February.   It’s a whole lot more than Valentine’s Day. Forget the flowers, chocolates, and cards for one day, but take a step back and realize that February is National Black History Month. Black History month was recognized as a national monthly celebration in 1976 under President Gerald R. Ford.  The story of this celebration, however begins 61 years earlier with historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland, who founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT:      Maggie Johnson January 30, 2015                                                    901.729.2871 mjohnson@maagov.org West Tennessee Day Trippin’ Bus Tour celebrates African American heritage and boosts the regional economy Highlighting the region’s rich historical and literary heritage Memphis, TN – Three West Tennessee communities gear up again for an increased number of visitors…

It’s Happening Again!  West Tennessee Heritage and “Roots” Bus Tour! First 5 Reservation on each tour are FREE! Call and reserve your spot now 901-527-3427 or email heritagetours@bellsouth.net MAAG Black History One Pager – Final

January was a good month to be born. January 8th January 15th Two people, or Kings significantly changed not only Memphis and West Tennessee’s history, but the world’s. January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia.  A Baptist minister and civil rights activist, this man became the heart and soul of racial reform during the mid-1950s, by playing a pivotal role to end segregation throughout the US. “I have a dream that my four children will one…

Black eyed peas = Good FortuneLentils = Wealth Circular Foods = Good Luck Soba Noodles = Longevity Food shaped like Coins = Prosperity Greens = Luck Pork = Rich and Happiness Cornbread = glories of gold It’s finally arrived…2015! As we ring in the new year, we all begin to get our resolutions together and fill our superstitious tummies with food to bring us luck, wealth, and happiness.  Many of us have the same type of resolutions: losing weight, work out more, eat…