I'm a firm believer that Black History IS American History so we should celebrate it alongside the stories of our founding fathers and mothers. And as misguided politicians and perceived pundits try to erase Black History, it's becoming even more important for all Americans to listen and learn about the many ways African Americans have contributed to this nation.
One amazing American we all should know is Marva Knight Collins. Born on August 31, 1936 in Monroeville, Alabama, Collins' early life was attending school in a strict, one-room schoolhouse. This learning experience would have a profound effect on her later in life.
After graduating from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, Collins returned to teach in Alabama. Eventually she moved to Chicago, and over the next 14 years, she taught in the inner-city Chicago Public Schools as a full-time substitute teacher.
Collins would marry Clarence Collins and together they would have 3 children. Although she had a happy homelife, Collins became very frustrated with the teaching techniques she witnessed in the public-school system. Using money from her personal funds, Collins started a private school in Chicago called the Westside Preparatory School. The low-cost private school was specifically designed to help teach low-income Black children who Collins felt had been mislabeled as being learning disabled.
The Westside Preparatory School became an educational and commercial success. Collins received recognitions and awards from the school house to the White House, where Collins was the National Medal of Humanities recipient presented by President George W. Bush. In 1981 a movie based on her life, entitled The Marva Collins Story aired on TV. Before her death in 2015, Collins also became an Honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
This is just one Black History story. Take time to learn more about Black Americans who have impacted our country and our world.
