Mary Mcleod Bethune was an African American educator and civil rights leader. She was born in 1875 in South Carolina, the fifteenth child of former slaves. Bethune attended a missionary school for girls before going on to study at Scotia Seminary (now Barber-Scotia College) in North Carolina. In 1898, she enrolled at the Moody Bible … Read more
Malcom X was an African American leader who fought for the rights of black people. He is best known for his work with the Nation of Islam and his famous speech, “The Ballot or the Bullet.” In his autobiography, Malcom X describes his experience getting a “conk” – a hairstyle that involves straightening the hair … Read more
Alfred M. Green was an African American leader who gave a famous speech on the future of his people. In this speech, he used persuasive techniques to inspire hope and change in his audience. By understanding these methods, we can learn how to be more effective communicators ourselves. Green begins by appealing to his audience’s … Read more
John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher who is best known for his work on political philosophy and economics. In recent years, he has become increasingly popular as an important figure in the Black Lives Matter movement. Mill grew up in a family that was deeply committed to social reform and equality. His father, James … Read more
It would be hard to overestimate the importance of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Delivered on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the speech was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It helped to rally support for the cause and … Read more
