🖤✊🏾 This Week in Black History: Echoes & Empowerment

John Lewis Commemorations & “Good Trouble” Rallies
In honor of the fifth anniversary of civil rights icon John Lewis’s death (July 17, 2020), cities like Nashville and Jacksonville hosted commemorative marches retracing his steps in early student-led sit‑ins .
A nationwide “Good Trouble Lives On” protest was held on July 17 in over 280 cities—from San Francisco to Houston—bringing citizens together in non‑violent demonstrations inspired by Lewis’s rallying cry.

BrownstoneJAZZ in Brooklyn
A historic 19th-century brownstone in Bed‑Stuy has become a vibrant jazz parlor recalling the Golden Age. Founded by Debbie McClain with Eric Lemons, it combines live performances with storytelling on legends like Max Roach and Lena Horne. The venue attracts multigenerational crowds and educates on Black musical heritage.

Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration
Continuing through July 20 in Indianapolis, this flagship annual event promotes Black business, education, health, and the arts. Highlights include free health screenings, film showings, workshops, and concerts featuring artists like Keith Sweat and SWV.

Restored Windrush Portraits in London
After vandalism on July 3, the “Windrush Untold Stories” exhibition in Brixton was repaired, honoring Caribbean migrants of that generation. Community fundraising ensured restoration and underscored global support for preserving Black diasporic culture.

Liverpool Uncovers 1805 Slaver Ship Ad
The Liverpool Black History Research Group found an original 1805 advertisement for the slaver ship Metis, once docking at Canning Dock. This finding is informing a £100 million redevelopment, including public spaces that confront Liverpool’s role in the slave trade.

On This Week in Historical Memory
– July 25, 1972: AP exposed the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment that killed over 100 Black men.
– July 25, 1805: Liverpool’s slave passage (related to the Metis) reflects brutal early 19th-century practices.
These anniversaries both reveal institutional injustice and the ongoing need for public remembrance.

Lupita Nyong’o on Uterine Fibroids
The Oscar-winning actress shared her decade-long struggle with fibroids, undergoing surgeries for 30 tumors. Highlighting a condition affecting up to 80% of Black women, Nyong’o is now advocating for research through the U‑FIGHT Act and policy partnerships.

Upcoming Biography of Jesse Jackson
CNN’s Abby Phillip is publishing "A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power" this October. The work explores Jackson's presidential bids, his influence on Black voter mobilization, and ties to leadership today.

Honoring Black leadership: From John Lewis’s legacy marches to Jesse Jackson narratives and community celebrations, this week emphasizes the power of sustained political and social activism.

Preserving cultural history: Venues like BrownstoneJAZZ and the restored Windrush portraits showcase the importance of storytelling and cultural spaces in strengthening community identity.

Recognizing medical inequities: Lupita Nyong’o’s advocacy highlights a longstanding health disparity that has often been overlooked—and empowers Black women’s voices in medical research.

Facing historical truths: The uncovering of the Metis slaver ship ad and remembering the Tuskegee scandal both serve as potent reminders that confronting painful legacies is essential for lasting justice.