The Birth Of Black History Month

“I am ready to act, if I can find brave men to help me.” 

-Dr. Carter G. Woodson

If I could meet Dr. Carter G. Woodson, I would thank him for having the moxie to, nationally, raise our country’s awareness about the significant contributions African Americans made toward society. To a larger degree, he did not realize he would be gracefully recognized like those he admired. 

Dr. Woodson was born into slavery on December 19,1875 in West Virginia. Although he could not attend school early in his childhood due to poverty, the determined Woodson taught himself the basics until he was 17 years old.  At the age of 20, in 1895, he enrolled in high school and graduated two years later. Fourteen years after obtaining his diploma, in 1912, he became the second African American to earn his Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Once he completed his graduate studies, Dr. Woodson noticed the lack of distinguished African Americans presented in our “history books.”

Eager to change this historical account,   Dr. Woodson, in 1915, created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, and in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week as an effort to elevate our national consciousness to the notable efforts African Americans demonstrated throughout the country. 

He decided to place this celebration in February as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln (born in February 12, 1809) and Fredrick Douglass (born in February 20,1818) because of their positive and seismic influences on African Americans. 

As African Americans have shown through out history, change happens from thinking big ideas, communicating big ideas, and staying persistence with those big ideas. If our young minds understand and connect these three themes once this month is complete, our celebrations will be time well-spent.


-Rodney S. Lewis, Ed.D.

The Life and Legacy of Booker T. Washington

“There are two ways of exerting one's strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.” 

-Booker T. Washington 

The legacy of Booker T. Washington inspires me. No matter how many times I read about his life or his book, Up from Slavery, I am reminded of the courage it must have taken to advocate for people, who in some cases, were not very receptive to his advocacy.  

I wonder in 1881, when the Alabama legislature approved $2,000 for a trade school for African Americans to attend, how did he feel? What’s more, I wonder how he responded when General Armstrong, a white man and his mentor, recommended the 25 year-old Washington take on the challenge of starting and leading the school from nothing?

By the time Booker T. Washington died in 1915, 33 years after he opened Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University)-the college had accumulated over $2 million in funding, trained students in 38 trades, employed 200 faculty members, constructed 100 buildings, and enrolled 1,500 students. Booker T. brought his vision to reality. 

The complexity of his legacy is more amazing than his accomplishments. Politically, he advocated for African-Americans to play a submissive role in society and not interfere with whites, while behind the scenes, he challenged the legal system on racism and unfair practices.

I am moved because he understood the power of goal setting. During his time at Tuskegee, his mission was to help African-Americans gain financial independence through specific areas of training. 

Finally, Booker T. Washington’s passion for education is the central theme for me. His story tells us how valuable our work is to our students. Washington understood that without an adequate education, his students were servants to rigid opportunities. However, with one, our students are servants to their limitless possibilities.

-Rodney S. Lewis, Ed.D.

Leaders Of The Past: Fredrick Douglass

“If there is no struggle, then there is no progress!”
-Fredrick Douglass

As I was working on my dissertation, I came across some literature about Fredrick Douglass and was instantly intrigued. His story of slavery, writing and speaking, and his assistance in the Civil War has left a lasting impact on my thinking.

Douglass possessed the determination and persistence for greatness. As a young boy, he taught himself to read, ran away from his master by the age of 20 (that was the last time he was enslaved), and wrote three autobiographies: The Life of Fredrick Douglass, An American Slave in 1845; My Bondage, My Freedom in 1855; and the Life and Times of Fredrick Douglass in 1881.

For sixteen years, this former slave, authored a newspaper, went on a two year speaking tour in Great Britain and Ireland, delivered thousands of speeches, and was a prominent champion for ending slavery. 

His passion for racial equality was transparent once the Civil War arrived. Fredrick Douglass was one of the most influential men in the world, and that influence was noted in 1863 when President Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves from the Confederate Territory. 

Douglass went on to serve on several political positions such as the president of Freedman’s Savings Bank, charge of affairs for Santo Domingo, general counsel to the Republic of Haiti, and in 1872, became the first African American to ever appear on a presidential ballot as a vice presidential nominee. 

Fredrick Douglass shows our students that our start does not predict our ending. Believing in yourself, taking advantage of all opportunities, and using your written and spoken communication can effect positive change in the world.

If our students carry these three traits, like this American legend, they can change the world as well.

-Rodney S. Lewis, Ed.D.

The Five Leadership Traits My 3-Year Old Has Taught Me

" To a father growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter. "  -Unknown

1. Focus On 1 Task 

Once Sophia, starts watching her daily episode of Doc Mc Stuffins, on Disney Junior-for 22 minutes-nothing else exist. In her mind, she could not focus on her show if she were doing something else.

2. Speak Your Truth

I remember when Crystal cooked dinner and asked Sophia if she liked it. Sophia’s response was, “No mommy, I do not like it.” If you ask her a question, she gives you an honest answer. It is as simple as that. 

3. Be Decisive  

After picking Sophia up from school, she said she wanted to go to Pizza Street, a buffet restaurant of different types of pizza. I suggested Chevys or Chic-fil-A. She sharply replied, “No, daddy! I want to go to Pizza Street.” I suggested the alternative restaurants 4-5 more times. The same response was replied back to me. We went to Pizza Street.

4. Ask Questions

“Daddy, what shape is this?” “Daddy, can I have some candy?” Daddy, are we going to school today?” “Daddy, can we play?” She does not assume anything and understands if she wants to know something, she must seek out the knowledge.

5. Use Your Imagination

I cannot tell you how many times I have turned our house into a super hero battleground between Spiderman (Sophia) and the Big Lizard (me). Spiderman always wins. She is always playful at heart with a smile on her face. 

Learning is around all of us. Sometimes, the teacher is an unlikely source. These five leadership traits stay with me during every walkthrough, parent phone call, and student interaction. What are you learning from an unlikely source?

-Rodney S. Lewis, Ed.D.