The island of Nantucket, once known as the “Whaling Capital” of the world, is featured in Herman Melville’s classic novel, “Moby Dick.” Melville’s fictional and infamous whaling ship, Pequod, was home ported in Nantucket.
The first Brant Point Lighthouse in Nantucket was built in 1746 after Sea Captains demanded a lighthouse to protect their investments.
Captains Prince Boston, Absalom Boston and Edward Pompey are a few of the known African American Whaling Captains.
It is in the nature of a child to dream. Adults sometimes dismiss these dreams as wishful thinking forgetting they once had childhood dreams.
As planes flew over his family farm in Georgia, Donnie Cochran began dreaming of becoming a pilot. The farm seemed to beckon the aircraft. Because the planes’ flight path was over the farm, the daily sighting became a ritual.
When he became older he pursued his dream and became a Navy pilot. The challenge of flying the fighter and flying off a Navy ship inspired him. In 1976, he graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy.
In 1986, Commander Donnie Cochran became the first African American to become a member of the Blue Angel Flight team. He also made history in 1995 and 1996 by becoming the first African American Blue Angels commanding officer.
Enslaved Black people often fulfilled the duties of a light keeper. They filled in when the light keeper was absent or sick.
In 1836, an elderly African American woman assisted in the keeping of St. Simons Lighthouse. She served while the lighthouse keeper was incapacitated with grout. James Gould was the Head Light Keeper during that time. He was the builder and first keeper at St. Simons Lighthouse.
Every President since Gerald Ford has declared February as Black History Month and proclaimed a theme. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness.
Kizzmekia Corbett, an African American, is praised as the scientist behind the Covid vaccine. Corbett made headlines when she was part of a team that met with President Trump at the National Health Institute. “Corbett said that her participation during that event marked an important step forward for young scientists and people of color.”
She has a track record of excellence. When Corbett was a student she was selected for the Project Seed Project. The program for gifted minority students gave her the opportunity to study chemistry labs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Afterwards she received a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. During the summer, she earned an internship at the NIH.
After graduation began her doctoral studies at Chapel Hill. She worked as a research assistant studying viral infections. She received her PhD in microbiology and immunology.
Time honored her as “Hero of the Year” for her leadership in developing the Covid Vaccine.
“Dear Jackson,
I hear you’re having trouble in school. Forget about that place. Why don’t you join me in New York? If you’re serious about becoming an artist, this is the place to be anyway. You can study at the Art Students League….”
Jackson Pollock is the most challenging and influential American artist of the 20th century. He was the “first action” painter, meaning he would drip, pour, throw, and splash his paint onto very large canvases which he laid flat on the floor. He is nicknamed “Jack the Dripper.”
He was born in Cody, Wyoming and grew up in Arizona and California. He studied painting at Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles. He dropped out after being encouraged to move to New York by his older brother. He studied under Thomas Hart at the Art Students League.
The United Nations has set aside January 27 as International Holocaust Day. It is the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of 7,000 prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet Troops.
We love stories about the underdog. Seeing others overcome incredible odds empowers us. Perhaps that explains the appeal many have for super heroes. But there lies within us the same power. It is often during a crisis we harness the super hero within us.
Two years after moving to Miami, Barbara Capitman’s husband died. Instead of packing up her bags and feeling sorry for herself she decided to make new friends and help others. She looked at Miami Beach and saw the old boarded up buildings and the needy people living in them. Developers only saw the buildings and wanted to tear them down.
Barbara Capitman fought developers and city officials “tooth and nail” to preserve the historical buildings. She briefly laid in front of bulldozers to block demolition of a building. She literally laid down her life for the buildings in Miami Beach.
If not for Capitman’s vision, fortitude and perseverance, there would not be an Art Deco District. It was the first 20th century neighborhood placed on the National Register of Historic Places much to her efforts.
The State of Maine has a great kids website complete with games, coloring sheets and interesting programs and fun facts about Maine’s wildlife.
While Maine is famous for lobster, Maine has a variety of black bears, moose, puffin, etc. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has compiled a list of fun animal tracks for bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes and more for children to explore.
There are a variety of cool programs for youth. During Indigenous Heritage Month, Maine offers a Native American Essay Program for Maine’s student residents. Essays are reviewed by a panel of judges, who will select top entries for middle and high schoolers. Deadline for submission is November 12.
Indigenous Heritage Month is a celebration of the contributions and achievements of the people of Indigenous descent and Native Americans.
Charles Vanderhoop, a member of the Wampanoag tribe, served as assistant light keeper at Gay Head Lighthouse from 1913-1919. In 1919 Vanderhoop possibly became the first Native American Head Light Keeper while serving at Sankaty Lighthouse. He returned in 1920 as the Head Light Keeper of Gay Head.
I enjoy watching Star Trek mostly because of the dialogue. The series is replete with powerful quotes like this one: “Death is the Ultimate Character Test.”
I thought about this quote as I watched the Memorial Service for Colin Powell. His son Micheal Powell said that “We can’t emulate the resume of Colin Powell but we can emulate his eulogy.” That’s striking because our family members know us best. Colin Powell left a profound impression on his son that was exemplified in his personal and public life.
Just like the rest of us, Colin Powell had his flaws. But he was able to admit them.
At his core he was a thoughtful, kind and compassionate leader.
Multicultural Art 4 Kids 