Taking a look at Rosa Parks life and the legacy she left behind

In any great movement which effects great change in a nation or a people, there is something called a watershed moment. A watershed moment is that one signature event that triggered the onslaught of great and historic change. In American history, that watershed moment might be the Boston Tea Party. But in the context of black history, particularly when we consider the central role that the civil rights movement has played in black history in this country, there is really just one watershed moment that virtually anybody who understands black history will point to.

The decision that changed Rosa Parks life forever...

That event took place on December 1, 1955, on a simple city bus when a black woman by the name of Rosa Parks got on that bus. When the bus became crowded, the bus driver ordered Ms. Parks to relinquish her seat to a white man as was the cultural order of things at that time. But Rosa Parks was not interested in seeing that cultural order of things continue. She refused to give up that seat.
The explosion of outrage and social change that was released by that one simple act of civil disobedience is the watershed moment that anyone affected by the civil rights movement points to at the most important event in modern black history. Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving her seat up that day and the trial for that act of civil disobedience brought to the national spotlight another important leader in the civil rights movement by the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Helping spark a revolution in the Black Community

This one event began to escalate and gather energy in the black community. It was an exciting and somewhat frightening time as the black community was energized and began to organize around these two courageous leaders and the result was the most powerful civil rights protests in the history of the movement occurred which came to be known as the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
There are many reasons why such a simple event has had such a powerful effect on people such as it did on the black community of the fifties. Clearly, the frustration and gathering power of a movement was already building in the black community. A situation like this can best be described as a tinderbox that is just waiting for a spark for it to explode into fire. When that simple black woman finally decided that she was no longer going to live in servitude to the white man and she put her foot down and said NO, that was the spark that set the civil rights movement in motion.

Making a statement for the black culture

Rosa Parks was not a trained instigator or a skilled manipulator of groups. Because she was just a citizen and a simple woman with simple daily needs, that itself was a powerful statement that this was the time for the community to take action and effect change. She was not even looking to start a nation-changing civil rights movement when she refused to give up her bus seat. As she said later in an interview about the event…
“I would have to know for once and for all what rights I had as a human being and a citizen of Montgomery, Alabama.” And then in her autobiography, My Story she elaborated that… “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”
Rosa Parks won the right to be treated as a human being for herself and for her people across America and even around the world with her simple act of civil disobedience. She is an inspiration to us all that we too must demand the right of simple human dignity for all people who are citizens of this great land. And the story of Rosa Park’s defiance shows that if we demand that, it will be won.

From the streets to beats Wooda C Black is moving forward and not turning back

Finding your path can sometimes come at the most challenging times. Those challenging times tho help us build character and strength for the road ahead. This has been the reality for Shane Black also know as Wooda C Black. Going from being homeless in the cold streets of Minneapolis to helping music artists find their voice on stage. We had a chance to ask Wooda C Black about his path and plans for the future for this young entrepreneur/artist, read more below

Question #1 Who are you and where you from?

“My name is Wooda C Black (Shane Black). I was born in Kankakee Illinois, I’ve lived in Minnesota for as far back as I can remember though. I am 32 years of age and consider myself a strong, proud, African American man.” said by Wooda C Black

Question #2 What do you do? And why?

“A promoter who is very passionate about his work. I also consider myself a very humble individual. Minnesota Official was established in January of 2019. The meaningful and soul purpose of my company is to give youth and young adults a platform where they can display their talent, be in a safe environment, and I can give strong promotions to uplift these hungry artists in Minnesota. There are a few reasons as to why I do what I do, the main one being the fact that I absolutely love music, I have for as far back as I can remember, it’s kind of like an addiction. ” said by Wooda C Black

Question #3 What inspired you to get started?

“Arvesta Kelly is also has a huge inspiration for me, he has created a platform for promoters like myself to live their dream.” said by Wooda C Black

Question #4 What are some obstacles you had or have to face during your journey.

“I have overcome many obstacles in life but I would have to say my lowest point was probably when I was sleeping outside in the cold because I had no place to go and I had to check into Stepping Stones Shelter. After that, I had to reevaluate my life and make some changes. I decided to put my energy and time into something I loved doing and that was promoting and creating music. ” said by Wooda C Black

Question #5 How do you plan on having an impact in Twin-Cities?

“My plan for the future is to build a long-term foundation that Minnesota artists can call home. I plan on doing a lot for the community in the future, back to school giveaways, feeding the homeless, block parties, etc. I really just want to spread love and music to the community.” said by Wooda C Black

Question #6 How can people follow or learn more?

“I can be reached on Facebook – Wooda C Black- or by email: loyalman555@yahoo.com Don’t forget to check me out on YouTube as well. Wooda C Black -Minnesota Official” said by Wooda C Black

Meet the Minneapolis author Deontae Henderson who is using books to write his own narrative

Deontae Henderson

We had a chance to ask the Minneapolis native and book author Deontae Henderson a few questions. Based on topics to further understand who is this Minneapolis author and why should people pay attention. Being a child's book author isn't easy not to mention to be doing to have the drive to publish 2. Learn about this young author below.

Interview Questions with Deontae Henderson

Question #1 Who are you and where you from?

"My name is Deontae Henderson and I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota," said Deontae Henderson

Question #2 What do you do? And why?

"I am a published children’s book author. I create fun stories for children that are designed to inspire, inform, and educate the reader at the same time." said Deontae Henderson

Question #3 What inspired you to get started?

"I simply wanted to tell my life story the easiest way possible and do it in a way that children would enjoy and parents would be intrigued. That thought process led me to write my first book TO THE TOP" said Deontae Henderson

Question #4 What are some obstacles you had or have to face during your journey

"I had to ignore people that told me that I was too young to write and publish a book and that it was hard to find a publisher. Instead of getting discouraged by other people’s opinions and waiting around for a publishing company to give me a chance, I decided that I would find a way to get the book published myself and still get it in front of people on major platforms like Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Since my first book TO THE TOP, I have gone on to write four more, with one being a best seller on Amazon ( The Hungriest Pirate)" said Deontae Henderson

Question #5 How do you plan on having an impact in Minneapolis?

"I plan on impacting my city, by going around the world and leaving my mark. When I do this, people will always ask where I’m from, and I will say Minneapolis, Minnesota with a smile on my face. This will show both the people wondering where I’m from and the people from Minneapolis that you can come from anywhere and make things happen." said Deontae Henderson

Question #6 How can people follow your movement and contact you?

"They can follow me on Instagram and Twitter @justdeontae. My books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Nook, iBook, Kindle, and other major book websites." said Deontae Henderson