain to Rewrite America’s Past
Donald Trump has a new target in his war on truth: the Smithsonian.
On Tuesday, Trump announced that he has ordered his attorneys to begin a review of Smithsonian museums, attacking them for focusing “too much” on slavery and the painful realities of America’s past. In his words, the museums make the United States look “horrible” by showing “how bad Slavery was.”
According to a White House official, Trump doesn’t plan to stop at the Smithsonian. He intends to extend this campaign to other museums, threatening to strip away honest historical narratives in favor of what he calls a less “woke” version of history.
“The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
For Trump, acknowledging centuries of brutality, oppression, and resistance in America isn’t patriotism — it’s a threat to his vision of a sanitized, government-approved history.
A Direct Attack on Black History
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture was specifically mentioned in reports, with artifacts like Harriet Tubman’s hymn-filled book already removed earlier this year. Trump’s plan includes enforcing “content corrections” across museums — replacing so-called “divisive” language with narratives that fit his administration’s agenda.
This comes just as the U.S. prepares for its 250th anniversary. Rather than reflect honestly on the past, Trump’s goal is to whitewash it — ensuring that future generations see slavery, segregation, and systemic racism as side notes instead of central truths of America’s story.
The Bigger Pattern
This assault on the Smithsonian mirrors Trump’s attacks on universities such as Harvard, Columbia, and Brown. His administration has already pulled millions in federal funding, forced schools to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and even demanded cash “settlements” from institutions.
Now, Trump is applying the same playbook to museums: weaponize funding, control the narrative, erase uncomfortable truths.
Why This Matters
History is not supposed to make people comfortable. It’s supposed to make people think. When Trump demands museums focus less on slavery, what he’s really saying is: Erase the horrors, silence the voices, and rewrite the story.
If we allow this to happen, Black pain and resilience will be pushed into the shadows — while future generations grow up learning a history stripped of truth, justice, and context.
The Smithsonian is the largest museum complex in the world, funded largely by taxpayers but traditionally independent in curating exhibits. If political pressure succeeds in controlling it, no historical institution will be safe.
Final Word
Trump’s attack on the Smithsonian isn’t just politics — it’s cultural warfare. It’s an attempt to tell our children that slavery wasn’t “that bad,” that the horrors of systemic racism don’t deserve the spotlight, and that America’s future depends on forgetting its past.
At Urban Intellectuals, we know that forgetting is not an option. If we don’t defend the truth of our history, someone else will rewrite it for us.
💥 On March 27, 2025, Donald Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” Sounds harmless—until you read between the lines.
Because what it really says is: 📉 Erase the ugly truths. 🧼 Whitewash the story. 🚫 Silence the resistance.
Behind the patriotic language lies a dangerous mission: to make America’s past palatable, comfortable, and white enough for mainstream museums and classrooms. Let’s break down what’s really happening.
1. They Want to “Correct” History—But Only Their Version of It
📜 The order calls for “correcting historical inaccuracies,” but fails to define what that means. 💥 Translation: erase anything that disrupts white American mythology.
2. Black Trauma Is Labeled “Divisive”
😢 The order suggests removing content that causes “psychological distress or division.” 💥 So… lynching, slavery, redlining, COINTELPRO? Too uncomfortable to discuss?
3. The 1619 Project Is a Target
📚 Though not mentioned by name, Trump’s allies have repeatedly called to ban it. 💥 Because the idea that America began with Black labor, not white freedom, is too real for them.
4. Indigenous Genocide? Omitted by Design
🪶 The order says history should promote “unity and shared purpose.” 💥 Nothing unites like silence, right? Native erasure continues.
5. They Want “Heroism,” Not Truth
🦅 The document promotes “heroic” interpretations of American figures. 💥 Translation: slaveholders, colonizers, and warmongers get statues—not context.
6. The Language Mirrors Anti-CRT Talking Points
📢 Words like “indoctrination,” “woke,” and “anti-American” echo the culture war’s greatest hits. 💥 This ain’t about education. It’s about silencing resistance.
7. There’s No Mention of Reparations, Redress, or Responsibility
💸 Not a single word on how to repair the damage of past injustice—just “move on.” 💥 Gaslight. Erase. Repeat.
8. Public Funding Is Being Weaponized
🏛️ Museums and institutions that don’t comply risk losing support. 💥 Obey the myth—or get defunded. It’s historical extortion.
9. They Want to “Restore Pride”—But for Who?
🇺🇸 Pride in what? Slavery? Segregation? Imperialism? 💥 Their version of pride demands our silence and submission.
10. This Is About Power—Not Preservation
🧠 Controlling history means controlling identity, education, and ultimately, the future. 💥 If you can rewrite the past, you can rewrite reality.
🧨 They’re Not Just Erasing History—They’re Rewriting the Blueprint of Oppression
This isn’t about statues, museums, or textbooks. It’s about psychological warfare. Because if they control the story, they control the soul of this country.
But we refuse to be erased.
🖤 URBAN INTELLECTUALS: EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE
🔥 We don’t make excuses. We make corrections.
🚨 That’s why we’re gathering the truth-tellers, historians, and community leaders for the Juneteenth Black History Summit.
🗓️ Wednesday, June 19 | 12–3 PM EST | Live on Zoom 📚 Discover the REAL story of freedom, resistance, and how we reclaim it. 🎤 Featuring: Dr. Chike Akua, Gina Paige, Jay Cameron, Gwen Ebron, Dr. John Aden & Freddie Taylor
The African American History Museum in Washington, D.C.—fondly nicknamed The Blacksonian—is a stunning achievement. From its architecture to the wealth of artifacts and immersive exhibits, it’s a place every member of the African Diaspora should experience.
But after spending over six hours exploring its halls, I left with a sense of awe and frustration.
Here’s my main gripe: Why does this museum start Black history with slavery?
A Dangerous Narrative
Slavery isn’t Black history—it’s an interruption of Black history. Yet, the Blacksonian begins its narrative in the 1400s with the transatlantic slave genocide. This skips over thousands of years of African excellence, innovation, and contributions to humanity.
Where are the stories of:
The empires of Mali, Songhai, and Benin?
The intellectual brilliance of Timbuktu’s universities?
The advancements in science, mathematics, and engineering from ancient Kemet to Ethiopia?
These are the stories that inspire. These are the truths that connect us to a legacy far greater than the trauma of enslavement.
Instead, the museum reinforces a narrative of dependency—painting our ancestors as victims without celebrating the brilliance and resilience they possessed before the world’s greatest holocaust.
A Call for Change
This isn’t just about correcting a museum display—it’s about rewriting the narrative for our children, our communities, and the world.
We need a Blacksonian that tells the whole story:
The legacy of African civilizations before the European invasions.
The intellectual property, skills, and culture that were stolen from Africa along with its people.
The unbroken spirit of those who endured and rebuilt.
That’s why I’m calling for a letter-writing campaign to demand a fuller, richer history be included in this important institution.
What’s Next?
Let’s be clear—the African American History Museum is an incredible space, and I encourage everyone to visit. But we can’t settle for a narrative that starts at the lowest point of our history.
📖 Want to learn the real story of our people? Check out Urban Intellectuals’ Black History Flashcards, which explore African excellence from 35,000 BCE to today: Black History Flashcards Here
📲 Join the Conversation: I’m inviting YOU to share your thoughts and join the discussion over on Sankofa Universe, our mission-driven social media network: Sankofa Universe
Together, we can ensure future generations learn the truth—not just the parts history books want us to know.
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