BrownSuga's Sweet spot: A lil' known black history fact x 5

Every year we celebrate Black History month. I am one of those people who enjoys learning about Black history anytime of the year (but during February you can throw it in people's faces and they have to smile j/k). For so many years blacks were oppressed and denied basic human rights, that when you hear about someone who accomplished anything in spite of the racial injustice it makes you feel good. And the amazing and also sad thing is that today people are still making history. In 2007 there are still things that when done by a black man or woman will make the news. For instance, Tony Dungy is the first black head coach in the NFL to win a Superbowl. And him and Lovie Smith were the first ever to even make it to the Superbowl. But here are 5 others who you might not have heard of, but made it a point to overcome oppression or do something different, all in interesting ways. Enjoy!

1. Cathay Williams (b. 1842) Born into slavery, Williams was freed by Union soldiers during the Civil War. Until November of 1866 she worked as a paid servant for the Army. But wanting financial independence she decided to join the Army instead. Obviously women weren't allowed to join the army, so she pretended to be a man, William Cathay (lucky for her medical examinations weren't enforced yet). She became the first female Buffalo Soldier in the Thirty-eighth United States Infantry, Company A. In 1868, just two years after enlisting, Williams grew tired of military life and feigned illness. When the doctors checked her out, and found her to be a she and not a he, she was discharged.

2. Thomas L. Jennings (b. 1791) Jennings was the first African American to hold a United States patent. A tailor from New York, Jennings' patent was for a dry-cleaning process. He was issued the patent in 1821. With the money he earned from his invention, Jennings helped fund abolitionist causes.

3. Jasmine Lawerence (b. 15 years ago) Yup, just 15 years old, this amazing entrepreneur is taking hair to the next level. Madame C.J. Walker introduced black women to hot combs, processing and other chemicals. Miss Lawerence is introducing the black community to all natural products to create the same result. Many of us have had that relaxer that took out more than expected, including Jasmine, and now she is trying to help others before it happens to them. Check out her stuff Eden Body Works coming to a Wal-mart shelf near you.

4. Dr. Vivien Thomas (b. 1910) His name might not sound familiar but his work is everlasting. Dr. Thomas was a surgical technician in the 30's, 40's and 50's. Working along side Dr. Alfred Blalock, they made huge advances with issues like Blue Baby Syndrome and other extensive cardiac techniques. In 1946, Thomas developed a technique for improving circulation in patients whose great vessels were transposed. Called an atrial septectomy, the procedure was executed so flawlessly by Thomas that Blalock, upon examining the nearly indetectable suture line, was prompted to remark, "Vivien, this looks like something the Lord made." And that may ring a bell because in 2004 HBO Films made the documentary Something the Lord Made starring Mos Def (one of my favorite actors and lyrists) and Alan Rickman (another favorite actor of mine). For me this story is especially personal because my grandfather was in the same boat as Vivien Thomas. Not everyone gets a movie about their life, but the breakthroughs they made are enough.

5. Gwyn Mackenzie (b. 1998) Not completely sure about this child's heritage but her talent transcends race. At eight years old, this adorable little girl is singing arias in 4 different languages. She began singing and playing the piano at age 3. "When I first started it just, like, came out and I was like, 'Ooh, I like this,'" she says of opera and it's beautiful tones. Already featured on Oprah and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, she's just getting started. And for those who don't even enjoy opera, listening and watching this little girl belt out those notes is simply amazing.


All amazing people. Do what I do and take the time to find out about some a little lesser known than Martin Luther King Jr or Harriet Tubman. Simply amazing.