#VRABlackHistory

"A quest to ensure that Black people understood their past was at the heart of the creation of Black History Month...If you think you have no history, it’s like being rootless...It’s unnatural. If you think your people don’t have history, you can do nothing. The point of Black History Month is so you can understand your history.”

- CeLillianne Green, author of “A Bridge: The Poetic Primer on African and African American Experiences.” Washington Post. February, 1st, 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/02/01/carter-woodson-miseducation-negro-schools/

On February 1st, 2024, we honor Prince Hall of Boston, who was not only a registered voter of his day, but a staunch abolitionist and civil rights activist who used the power of petitions to effectively petition the government to gain rights for Black people.

This article is written by Caitlyn Caitlyn Arnwine (formerly Caitlyn Cobb) in 2017 and updated last in 2023 with the quote at the beginning.

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH! From the Transformative Justice Coalition and the Voting Rights Alliance. We hope you enjoy our #VRABlackHistory Series 2024 Robert Purvis (1810 - 1898) & Harriet Forten-Purvis (1810 - 1875) Click Here to view a special background with this article that can only be viewed on its newsletter Webpage Click Here to […]

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH! We hope you enjoy our #VRABlackHistory Series 2024 From the Transformative Justice Coalition and the Voting Rights Alliance View this article even better here (recommended) Please note, if you'd like to opt out from only the upcoming daily Black History Month Voting Rights Alliance #VRABlackHistory series, please email carnwine@tjcoalition.org. Unsubscribing at the bottom of […]

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH! View this article better here (recommended) We hope you enjoy our #VRABlackHistory Series 2024 From the Transformative Justice Coalition and the Voting Rights Alliance Please note, if you'd like to opt out from only the upcoming daily Black History Month Voting Rights Alliance #VRABlackHistory series, please email carnwine@tjcoalition.org. Unsubscribing at the bottom of this […]

Today, February 5th, 2024, we honor Octavius V. Catto. "Octavius Valentine Catto (1839 – 1871) was one of the most influential African American leaders in Philadelphia during the 19th century. Inspired by the Civil War, Catto became an adamant activist for the abolition of slavery and establishment of equal rights for all men, regardless of race. He successfully fought for the desegregation of Philadelphia’s public trolleys and ratification of the 15th amendment to the Constitution, which bars voting discrimination on the basis of race . In addition to his work as a Civil Rights activist, he was also an educator , scholar, writer, and accomplished baseball player – helping to recognize Philadelphia as a Negro baseball league focal point...Catto was only thirty-two when he was shot and killed outside of his home on Philadelphia’s South Street on October 10, 1871, the first election day that African Americans were allowed to vote. His activism and efforts to get African Americans to the polls led to his murder – a violent action that was seen as a result of widespread intimidation by whites to deter the black vote."