It is important for our youth to know their history and roots.

Educating yourself about your history is not only important, it also helps you know your identity. The school districts in our communities do not teach students about black history, if black history is mentioned in schools they often talk about slavery, although that is apart of our history it is’nt the only part. We come from greatness. Our ancestors were doctors, inventors, activists, and much more. The first black doctor in the United States was James McCune Smith. He was born April 18th 1813, and died November 17th 1865. He was the first African American to hold a medical degree and graduated at the top of his class at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He has impacted a lot of people, the college he attended, recently named one of there buildings after him. 

The black mind works in a lot of creative ways, African Americans are effortlessly talented. We have created multiple inventions, without our ancestors our life wouldn't be as easy as it is now. One of the great Black inventors was Garret Morgan, he invented the traffic light. Morgan also created a chemical hair- processing and straightening solution. His original intention was to create a liquid that prevented sewing machine needles from burning fabric. He accidentally discovered that the soultion can also be used for straightening hair. Lastly, he invented a smoke hood to protect firefighters from smoke. With that being said, know your history. There is so much to learn about black history. We have so much knowledge to offer here at the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum.