From the Desk of the Editor... Every February, Americans celebrate Black History Month. This tribute dates back to 1926 and is credited to a Harvard scholar - Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The son of former slaves, Woodson spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age twenty. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. The scholar was disturbed to find in his studies that history books largely ignored the black American population. Woodson took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation’s history, gaining them a respectable presence in history books. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the Association for the Study of Afro- American Life and History) in 1915, and a year later founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. However, February has much more to show for its significance in black America history. For example: • February 23, 1868: W.E.D. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born. • February 3, 1870: The 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote. • February 25, 1870: The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office. • February 12, 1909: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City. • February 14, 1957: The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was formed with Martin Luther King, Jr., as president. • February 1, 1960: In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of black Greensboro, N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter. • February 21, 1965: Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism, was assassinated in Harlem by three Black Muslims, members of the Nation of Islam. In an effort to bring national attention to the contributions of black Americans, Woodson dedicated his life to ensuring that black history was accurately documented and widely dispersed. From Rosa Parks to Tiger Woods, Black History Month pays tribute to inspirational African Americans from the past, as well as those who will make great and lasting impressions well into the future. Unite is dedicated to serving the community and surrounding areas, focuses on positive news and accomplishments of minorities. Unite is published quarterly, with additional special issues published periodically. Subscriptions are $12 a year and can be paid by check or money order. We encourage you to contribute articles for Publication. All submissions are due by the 15th day of the preceding month and are subject to editing and approval. Unite is looking for a part-time salesperson. If you have sales experience and a familiarity with the Ocala community, please contact us. This position is commission-based, and your earnings are only limited by your ability. Patronize our advertisers! They patronize your community and they appreciate your business. I hope that you read this month’s issue of Unite from cover to cover. Look through the paper. You are bound to find something of interest to you. Parents and children of all ages are invited to the Freedom Public Library every Thursday morning from January 31st through April 24 (excluding March 27) for educational and entertaining Every Child ready to Read® Storytime programs. Following schedule with suggested ages for each program. 18 months and older every Thursday at 10 AM. Birth to 18 months every Thursday at 11 AM. The Freedom Public Library is located at 5870 SW 95th Street. Please call the library at 291-6040 or visit the library’s website at http://library.marioncountyfl. org for additional information. Fifth Annual Black History Month Celebration Children’s Programs at the Freedom Public Library By Gerry Brent, Library Community Liaison Marion County Public Library System Ben Carson, M.D. February 2008 Unite Page 6 UNITE Volume 2, Number 4 Ownership/Management Sheryl Hardy Alonzo Hardy Contributing Writers Gerry Brent Crystel Dawson Sophia Duran Te’Sha Jackson Esco Yancey Jr. The Unite is a quarterly publication committed to promoting cultural diversity. It focuses on positive and informative news about minorities, women and seniors. Distribution of Unite is by free circulation at various locations. However, requests for home delivery by mail may be directed to Unite, P.O. Box 771533, Ocala, Florida 34477 and accompanied by $12.00 for one year’s postage and handling. Those wishing to make a contribution or become a sponsor should direct correspondence to the same address. Readers comments and questions are welcomed. 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