life.style: Black Celebration - 26, 27 & 28 of 28

life.style: Black Celebration - 26, 27 & 28 of 28

Making History Today!

First African American First Family; no description needed!

Remember, African Americans making history did not end in the 1960s; there are notable people making strides in every facet of American culture and lifestyle, from business to politics, sports to music, to arts and media. There was once a time where I was truly amazed at the triumphs and accomplishments of African Americans during times of oppression and discrimination, and wondered why during present times (with fewer barriers and greater opportunities) we were not achieving as much as a people. I then grew, broadened my perspective, and opened my eyes to the world around me, and realized history is still being made everyday.

Ursula M. Burns is the first African American woman CEO to head a Fortune 500 company, serving as chairwoman and CEO of Xerox Corporation (2010), also becoming the first female CEO to succeed another woman as head of a Fortune 500 company. Burns has been recognized among the top business professionals in the world, being listed as one of  FORTUNE's Most Powerful Women in Business and Forbes' Most Powerful Woman in the World.

Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy, a former professional football player and retired coach in the NFL, had a career of several notable achievements. Dungy was the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl (Indianapolis Colts, 2007), and only the second African American coach to even lead his team to the Super Bowl. After his Super Bowl win, he became the 6th man to play in a Super Bowl and be the head coach of a Super Bowl team, and the 3rd man to win Super Bowls both as a player and a head coach. Other accolades include being the first NFL head coach to defeat all 32 NFL teams, the youngest assistant coach (at age 25), and the youngest coordinator (at age 28) in NFL history.

 

Tiana was the first African American princess in the Disney Princess franchise, and only the second American princess depicted in a Disney film (The Princess and the Frog, 2009). Although not a human in the flesh, the impact of her existence is undeniable. Taking over seven decades to come to fruition, black girls and women finally had a face that looked like ours to go along with our fairy tale fantasies of happily ever after!

Thank you so much for following us this month for our black celebration; just know that cultural recognition should not end when the clock strikes. Continue to be proud, and continue to make history today!