This is our final installment for Black History Month and we are focusing on Black Athletes who have inspired us with their tremendous skills and commitment. Beyond athletic prowess, so many of these greats have shown themselves to be leaders who have used their platforms to speak truth to power, give back to communities in need and pave new ways for those who will follow. This should not be underestimated.
Though this month comes to a close, please remember that every day is an opportunity to dig deeper into our history and understand the ways the Black community weaves together our culture and society in the U.S. and beyond. Every month is Black History Month. Every day is a chance to understand more fully.
If you have any questions you can always feel free to reach out to LeTania Smith (letania.kirkland@gmail.com) or Kathryn Sutherland (kathryn.sutherland@lausd.net)
- The Equity Committee
Resources for Families
Athletes Throughout History
Hank Aaron: was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With his 755 home runs, he broke Babe Ruth's record despite despite numerous death threats and hate mail sent to discourage his ascendance.
Watch: Remembering Hank Aaron
Muhammad Ali: was a world renowned boxer who won the Heavyweight Championship at the age of 22, activist and philanthropist.
Watch: Muhammad Ali: Boxer and Civil Rights Activist
Simone Biles: In 2016 became the most the most decorated American gymnast of all time
Nick Galbadon, was the first documented Black surfer. Galbadon taught himself to surf on a borrowed lifeguard's paddle after paddling 12 miles to Malibu to avoid walking the sand on Los Angeles' segregated beaches in the 1940's.
Watch: 12 Miles North The Nick Gabaldon Story by NIKE
Wilma Rudolph: Rudolph was the first Black woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic games. In both 1960 and 1961, she was named the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year despite having contracting polio as a child
Watch: The Unbelievable Story of Wilma Rudolph
Debi Thomas: became the first Black woman to win a U.S. Figure Skating Championships title in 1986, and in 1988 the first Black woman to win a medal for the United States at the Winter Olympics
Watch: Debi Thomas - 1988 Calgary
Social Media to Follow
Black Surfers @black.surfers Allyson Felix @af85 , The most decorated woman in US Track and Field history, with nine olympic medals Blake Bolden @sportblake, The first Black woman to complete in the National Women’s Hockey League Nique Miller @nique_miller, Professional surfer on Oahu who is internationally ranked among the top 10 female competitive stand-up paddle surfers Hunter Jones @hunterjoness, Surfer + filmmaker Tie Simpson @hippie_heathen, Yoga and holistic wellness practitioner and the founder of Sisters of Yoga Collective created to empower Black Women in Yoga Lolo Jones @lolojones, US Olympic Track and Field hurdler and a US Olympic Bobsledder Chelsea Woody @chel.bythe.sea, Surfer and co-founder of @texturedwaves Zion Wright @zionwright, Professional skateboarder, Team USA Skateboarding team member and Red Bull athlete Kai Lightner @kailightner, 19-year-old competitive rock climber and 12-time National Champion. “L.” Renee Blount @urbanclimbr, Outdoor athlete and photographer and graduate of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.
Comunidad de Elysian Heights,
Esta es nuestra última entrega del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana y nos estamos enfocando en los Atletas Afroamericanos que nos han inspirado con sus tremendas habilidades y compromiso. Más allá de la destreza atlética, muchos de estos grandes han demostrado ser líderes que han usado sus plataformas para decir la verdad al poder, retribuir a las comunidades necesitadas y allanar nuevos caminos para quienes los seguirán. Esto no debe subestimarse.
Aunque este mes llega a su fin, recuerde que cada día es una oportunidad para profundizar en nuestra historia y comprender las formas en que la comunidad negra entrelaza nuestra cultura y sociedad en los EE. UU. Y más allá. Cada mes es el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana. Cada día es una oportunidad para comprender mejor.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse con LeTania Smith (letania.kirkland@gmail.com) o Kathryn Sutherland (kathryn.sutherland@lausd.net)
Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse con LeTania Smith (letania.kirkland@gmail.com) o Kathryn Sutherland (kathryn.sutherland@lausd.net)
- El Comité de Equidad
Recursos para familias
Atletas a lo largo de la historia
Hank Aaron: was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With his 755 home runs, he broke Babe Ruth's record despite despite numerous death threats and hate mail sent to discourage his ascendance.
Watch: Remembering Hank Aaron
Muhammad Ali: was a world renowned boxer who won the Heavyweight Championship at the age of 22, activist and philanthropist.
Watch: Muhammad Ali: Boxer and Civil Rights Activist
Simone Biles: In 2016 became the most the most decorated American gymnast of all time
Nick Galbadon, was the first documented Black surfer. Galbadon taught himself to surf on a borrowed lifeguard's paddle after paddling 12 miles to Malibu to avoid walking the sand on Los Angeles' segregated beaches in the 1940's.
Watch: 12 Miles North The Nick Gabaldon Story by NIKE
Wilma Rudolph: Rudolph was the first Black woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic games. In both 1960 and 1961, she was named the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year despite having contracting polio as a child
Watch: The Unbelievable Story of Wilma Rudolph
Debi Thomas: became the first Black woman to win a U.S. Figure Skating Championships title in 1986, and in 1988 the first Black woman to win a medal for the United States at the Winter Olympics
Watch: Debi Thomas - 1988 Calgary
Redes sociales para seguir
Black Surfers @black.surfers Allyson Felix @af85 , The most decorated woman in US Track and Field history, with nine olympic medals Blake Bolden @sportblake, The first Black woman to complete in the National Women’s Hockey League Nique Miller @nique_miller, Professional surfer on Oahu who is internationally ranked among the top 10 female competitive stand-up paddle surfers Hunter Jones @hunterjoness, Surfer + filmmaker Tie Simpson @hippie_heathen, Yoga and holistic wellness practitioner and the founder of Sisters of Yoga Collective created to empower Black Women in Yoga Lolo Jones @lolojones, US Olympic Track and Field hurdler and a US Olympic Bobsledder Chelsea Woody @chel.bythe.sea, Surfer and co-founder of @texturedwaves Zion Wright @zionwright, Professional skateboarder, Team USA Skateboarding team member and Red Bull athlete Kai Lightner @kailightner, 19-year-old competitive rock climber and 12-time National Champion. “L.” Renee Blount @urbanclimbr, Outdoor athlete and photographer and graduate of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.
