The Power of Affirming A Black Child
Before the spotlight.Before the titles, trophies, and timelines…There was a child. A backpack. A nervous smile.And someone who believed in them. We often celebrate greatness once it’s undeniable.But what happens before that?Who shows up in the beginning — when all someone has is potential and a dream? At BOTWC, we believe those early moments matter […]
Meet Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, the First Black Woman to Serve on the Michigan’s Supreme Court
Michigan’s highest court includes a trailblazer: Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, the first Black woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and sworn in on January 1, 2023, her presence reflects a judiciary that looks more like the people it serves.
North Carolina’s First Black-Owned Children’s Bookstore Set to Reopen in 2026
Liberation Station, North Carolina’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore, is set to reopen on Juneteenth 2026 after closing its downtown Raleigh location last year, WRAL News reports. In a time when books that share Black history and stories are being banned and silenced, this reopening feels like a powerful act of resistance and hope. The bookstore’s […]
Black-Owned Bookstores Create National Association to Preserve Their Legacy
For the first time, Black bookstores across the country have a national organization dedicated solely to their growth and preservation. The newly launched National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB2) is a nonprofit collective built to “promote literacy, amplify Black voices, and preserve Black cultural heritage” of Black communities through books.
7 Tips to Plan a Meaningful and Memorable Black Family Reunion
There’s nothing like a Black family reunion, the matching T-shirts, the line dances, the homemade plates, and the joy of being surrounded by generations of love. Whether it’s a yearly tradition or something your family is bringing back, reunions remind us of who we are and where we come from. If you’re planning one (or thinking about it), here are 7 tips to help you make it memorable, meaningful, and full of joy:
Carol Moseley Braun, the First Black Woman U.S. Senator, Reflects on Her Historic Career in New Memoir
In 1992, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun made history when she was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Black woman, and the first woman from Illinois, to ever hold that seat. A trailblazer in every sense, her groundbreaking win marked a major milestone in American politics. Now, the former lawmaker and Chicago native is reflecting on her journey in a new memoir titled Trailblazer: Perseverance in Life and Politics.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Awards $3 Million to 24 Black Historic Sites
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, just awarded $3 million in grants to 24 historic Black sites across the country. This funding is helping ensure that our legacies of activism, innovation, and cultural joy won’t just be remembered, they’ll be preserved, visited, and celebrated.
Taylor Townsend Becomes First Mother to Reach No. 1 in Women’s Doubles Tennis
In just her third full season back on the court since giving birth to her son, Taylor Townsend reached the final of the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. alongside her partner Shuai Zhang. At 29 years old, the Chicago native officially became the first mother in women’s tennis to ever earn the WTA World No. 1 Doubles ranking. A full-circle win for a player who once held the title of junior world No. 1 over a decade ago.
Bubba Wallace Becomes First Black Driver to Win the Brickyard 400, ending a 100-Race Drought
He is rewriting what is possible on motor racing’s biggest stage! At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bubba Wallace guided the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing across the famed Yard of Bricks to capture the Brickyard 400, making history as the first Black driver ever to win on the legendary 2.5-mile oval. The milestone victory came […]
Venus Williams Becomes Second Oldest Woman to Win WTA Singles Match
At the DC Open on Tuesday, Venus Williams defeated 23-year-old Peyton Stearns in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4—marking her first singles win in nearly two years and making history in the process. At 45 years old, the tennis legend became the oldest woman to win a WTA Tour singles match since 2004, when Martina Navratilova earned a win at 47.