“I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up.” -Rosa Parks
By Courtney Wright
Welcome to February everyone, the month of love and Black History, we made it.
The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent. This group sponsored the first Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” As we kick off Black History Month, I wanted to acknowledge the history of how it came to be.
In addition to finding opportunities to celebrate and honor Black History Month with local organizations and neighborhood events, consider supporting the Black Restaurant Challenge; an effort spearheaded by our very own State Rep. Chynah Tyler. The Massachusetts restaurant industry generates $24 billion annually, yet African Americans represent just 3% of restaurant and bar owners in the state. To amplify and support these essential businesses, the Black Restaurant Challenge invites everyone to dine and drink Black throughout February. Follow the movement on Instagram at @TheBlackRestaurantChallenge, and join us in celebrating. The Black Restaurant Challenge, created in 2018 by State Representative Chynah Tyler, is a platform to connect Black-owned businesses with diverse communities while driving meaningful economic impact. “When we intentionally support Black-owned restaurants, we’re investing in our communities. These spaces represent creativity, culture, and access to endless opportunity,” said Representative Tyler, Fmr. Chair of the MA Black and Latino Caucus. Included on the list of restaurants being promoted throughout this month is Mission Hill’s FLAMES. Please have a meal or three at Flames this month and when you do, tag @theblackrestaurantchallenge.
While you’re on that block- Solid Ground Café, the Mission Bar and Grill and Penguin Pizza are all having various Valentine’s Day specials for you to check out. Solid Ground will be celebrating love all week next week with sweetheart cookies, strawberry tarts, and deliciously comforting chocolate brownies, YUM. Penguin Pizza and the Mission will both feature drink and food specials all next week for the Valentine’s holiday (still being curated so check back on their social media and @MHMS_Boston for updates) so come share in the love on Huntington Ave! Around the corner at Yellow Door Taqueria, love (and tequila) is truly in the air, and as creative as ever. Looking for the perfect Galentines Day party gift? Yellow Door has got you covered. Treat your friends to strawberry coconut margaritas and fresh flowers! These YDT Margarita Bouquets are also a perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Each YDT Margarita Bouquet includes an extra large margarita mixer (makes 10 margs)- just add your favorite tequila, 2 heart shaped straws and a mini flower bouquet! These will be available for purchase through Monday, February 10th by 5 p.m. for pick up on February 13th and 14th at Yellow Door. You can order via their website, www.yellowdoortaqueria.com or via @toasttab. Keep your eyes peeled for other happenings and specials this month for Valentine’s and Black History Month. If you have something to promote that isn’t in this article, reach out and I can share it on social media and other channels as well.
Before romance, comes practicality- this Saturday that means heading over to Boston Building Resources. It is time for their “Fixit Clinic” set for February 8th! Don’t throw it away – fix it! Bring something you need fixed or mended to this free event at Boston Building Resources on Saturday, February 8, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Whether it’s a bicycle, electronic gadget, small appliance, or garment that needs mending, you can get help from a Fixit Coach to walk you through repairs.
Fixing and reusing items rather than throwing them away is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact. Extending an item’s useful life preserves the energy and resources that would be needed to manufacture a replacement. The Fixit Clinic will take place at Boston Building Resources, 100 Terrace Street, Roxbury Crossing, 02120. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fixit-clinic-tickets-1112031539269?aff=oddtdtcreator
A final announcement and information to keep in mind: Join Neighborhood Business Manager Libin Duale at her weekly office hours on Wednesday and Thursdays at Mike’s Donuts from 12:30-2:30. Libin works for the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion and Boston Main Streets to provide support to the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill and Upham’s Corner and their business community. If you want to set up a time to chat with Libin, please reach out to her at 617-635-1978 or [email protected]. Even if you don’t need to set up a meeting, stop by and introduce yourself!
If there is anything I missed that you’d like to promote or have shared on social media, please reach out: [email protected].