Vivien Thomas. The Janitor Who Revolutionised Heart Surgery

In 1930, a young Black man, Vivien Theodore Thomas, arrived at Vanderbilt University, officially employed as a janitor but deeply passionate about medicine. With no formal training beyond high school, he impressed Dr. Alfred Blalock so profoundly that he rapidly progressed from sweeping floors to mastering complex surgical techniques in the lab 

In 1941, Blalock brought Thomas to Johns Hopkins, where alongside cardiologist Helen Taussig they embarked on pioneering work to treat “blue baby syndrome” (Tetralogy of Fallot).

Thomas conducted hundreds of experiments in animals, developing the methodical precision needed. On November 29, 1944, during the first human operation,

Thomas stood behind Blalock, coaching every move from a step stool. His contributions saved countless lives and ushered in modern heart surgery.

Say Her Name — Althea Gibson

Let’s be clear, before there was Serena, before there was Venus, before global sponsors, center court interviews and headline-making prize money there was Althea Gibson.

In 1957, Althea didn’t just win Wimbledon. She broke it.

She smashed through the country club walls of exclusion and served notice to a world that never expected a Black woman to hold a tennis racket, let alone a championship trophy.

This isn’t just Black history. This is American history. This is world history. But it’s also the kind of history they won’t put in your textbooks, the kind they won’t show in your highlight reels. That’s why we’re here to remind you, to reclaim the narrative and to honor our heroes the way they deserve to be honored.

We Were There Then, We're Here Now!

Take a good look at this photo.

Look closely. What you see is not just Black excellence it’s Black legacy stitched into the very fabric of American history. These proud, bold, unstoppable Black cowboys and cowgirls were not sidekicks in history’s story. They were the story.

The image you're looking at is a reminder that the story of America. Yes, including the story of country music, of the open frontier, of cowboy grit cannot and must not be told without recognising the contributions of Black Americans.

You see, the roots of country music don’t just run through dusty towns and Grand Ole Opry stages. No, my brothers and sisters, they reach back to the songs of the enslaved . The spirituals, the work songs, the field hollers and the blues birthed in bondage but soaring with soul. That’s the real music of America. That’s…

Clara Belle Williams:

A Legacy of Resilience, Education and Empowerment

Clara Belle Williams’ life story is a testament to unyielding determination, the transformative power of education and the indomitable spirit of Black women. Born in 1885, in Plum, Texas, Williams overcame the systemic racism of her time to leave an enduring legacy that continues to inspire Black academics, students and educators. Despite the obstacles she faced, her resolve to achieve higher education and uplift her community is a powerful reminder that perseverance can transcend even the harshest barriers.

Williams was the valedictorian of the 1908 graduating class of Prairie View A & M University (formerly Prairie New Normal and Independent College), an institution historically known for empowering Black students. As a young woman with an unrelenting thirst for knowledge,…