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Celebrating Black History Month with Xavier Riddle!

In North America, February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate, honour and reflect on the historical achievements made by people of African descent. Today, and every day, is a great time to celebrate Black leaders and changemakers and their incredible accomplishments that helped change the world.

Join us as we revisit some of the extraordinary Black heroes we meet on Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum and learn how their experiences can inspire us in our own day-to-day lives and remind us we all have what it takes to change the world.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.

In the episode “I Am Maya Angelou”, the characters from Xavier Riddle are sent back in time to meet her. Xavier, Brad and Yadina learned that they should always “Use your words for good” – an important lesson that kids can take with them anywhere they go!

George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist and inventor who studied plants. He worked to improve the lives of African American farmers in the South. George studied how farmers could plant different crops instead of the same crop over and over. This made the soil healthier so the cops could grow better. George wanted to take care of the Earth, and even though he was born more than 150 years ago, his lessons are just as important today.

In the episode “I Am George Washington Carver”, our friends from Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, Brad, Xavier and Yadina travel back in time to meet George Washinton Carver, who shares with them some wise tips on how to take care of the earth.

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was an American activist in the civil rights movement. And she was a very courageous woman, who never gave up until she got equality for all people. One of the things Rosa is best known for was her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man and move to the back on a municipal bus.

In the episode “I Am Rosa Parks”, the characters from Xavier Riddle are sent back in time to meet Rosa Parks. Xavier, Brad and Yadina witness firsthand how Rosa reacts to being treated unfairly, both as a young girl and as an adult, when she was asked to give up her seat on that municipal bus in 1955. A historic moment in time that helped ignite the birth of the modern American civil rights movement, all because of her courage to stand up for what’s right!

Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall was an American lawyer and civil rights activist who served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from October 1967 until October 1991. Marshall was the Court’s first African-American justice.

In the episode, “I am Thurgood Marshall”, Thurgood Marshall told Xavier, Brad and Yadina to “Remember our one very important rule, be fair to everyone.”

Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston was an American author and anthropologist who wrote stories based on her own experiences and struggles. She believed that every story was meant to be told, and brought people together.

Zora often told true events in her stories, highlighting her own experiences and what she saw happening around her. This led her to be one of the leading figures for the Harlem Renaissance, which helped Black writers and artists gain control over the representation of Black culture and experience.

Click here to learn more about Zora via the PBS Learning Media site.

Frederick Douglass

On September 3, 1838, Frederick Douglass began his escape from enslavement by boarding a train dressed as a sailor. He went on to be a social reformer, abolitionist and a leader in the fight for freedom. In this clip, we travel back in time to meet the great Frederick Douglass himself, who teaches Xavier, Yadina and Brad that learning can take you anywhere!

Harriet Tubman

There is no one better to teach us about courage than the amazing Harriet Tubman. Born into enslavement, Harriet escaped and went on 13 missions to rescue others. Although she was scared, her courage is what helped her to bravely move forward.

Learn more about Harriet’s courage in the face of enormous risk via PBSleaningmedia.org

 

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer, often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella. She was noted for having great tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and was well known for her scat singing abilities.

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Thank you for joining us on this journey back through time highlighting some of history’s great Black heroes and changemakers!

If you are looking for more ways to celebrate Black History Month with your kids check out these 7 easy and inspiring activities via the PBS Parents’ site. Each activity draws inspiration from historical figures in Black History, whom Xavier, Yadina, and Brad traveled back in time to meet. And if you don’t want to miss a single Xavier Riddle adventure update make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news out of the Secret Museum.