In January, 1969, the Free Breakfast for School Children Program was initiated at St. Augustine's Church in Oakland by the Black Panther Party. The Panthers would cook and serve food to the poor inner city youth of the area. Initially run out of a St. Augustine's Church in Oakland, the Program became so popular that by the end of the year, the Panthers set up kitchens in cities across the nation, feeding over 10,000 children every day before they went to school
Photo: Nancy Thompson ,Black Panthers' Free Breakfast for Children' program (Oakland, 1971)

Redd Foxx made sure that the executives for the show Sanford and Son allowed him to name his character so that he could honor the memory of his brother, Fred, who'd died before the show premiered.

𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
Jasmine Lawrence, the eldest daughter of comedy king Martin Lawrence, has inherited her father’s talent while carving out her own path in the entertainment world. Born in 1996, Jasmine developed a passion for acting early on and appeared in several notable projects, including Bad Boys for Life (2020), where she had the opportunity to act alongside her father.

Beyond acting, Jasmine is also making waves in the tech industry. A graduate of Duke University, she currently works at Microsoft, showcasing her intelligence and determination.

With her diverse talents and captivating personality, Jasmine Lawrence is making a name for herself and is a source of great pride for Martin Lawrence.

#BOOMchallenge #JasmineLawrence #MartinLawrence #BadBoysForLife #RisingStar #Hollywood

Muhammad Ali and Mom & Dad

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, grew up in a supportive and loving family. His parents, Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay, played significant roles in shaping the future boxing legend's values and determination.

Cassius Sr. was a billboard painter and muralist, known for his outspoken personality and artistic skills. His creativity and boldness left a mark on young Cassius, who would later adopt a similar larger-than-life persona in the ring. Odessa, a household domestic worker, was a devout Baptist, deeply rooted in her faith. Her strong sense of morality and dignity influenced Ali's commitment to justice and later his conversion to Islam.

The Clay household was one of modest means, but it was filled with warmth and encouragement. Despite living in a segregated America, Odessa and Cassius Sr. instilled in their sons the values of self-respect, hard work, and resilience. Ali would carry these lessons throughout his life, becoming not only a boxing champion but also a global symbol for racial equality, humanitarianism, and spiritual dedication.

Ali often spoke about his admiration for his mother, crediting her with his kind nature. His father’s assertive demeanor was also evident in Ali’s confidence and fearless spirit, both inside and outside the ring. Together, they nurtured one of the most iconic athletes in history.

The Jackson sisters (1970s)

Everyone who has enjoyed the use of their programmable VCR, DVR, TIVO, and television remote controllers owes a thank you to Mr. Joseph N. Jackson.
He is a living legend, an inventor, scientist, businessman, humanitarian and Co-founder of the Black Inventions Museum, Inc. To date, he continues to work on ideas that will enhance the lives of BILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.
Joseph Jackson is the fourth of eight children born to Ernest and Octavia Jackson in Harvey, “Jefferson Parish”, Louisiana.
At the age of 17 he went to work as an oil field tool maintenance helper. He was accepted in the United States Army at the age of 18.
He went to television repair school at night, and later owned and operated a Radio and Television Repair Shop part-time for 7 years in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
His early efforts led to the precursor of the V-Chip, technology that is used in the television industry to block out violent and objectionable programs that could be seen by young children. Mr. Jackson is the creator of the Programmable Television Receiver Controllers and other innovative devices for the television industry.
Joseph Jackson is the holder of at least 6 issued U.S. Patents in the area of telecommunications and Fertility Prediction Devices for females, as well as several copyrights, trademarks, and Pending Patents in the area or Aircraft security and Tracking Systems.
BISM IS HONORED TO SALUTE
DR. JOSEPH N. JACKSON 20

The Owls Club was a Black women's softball team formed in the late 1930s in Seattle. The Owls won the first women's Washington State Softball Championship in 1938, playing at Sick's Stadium which went on to become the site of Rainier Avenue Lowe's.
The team, renamed the Brown Bombers, won the Championship again in 1939. Left handed pitcher Lillian Brown struck out 12 batters on the Manette team in the Championship game at the Civic Field which went on to become the site of Memorial Stadium.

Info from The Historical Negro League Baseball Site, Seattle Vintage, and Passion Softball.

Musical greats Isaac Hayes, Rick James, Barry White, his wife Glodean, and Teddy Pendergrass and date, Edythe Roberts in 1978.

Audre Lorde (1934-1992)
Audre Lorde was a lauded writer and poet known for her radical honesty and fight against racism and sexism. Self-described as a "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet," Lorde wrote often about the intersections of her identities. After earning both a BA from Hunter College and a masters from Columbia University, Lorde spent the 1960s working as a librarian in New York. In the 1970s she worked as a poet-in-residence at Tougaloo College in Mississippi and began publishing poetry collections. The works were informed by the intersections of race, class, and gender, and became increasingly more political. Some of her most famous works are "The Master's Tools Won't Dismantle The Master's House" and "Martha." Lorde passed away in 1992; her first full biography, Warrior Poet, was published by Alexis De Veaux in 2006.

Three ladies in their Sunday best.
East Harlem early 1960s.