M9 and our employees continue to explore what Black History Month is all about. Here are more inspirational quotes and additional facts that we have learned and would like to share:
Motivational Messages
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama
“Anyone who claims to be a leader must speak like a leader. That means speaking with integrity and truth.“ – Kamala Harris
Honorable Historic Moments
In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. A Democrat, she represented the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.
In 1972 she became the first African American woman to run for president with a major political party. Aware that she would not win the nomination, Chisholm explained her motivation for entering the race,” The next time a woman of whatever color, or a dark-skinned person of whatever sex aspires to be president, the way should be a little smoother because I helped pave it.”
Inspirational Black Inventors
Shirley Jackson was the first African American woman to earn a doctorate at MIT, she is responsible for monumental telecommunications research that led to the invention of products such as the touch-tone phone, portable fax, fiber optic cables, and caller ID. In 2014 President Barack Obama named her the co-chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory.
Mark Dean, who earned a doctorate at Stanford University, is a co-inventor of IBM’s original personal computer and the PC color monitor, literally changing how we all interact with the internet. And the technology that enables printers, keyboards, and mice to communicate with your computer? That’s him, too.
Black-Owned Relaxing Resorts
Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), is the first owner of the 168-room Salamander Resort & Spa. Located in Middleburg, Va. It’s no surprise that this luxurious 340-acre property, located in the Virginia countryside, took a decade to build and design, opening its doors in August 2013. She is the first African American woman to attain a net worth of more than one billion dollars making it the first Forbes Five Star destination resort in the Washington, D.C region. Johnson is the only African American woman to wholly own a Five Star Resort and is partnered in monumental sports and entertainment which owns the Washington Wizards, Mystics, and current Stanley Cup Champion Capitals.
Meet the couple behind one of the finest hotels. Eddie and C. Sylvia Brown. Married for over 54 years, the Browns renovated the historic property, and made it into one of the city’s most lavish hotels. They refer to this location as an Oasis. It is called the Ivy Hotel located in Baltimore, Maryland. It’s one of the most elegant hotels in Baltimore. Its reputation exceeds it. Hospitality experts have praised the hotel repeatedly.
Meaningful Black History Month Thoughts from M9 Team Members
What does black history mean to me? by Calen W., Talent Acquisition Specialist
Black History Month is important to me because it is a time for highlighting the many scientific, educational, and social justice accomplishments and contributions that African Americans have to our country. It is a time for recognizing their central role in US history and the achievements of many. It is a time for rejoicing, celebrating, and thanking those who set the pathway and given hope for future generations to come and a life lesson to many that could be used. It is a month to look back and look forward to the revision we continue to make as a country step-by-step, day-by-day.