Latest news with #IdaB.Wells
Style Blueprint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
15 Memphis Murals That Offer a Glimpse Into the City's Vibrant Culture
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit In Memphis, art isn't only found in galleries; it's on the sides of buildings, tucked into alleyways, and stretched across neighborhood blocks. Murals have become part of the city's storytelling tradition, reflecting its history, pride, challenges, and joy. From heartfelt Civil Rights tributes to playful bursts of color that brighten your morning commute, these public works speak volumes. While we could spend weeks exploring a comprehensive list of beautiful Memphis murals, we've grouped a few highlights by the stories they tell. Pin CIVIL RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE Nowhere is the power of public art more evident than in Memphis's Civil Rights murals. These works don't just beautify the city; they challenge viewers to remember, reflect, and act. I Am a Man This iconic mural is located on South Main Street in Downtown Memphis and pays tribute to the 1968 Sanitation Workers Strike. Artist Marcellous Lovelace with BLK75 created the eye-catching colors and graffiti style. Pin History of Civil Rights in Memphis Soaring six stories high, this mural offers a visual narrative of the city's civil rights journey, paying homage to Ida B. Wells, Beale Street Baptist Church, Robert Church, and much more. Pin Upstanders Created by Memphis artists Cedar Nordbye and Nelson Gutierrez, the Upstanders mural honors extraordinary Memphians who helped create a more inclusive, just, and compassionate Memphis. You can find it on Huling Avenue, near the National Civil Rights Museum. Pin LOCAL CULTURE & NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE These colorful displays capture hometown pride and that intangible sense of place. Broad Avenue Water Tower The popular and easily recognizable water tower mural soars 150 feet above Broad Avenue, with bright bands of color representing Broad Avenue's multicultural neighborhood. Pin A Journey Through Greatness Commissioned by UrbanArt, four murals grace the interior of the Orange Mound Community Center. Using information from neighborhood residents, artist Vitus Shell brought the historic and diverse area to vibrant life, depicting different facets of the Orange Mound community, including people, schools, and sports. Pin Overton Square-Redux Combining style and whimsy, artist David Lynch offers a fun look at a classic Memphis location. Overton Square-Redux captures the local establishments, experiences, and landmarks that Memphians and visitors love! Pin An Afternoon in Uptown Located on North 3rd Street, this delightful mural illustrates Uptown's progress through a few local landmarks, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Neighborhood Christian Center, Roxy's Grocery, and much more. The artist, Carl Scott, was a longtime resident of this quintessential Memphis neighborhood. Pin MUSIC & MEMPHIS ICONS Few cities are as defined by music the way Memphis is, so it's no surprise that musicians and musical landmarks are some of the most beloved subjects of local murals. The Memphis Poetry Panels This stretch of South Main features eight popular songs about Memphis, with lyrics stenciled in white on a bright red background. Beloved musicians with a history in Memphis share their passion about the city, including Roy Acuff, Big Bill Broonzy, Jerry Lee Lewis, Junior Parker, and Rufus Thomas. Pin W.C. Handy This mural, located under the South Main overpass, pays tribute to the 'Father of the Blues,' whose influence reverberates through Memphis and beyond. Pin Jay Lance Turner's bold, contemporary portrait 'Jay' captures the creative energy of Memphis grunge musician Jimmy Lindsey. Created as part of the Downtown Memphis Commission's Mosaic project, the mural can be found at the intersection of Vance Avenue and South Main. Pin St. Blues Guitar Artist Brandon Marshall celebrates the craftsmanship behind Memphis's musical instruments in this cool depiction of a St. Blues original guitar played by BB King. It is fittingly located in the Edge District's St. Blues Guitar Workshop on Marshall Avenue. Pin NATURE & ABSTRACT BEAUTY Not every mural carries a message. Some brighten a block, inspire imagination, or surprise a pedestrian on an ordinary day. Untitled by Birdcap No list of abstract murals would be complete without a creation by Birdcap (artist Michael Roy). Combining his signature flair for combining comic artistry, folklore, and philosophy, this untitled work is located at Eclectic Eye in Cooper-Young. Pin Big Green Murals Big Green commissioned fun and fresh murals for learning gardens in several Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Each mural portrays fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, and bees, using vibrant colors and dynamic designs to draw students into the gardens and encourage them to enjoy and learn from them. Pin Mobility Center The Downtown Memphis Mobility Center is more than just your run-of-the-mill parking and transportation hub! The seven-story facility features murals by 16 local artists, one on each floor. Pin There are hundreds of murals in Memphis, so this is just a small sampling. Head on out and find a few favorites of your own! ********** To stay in the know on the best of the South, subscribe to our daily emails! About the Author Gaye Swan A freelance writer, mom of twins, avid traveler, and local foodie, Gaye loves meeting new people and bringing their stories to life.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Save Black History: Amistad Research Center Braces for Federal Budget Cuts and Asks for Help
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — In the wake of federal budget cuts, several nonprofits across the country are feeling their funding drastically diminish, after the Trump administration drastically scaled back government spending. The organizations that are affected the most are those who receive money through grants. Locally, the Amistad Research Center is affected and trying to find other ways to keep moving forward. They are now looking for assistance through donations from the public. The Amistad Research Center was founded in 1966 and has archival material that dates back to the 18th Century, including slavery documentation, letters from Ida B. Wells and so many other important artifacts and papers. Amistad is in an effort to raise a million dollars to cover the costs of it's research and preservation. Jade Flint is the Assistant Curator at Amistad and says, 'things are happening every day. I think it's important to continue to highlight this history, to know where we've been and to try and fix some of these things. We should know the strategies that people used in the past. Recent federal budget cuts have affected non profits across the country, including us here at Amistad. 75% of our budget is made up of federal grants. We are at risk for our staff salaries, and other things that help us function as a community resource. If you can visit to help us raise a million dollars in the next 30 days in order to cover those costs.' The Amistad Research Center is the oldest and largest independent archives collection in the country that tells the story of race in America. To learn more and assist the Amistad Research Center, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Buzz Feed
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Level Up Your Blerd Game With These 23 Products
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · A Blerd's journey to saving the universe is long, but at least there's Wi-Fi. 1. A Bessie Coleman Barbie doll that inspires imagination and honors the first Black and Native American female pilot *and* the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license. Celebrate the trailblazing aviator who soared to new heights, showing young dreamers that the sky's the limit! Amazon Promising reviews: "I've been fascinated with Bessie Coleman since childhood. My aunt was a pilot of cropper planes in Virginia. Bessie was her idol. The doll is absolutely beautiful. She's dressed to the nines and the facial and body structure are marvelous. Mattel outdid themselves with this one." — My Milz Get it from Amazon for $21.80. 2. Or a powerful Ida B. Wells doll that honors the fearless journalist and activist, teaching the next generation about courage, truth, and the fight for justice with every story they tell. Amazon Promising review:"Barbie's tribute to investigative journalist and civil rights leader Ida B. Wells is just my style — instead of long blonde hair, pink, and glitter, we have short cropped hair, a serious visage, and a sober black dress with collar and cuffs. She's perfect! I t's a good likeness of Ms. Wells, and she comes with a historically accurate dress and mini copy of the Memphis Free Speech, the newspaper she co-owned. I've kept my doll in a box, but from other people's photos, I know she's on a fully articulated curvy body. She's just gorgeous and is one of my favorites from the Inspiring Women line. A great gift for a collector or a child who loves history!" — Curlytoes Get it from Amazon for $24.95. 3. An R2D2 French press that's out of this world. Unleash your Jedi spirit and brew coffee with the best companion for your next adventure to a galaxy far, far away. Amazon Promising review: "I gifted this to my daughter this Christmas, and she loves it. It is adorable in person, and she enjoys using it. It's a great gift for the Star Wars fan in your life." — Ann Hill Get it from Amazon for $49.99. 4. A Black Panther game controller stand to keep your controller off the floor and in an easy-to-find location, so you don't have to spend an hour tearing apart your room searching for it. Rage Quitters / Etsy 5. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a book about 100 Black women and the amazing things they've done in their lives, from Ava DuVernay to Ida B. Wells. This book is not only educational, it's incredibly inspiring. Amazon I have this book on my Kindle and absolutely love it! I think it's a must-read for everyone, not just kids. I learned so much more about some of the most phenomenal women. Also, the illustrations are absolutely brilliant! I will get a physical copy once I move! Promising review: "So inspiring. There are many women I never knew about who were incredibly outstanding. I love books, and I love learning. There was limited representation for girls who looked like me growing up, so I try to buy inspirational books about Black girls and women for my nieces and even myself. I also love that Afro-Latinas like Susana Baca were also added to this book as they are just as important to Black history as they are to Latin American history." — Janiesha Get it from Amazon for $12.49. 6. Or a Bookshop gift card so you can buy all the books you want while also supporting local bookstores. Bookshop First launched in 2020, Bookshop is an online book retailer that partners and donates a portion of their profits to local bookstores and the best part is you can pick the bookstore that receives the donation. They've raised over $30 million Bookshop for independent bookstores so far! I just ordered up a bunch of books from here, including The Maid and the Crocodile. They shipped fast and I was happy to support a Black-owned bookstore a couple of towns over. Plus they are offering 20% off some titles with the code BHM25. Pick up a giftcard from here, starting at $10. And check out their amazing Black History Month collection.) 7. A magical pair of Disney ears that celebrates the iconic Proud Family. Channel your inner Penny Proud and show the world your fashionista style and fun personality. World of ImaginEars is a small business based in Vista, California, that makes custom Mickey ears based on your favorite properties. Promising review: "If you've ever wondered why you'd pay over $60 for a pair of ears, it's all about the QUALITY. These ears are perfectly crafted, likely using high-end materials that make them feel premium. Honestly, the photos don't do them justice! I'm super excited to wear them for this year's '90s Night at Disneyland. A heads-up: It did take the full 4 weeks for them to arrive from the order date, so if you need them sooner, reach out to the seller for alternative shipping options. The only downside for me is that they are a bit top-heavy. I have a small head and a short haircut, so they don't have much to grip, which can make them slide a little (probably more of a personal issue). But despite that, they still look amazing. I'll definitely be returning to this shop for future purchases!" — C N Get it from World of ImaginEars on Etsy for $65. 8. A figurine of the new Captain America, Sam Wilson, who showed us that anyone with the heart, courage, and determination can rise to the mantle of a true hero. Promising review: "My son has 35 (12-inch) action figures. This is amongst the coolest. He has detachable wings that are very big and wide. Makes for great play. His detachable shield fits form in the hand so it doesn't fall around. Super well made and lots of fun. Perfect for any age, little or big kid into action figures. He has also survived the tub. He bends at the hips and legs so water drained right out." — Elynoon Get it from Amazon for $39.95. 9. Or a Captain America purse, perfect for adding a heroic touch to your everyday style while keeping your essentials shielded in true superhero fashion. Box Lunch Promising reviews: " Absolutely love this bag!! It's exactly what I wanted, and I can't wait to wear it at the Disney parks and (of course) to see Brave New World! I have a lot of Loungefly products, and this is definitely up there as one of my faves." — Sam2848 Get it from Box Lunch for $69.90 (also available in backpack form). 10. A Snorlax Google Home holder that'll be an amazing companion on your journey to be the very best. It is 3D-printed, making it durable, no matter how many times you've accidentally knocked it over. Straight Outta Prints is a small business specializing in 3D-printed goods. One of the best impulse buys I made this year. It's so cute, and the Google Home fits snuggly into the belly. Snorlax is one of my favorite Pokémon, so I am glad I got it. It comes in a variety of colors, including glow-in-the-dark. I did paint mine with acrylic paint to look exactly like Snorlax, but it was easy to paint. It is sturdy (trust me, I dropped it several times, and it didn't break) and lightweight. It also helps take up less desk space, which, if you've ever seen my desk, you'd understand why that's important to me. The seller was extremely helpful when I asked a ton of questions and it shipped very fast. A must-have for any Pokémon lover! 11. An adorable Totoro crystal puzzle that can sit on the corner of your desk and watch over you while you're working. I got this as a Christmas gift from a friend, and I absolutely love it. My Neighbor Totoro is one of my favorite comfort movies, so I love having it watch over me. I will admit it was a little difficult to put together, and I dropped it once, causing me to have to start over when I was soooo close to the end. But trust me, it was so worth it. It's tiny, so it can easily fit on top of my organizer on my desk. Plus, it is really cool to sit it on a light and watch it shine. Promising review: "As this was my first time building one of these 3D crystal puzzles, I had a bit of a tough time. Directions come in Japanese, but they show you what piece to use step by step, though you have to play around with it until it fits. After a while, I started to get the hang of it though. Definitely a fun little puzzle to go with my Totoro collection. FYI, the chest piece is kind of a tight fit, but it will go in, and it's not broken like one review says. That's how it is for the arm holding the umbrella." — Ghost Get it from Amazon for $18.20. 12. A Wakandan AfroTech hoodie that blends the futuristic vibes with the spirit of Wakanda Rookie ATL / Etsy Rookie ATL is a Black-owned business in Atlanta, Georgia. They boast that they make apparel for STEM, gamers, nerds, comic lovers, and other weirdos. They use their proceeds to help increase awareness of STEM education opportunities in minority neighborhoods. Get it from Rookie ATL on Etsy for $36.99 (available in unisex sizes S–5XL, youth sizes XS–XL, and six color combos). 13. A Planeteer baseball jersey so you can unleash your powers to solve one eco-crisis at a time. This jersey is fully customizable, allowing you to put whatever name and number you want on it to make it your own. RetroCityThreads RetroCityThreads is a custom jersey shop from Montgomery, Alabama. Their goal is to bring joy and nostalgia with their pop culture jerseys. Promising reviews: "Awesome product. You can tell there is pride in their work. Buy with confidence." — Maybell Get it from RetroCityThreads for $59.99 (available in youth sizes XS–XL, adult sizes S–4XL). 14. A print of Moss from The IT Crowd, because he might be the ultimate nerd, but he'll still put you in your place... after he finishes his milk of course. Pop Off Studio / Etsy Pop Off Studio is a small business based in the UK. Promising review:"This art print is amazing. I have it above my sink. I have wanted to get this piece for a while now, and finally, I am living in an apartment that can fit it. The quality is astoundingly good. If you are a fan of The IT Crowd, I highly recommend this item." — Lilly Tesla 15. Or a quirky pin of Moss reminding us to embrace our inner oddball — because being true to yourself, no matter how weird, is the ultimate coolness. BadgeBird / Etsy BadgeBird is a small business based in the UK. Promising review: "Just a perfect badge! Moss is one of my favorite TV show characters, and I had been searching for something of him to add to a jacket that I've covered in patches and badges; so pleased I came across this one! Looks great on my jacket." — Laura Get it from BadgeBird on Etsy for $4.62. 16. A heat-activated Skyrim mug, perfect for a Dragonborn to use before their next big adventure (and every morning in between). Just fill the cup up with a hot beverage and be graced with Ralof's face. Kayos Mugs / Etsy Kayos Mugs is an Istanbul, Turkey-based small business specializing in mug designs. Promising review: "My brother LOVED his birthday present. It's now his favorite cup! The image is clear, and the actual game text was used, which is an important detail! Well made and was neatly delivered in styrofoam to prevent damage! Very good. I will definitely buy from them again! Thank you!" — Jade Emmett 17. A Princess Tiana sweatshirt that will have you dancing under the stars in the bayou. Just don't kiss any frogs while wearing it. Box Lunch Promising review: " My favorite sweater. The colors are gorgeous, and there are so many flowers embroidered throughout the sleeves and front and back. I absolutely adore it. Worth the price." — Missy Mel Get it from Box Lunch for $59.90 (available in sizes XS–3XL). 18. A set of three bookmarks for anyone who just wants to be left alone so they can read their books. KLigg / Etsy KLigg is a Black-owned small business based in Alexandria, Virginia, founded by Kadeja Liggans. She illustrates all the artwork and is on a mission to empower Black women. Promising review: "I love my bookmarks! They are made with amazing quality, and the designs are GORGEOUS." — Jodie Bonhometre Get a pack of three from KLigg on Etsy for $10 (available in four sets). 19. This electrifying shirt of one of the best superhero cartoons in the early 2000s, Static Shock. Apparely My Feelings / Etsy ApparelyInMyFeeling is a Black-owned small business based in Miami, Florida. They make trendy, geeky-focused apparel. Get it from ApparelyInMyFeeling on Etsy for $18.66+ (available in unisex sizes S–5XL and four colors) 20. A Komani code magnetic sign that may not give you a shortcut through life but can give you a strong nostalgic feeling of the days when you could sit and play video games all day and not worry about adult responsibilities. Print Under Pressure / Etsy 21. A custom Funko of the Fifteenth Doctor, capturing the new era of time-travel with the charm and mystery that any whovian would be ecstatic to have with them on their next journey through time and space. 3 Friends Fine Crafts / Etsy 22. A Betty Boop apron honoring jazz singer Esther Jones, who inspired the original Betty Boop cartoon character. Smalling Wear is a Black-owned small business based in Kansas, that sells custom Afrocentric items. They started out by selling candles at farmer's markets and craft fairs before opening up an online store. 23. A stunning puzzle celebrating the beauty of Black women and nature, piece by piece. It comes together, honoring the elegance and grace of women and the world around them. Unified Pieces is a Black-owned puzzle company that celebrates creativity, diversity, and the joy of puzzling! They believe every puzzle should spark your imagination, pulling you into a world full of mystery and beauty. Promising review: "These puzzles are absolutely gorgeous and the quality is unmatched!! I'm obsessed!" —K.G. Check out more Black-centered content by exploring how BuzzFeed is celebrating Black History Month this year! Of course, the content doesn't end after February. Follow BuzzFeed's Cocoa Butter on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest Black culture content year-round. BuzzFeed
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ida B. Wells Taught us That Care and Justice Go Hand in Hand
Daniel (L) and Michelle (C) Duster attend the dedication of a monument to their great-grandmother, journalist, educator, and civil rights leader, Ida B. Wells on June 30, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Credit - Scott Olson—Getty Images Upon returning to the White House, President Donald Trump launched a sustained assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the nation, dismantling programs in the federal government and emboldening corporate leaders to cut their own diversity and inclusion initiatives. The Trump administration's reinvigorated attack on DEI has brought renewed scrutiny to Black History Month and the celebration of Black ideas, culture, and people in American politics. It is tempting to insist that our contemporary moment is exceptional, but assaults on the lives and stories of Black people are hardly unprecedented. Telling the stories of people like Ida B. Wells provides essential lessons about how to perseverance against against such attacks. For Wells, care for her community was central to an enduring practice of political resistance to racial injustice. Born in 1862, Wells was an influential Black journalist and anti-lynching advocate. Today, she is renowned for being a principled and brave advocate for racial justice who was willing to make enormous sacrifices. She was not naïve to the potential consequences of her anti-lynching advocacy. To condemn lynching and the American political institutions that perpetuated it, she understood, would risk inviting violence against herself, a risk that she anticipates and reflects on in her autobiography. While willing to sacrifice her own life for the cause, she refused to ask her Black neighbors, friends, and colleagues to do the same when her anti-lynching advocacy put the broader Black community in Memphis in danger. In May 1892, Wells published her first anti-lynching editorial, just months after three of her Black friends and neighbors—Thomas 'Tommie' Moss, Calvin McDowell, and Henry 'Will' Stewart—were brutally lynched in Memphis. Unfortunately, Wells was right to anticipate hostile retaliation. In the days following her editorial, many white journalists called for her lynching and a white mob ransacked and destroyed her newspaper office. Wells was not in Memphis, by happenstance, when her editorial was published. Instead, she was traveling to a conference in New York. She learned of the many threats made against her life and the destruction of her newspaper from her friend, T. Thomas Fortune, upon her arrival up North. When confronted with the difficult choice of staying in New York or returning to Memphis, Wells's first thought was not of the cause but of the safety of her colleague, J.L. Fleming, down South. I'm Ida B. Wells's Great-Granddaughter, and I'm Still Fighting Her Fight for the Vote On a busy train platform in New York, Wells also considered the well-being of the Black community in Memphis. Many of her friends begged her to stay up North, lamenting the enormous loss of life that would ensue if she returned to Memphis. Not only would she surely have been lynched, but her colleagues at the newspaper would have been killed. Many of her Black male friends offered to fight off her white assailants, but Wells believed this would only mean more Black widows and fatherless children. In the end, she chose to stay up North and continue her anti-lynching advocacy in New York and eventually Chicago. She would never return to Memphis and described herself as 'exiled' from the South. While willing to make unimaginable sacrifices to try to awaken the conscience of white Americans to the injustice of lynching, Wells also took great care to protect her Black community, knowing full well that her efforts to confront racial injustice would incite violence against them. She thought of her colleagues, embracing a model of political resistance that centers care for her Black neighbors and friends. This care, in and of itself, was an act of political resistance to racial injustice. Wells offers us a model of political resistance to racial injustice that implies the complex negotiation of principles when confronted with sustained pressures, in practice, by the institutions and norms that perpetuate white supremacy and racial oppression. Even Wells, one of the most extraordinary advocates of racial justice in American history, refrained from directly confronting white supremacists when her advocacy would mean more Black loss. She was deeply committed to her anti-lynching advocacy, but she was equally committed to caring for Tommie Moss's widow, Maurine, and their children, Betty and Thomas, Jr. This is the Wells, I want to suggest, that we must fastidiously celebrate this Black History Month as she affords us enduring insights into what it means to be a crusader for justice. In the continued fight for racial justice and amid reinvigorated efforts to erase Black contributions to American history, Wells would urge activists to be steadfast in speaking truth into the world and advocating relentlessly for a more racially just America. Yet she would also remind us of the importance of caring for one another in the fight against oppression. Wells died while writing her autobiography, leaving the manuscript unpunctuated and unfinished. In the final line, she reiterates the famous adage that 'eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.' Wells may have been right about the unending demands of freedom. In many ways, we continue to fight her fight against the erasure of Black history in American history. She was also right that it is a heroic act to care for our fellow humans while we pursue a more just world. Dr. Amy Gais is a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Comparative Literature and Thought at Washington University in St. Louis. She is the author of The Coerced Conscience (Cambridge University Press, 2024) and is writing a book on freedom and resistance in African American political thought. Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Honoring Black History: NAACP
WJBF – Did you know that the NAACP began due to the early racial violence in the early 20th Century? A group of African-American leaders, including W.E.B. DuBois and Ida B. Wells, joined together to form the civil rights organizations, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on February 12th, 1909 to coincide with the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. Honoring Black History: Carter G. Woodson WJBF News Channel 6 is Honoring Black History because Black history is America's history. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
