The Journey - Recognizing Black History As a Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, like W. E. B. Du Bois before him, believed that truth could not be denied and that reason would prevail over prejudice. His hopes to raise awareness of African American’s contributions to civilization was realized when he and the organization he founded, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), conceived and announced Negro History Week in 1925. The event was first celebrated during a week in February 1926 that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. (Excerpt from an essay by Daryl Michael Scott, Howard University, for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) Why Black History Month still matters in 2017 - The merits of designating a month for examining black history in America may be debated by some, but most scholars agree that a better understanding of the past is crucial to future reconciliation. Click here for the full article. Founder Leonard W. Miller and Members Donate Memorabilia to the Smithsonian The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History received a number of objects from Black American Racers Inc. (BAR) in a donation ceremony Feb. 1. Former owner and president Leonard W. Miller and former members of BAR will present the donation of authentic memorabilia used during the team’s operating days. The objects include clothing, race victory trophies and awards given to Miller, as well as the iconic steering wheel from the Formula Super Vee driven by the late BAR driver Tommy Thompson. For the Full Story, Click Here.  Hallmark Mahogany Introduces Exclusive New Jill Scott Collection Offering Poetic Sentiments, Encouragement and Lyricism--For the Full Story, Click Here.  THIRTEEN’s American Masters Presents Exclusive U.S. Broadcast Premiere of Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, February 21 on PBS During Black History Month -- For the full story, CLICK HERE Gabrielle Union to launch a new Hair Care brand for women with textured hair March 2017; Flawless by Gabrielle Union When electrifying beauty and unsurpassable talent join forces, Flawless by Gabrielle Union is born. A hair care line designed specifically to cater to the needs of textured hair, the collection boasts the perfect everyday solutions for achieving both healthy hair and styling versatility. Flawless by Gabrielle Union is inspired and designed by Union herself. She has been completely hands on in building the hair care company, as owner, along with her longtime manager Jeff Morrone, Senior Partner of Primary Wave Entertainment. Her role encompasses brand development, marketing, formulation and creative direction for the collection. For the Full Story, Click Here. OWN       OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network's “Greenleaf” from Lionsgate wiil return on March 15. The first eight episodes of the new season will debut on Wednesday, March 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.  For the Full Story, Click Here. For more stories, go to www.unityfirst.com. Send your information to jfondon@unityfirst.com.