Black Classics Scholars, an Untold Story
Portraits of pioneering intellectuals on exhibit at Howard Thurman Center
The face in the black-and-white photo, with its wraparound graying sideburns and sober demeanor, evokes a retired Civil War general. William Sanders Scarborough couldn’t have been further from that: an African American, he was born a slave in 1852 Georgia. But he would achieve something perhaps even more extraordinary than a general’s rank.
In an era when many thought blacks unfit for higher education, Scarborough would become one of the country’s leading classicists, author of an acclaimed Greek grammar book that won him speaking engagements and an invitation to Theodore Roosevelt’s White House in the first decade of the 20th century. He wasn’t alone. As a new exhibition at the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground makes clear, Scarborough was one of several black intellectuals who became scholars of classical studies in the Gilded Age and the early 1900s.
Photo portraits of Scarborough and more than two dozen other black classicists will be on view beginning Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, and will remain up through February. The show, previously at BU’s Florence & Chafetz Hillel House, illuminates a little-known episode in the nation’s civil rights struggle. Read The Rest of The Story
Fourteen portraits of African American classicists, mostly from 1870s to 1920s. The Classics Dept. Chairman, Dr. Steven Scully, has organized the exhibit. It’s at Hillel during the shoot and will move to the Howard Thurman Center in January for MLK Day.
Here, Dr. Scully stands with the portrait of William Sanders Scarborough.
Photo by Dana J. Quigley for Boston University Photography
10 Things All Kids Should Be Taught in School
This excellent blog post by Sean Hampton-Cole asserts that all children should learn:
The Scientific Method, Chess, Coding, Philosophy, Debating, Dramatic Arts, Contemporary Issues, Empathy, Designing and Making, Basic Neuroscience, Digital Citizenship.
Ten Rules to Get Home Safely
We Can’t Raise Our Black Scholars if They Aren’t Safe.
#Police #TheTalk #Safety #Survival
Is Your Pre K – 12th Grade Child On Track?
From the creators of Parent Tool Kit: Studies show children whose parents are involved in their education do better in school, and our hope is to provide you with useful tips and tools to support your growing child at all ages. The Parent Toolkit is a one-stop shop resource that was produced and developed with parents in mind. The Toolkit focuses on many aspects of your child’s development, because it is all connected. Healthy, successful children can excel in many areas – in the classroom, on the court, and in their relationships with peers and adults. We have worked with experts across the country including classroom teachers, college professors, pediatricians, dieticians, psychologists, and parents, to make the resource as robust and useful as possible.
Finally, an easy way to find scholarships.
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and winner of $1.3 million in scholarships
Holiday Shopping Guide
BOOKS
Breebe’s Brand New Baby Brother
@RaisingGreatMen has a long Picture Book List that is sure to please!
Brown Baby Reads has a great list of books for infants through high schoolers.
Mulitcultural Books For All Children
Books for kids from Black Authors at thebrownbookshelf.com
Black Girls Matter: A Young Adult Reading List from stackedbooks.org
Books For Boys List from Binoandfino.com
Binoandfino.com lists lots of books for girls
Maggie Sinclair Will You Please Fix Your Hair?!
10 Children’s Books with Black Characters to Buy This Season
Brown Girl Dreaming
by National Book Award Winner, Jacqueline Woodson
The Crossover
by 2015 Newberry Award Winner Kwame Alexander
Dork Diaries
Rachel Renée Russell is the author of the #1 New York Times Best Selling book series.
Black Child Books created by Lisa Slade Martin, Ph.D., features the most complete, comprehensive collection of black-oriented children’s books sold by Amazon.com (but not through its independent sellers). This site organizes almost all of the African-American-oriented children’s books scattered on Amazon.com.
Brown Sugar & Spice Books specializes in True stories about People of Color. Books are carefully chosen by experienceds teachers for historical and educational value. There are two categories: multicultural books for young children (click on “Children’s Books”) and Black History books for all ages. (click on “Black History Books”). The multicultural children’s books reflect the cultural richness of the Asian, Native-American, Caribbean, African, Hispanic, African-American, and European-American communities. This collection covers basic concepts, nature and science, and special issues like childhood fears, divorce, death and disabilities. Most of the history books are factual accounts of significant events in the history of people of color. The authenticity of these accounts is most important. BSSB feels it’s imperative for people to tell their own stories. Therefore, many of the children’s books feature first-world people writing their own experiences. BSSB searches for illustrations with ethnically authentic representations and positive images of people of color. BSSB also offers Africa kits, gift baskets and videos.
COLORING BOOKS
Binoandfino.com has a long list of coloring books that feature Black children.
The Colorful Adventures of Zoe & Star: An Activity and Coloring Book
I Love My Hair: A Coloring Book of Braids, Coils, and Doodle Dos
Clever “Element” Crayons Help Kids Learn the Periodic Table as They Color
DOLLS
La Loba Studio Adorable Superhero Rag Dolls 
Black Dolls From Around The World
20 Different Doll Companies
A Father Created This Doll Line For Little Girls of Color
Merrymakers One Love Plush Doll, 9 inch (with matching book)
6 Empowering Alternative Dolls
15 Dolls for Children of Color
Our Generation Doll Collection at Target
GAMES
Board Games Playing card and board games can be a good way of boosting cognitive skills development in children. Though it can be quite tricky to find such items centered around Africa here a few we would certainly recommend.
TOYS
Attatoy Mixmates are colorful wooden blocks with characters as diverse and the children that play with them. Made of durable beechwood and child-safe inks, these blocks are built to survive the bumps (and let’s face it – sometimes being thrown like a curveball low and in across the room) that go along with being a favorite toy. As children play, they develop fine motor skills, problem solving skills and work on important social skills, such as communication, cooperation, and collaboration. There is no one “right” answer with these blocks, so kids of all ages are free to build numerous creative combinations. Set includes 6 2″ blocks featuring 12 colorful characters. 4 different themes to choose from.
Oyosports College Minifigs Get them headed to college with building sets from their favorite Big 12, Pac 12, ACC or SEC Team! Little League, NHL, MLB and NFL, MLS available too. 
CLOTHES
Gina Humber’s Diversity Is A Verb Kid’s T-Shirt
Pretty Brown Girl
T-shirts, Dolls, Backpacks and More!
Sweet Baby Gift Set
This sweet little team of two is the perfect gift for any new birth! The bib and creeper are 100% cotton.Cotton construction provides ultimate comfort and easy washability. Creeper – Three bottom snaps with a standard T-shirt neckBib – One size with velcro closure
African Fashion Stores For Children
22 Different Clothing Stores!
Hey Black Girls has awesome T-shirts and Sweatshirts
Budding STEM Clothing
“We tell our girls they can do anything. Be anything. So, why is it so hard to find clothes for young girls who aspire to explore the universe or dig for dinosaurs? We started buddingSTEM in 2014 when we couldn’t find the things our girls loved on girls’ clothes.”
Princess Awesome
We believe that if a girl likes purple and also likes trucks, she should be able to wear a purple truck dress. And if a girl likes princesses and also aliens, then an alien princess skirt is for her. We also believe that if a girl would prefer to skip the “princess” and stick with the “awesome,” she deserves some dress options that feature a range of colors and topics. We are Princess Awesome because butterflies are awesome and so are airplanes. Because monsters are awesome and so are twirly skirts. Because girls are awesome and girls get to decide what it means to be girly.
PaperGirl
Illustrated Clothes For Imaginative Girls
ZByOzi African Wax Print Children’s clothing
STOCKING STUFFERS
Personalized bag tags are perfect for school bags and luggage! Five fun designs made from lightweight aluminum. Measures approximately 3.25″ x 2″ Detachable leather strap is included. Please allow 10-12 business days for the production of your tag (not including shipping time).
LockJourney Black Girls Swim Regular Cap Perfect for your Swim Team Captain!
MOMS
Black Feminist Cloud (v.2) Tank
Ify Nwobi JD is a mompreneur mother of 4 miracles.
She is also the Founder and CEO of Mummy’s Miracle Moringa Baby Skincare an all natural Moringa Baby Skincare formulated soon after she discovered the power of Moringa, a tree found in Africa and parts of Asia.
Gina Humber’s #Diversityisaverb – Tee’s for Adult Women
DADS
Urban Visionaries, LLC: UV Bow Ties
Help Dad or a new grad upgrade their wardrobe. Consider buying a bow tie from UV Bow Ties, a black owned business. Check out their new #HBCU line featuring #TuskegeeUniversity #FAMU and #HowardUniversity
Philadelphia Printworks Sweatshirts for the Best Dressed Dad on the Quad
Changing How Kids Think About Their Futures
We are all Parisian today. Peace for Paris
Don’t let Application Fees Keep You From Applying To College.
It is exciting to apply to college, but SAT, ACT and college application fees can add up to a significant expense. Students with financial need can apply to have these fees waived.
Click here to apply for ACT and SAT fee waivers.
According to Money Magazine, many colleges give fee waivers to students who take a campus tour or chat with a campus representative at a local college fair; and you should watch your email and snail mail. Some colleges send recruiting letters waiving application fees for students who score well on tests
If you do not get a fee waiver through these methods you can use the NACAC fee waiver form or ask the college directly to waive the fee.
The Common Black College Application allows you to apply to all 44 Historically Black Colleges and Universities #HBCU, at one time, for a fee of $35.00. This application only takes ten minutes to complete. If you have a 3.0 GPA and a 21 on the ACT you also qualify through this application for scholarships.
Finally, over 300 colleges no longer charge application fees including the following schools that are highly ranked by US News and World Report:
Wellesley #4
Carleton #8
Smith #14
Colby #19
Grinnell #19
Bryn Mawr #25
Kenyon #25
Case Western #37
Union #38
Tulane #41
Sewanee–University of the South #48
DePauw #51
Rhodes #51
St. Olaf #51
Dennison #55
Reed #93