black history – Page 3

Black History Facts: The First Amazon Review is In!

Heyy, ya’ll hey. Our first review for Black History Facts is in!

This is from SLT on Amazon. Thanks so much!

“The enlightening compilation “Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School” questions the traditional historical narratives and highlights a multitude of noteworthy occasions, personalities, and movements that are frequently disregarded or sidelined in traditional schooling.

This book provides readers with a thorough examination of lesser-known but incredibly significant facets of the black experience, serving as a monument to the richness and diversity of black history. From African ancient civilizations to the American civil rights movement, each chapter reveals a historical jewel that offers priceless insights into the tenacity, inventiveness, and accomplishments of black people across time.

By emphasizing Black history’s crucial significance in influencing communities and cultures all around the world, it undermines the limited perception of Black history as merely a footnote in the greater story.”

My new book, Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School, is available now on Amazon!

Note: If you’d like to review this book on your blog, let me know!

American History X

In High School, my history teacher made us watch American History X.

For those who’ve seen it, you know how graphic the movie is. And yet, we sat there, fifteen and sixteen years old, consuming this content with no explanation or breakdown of what we were looking at.

As an adult, I can watch it with new eyes and understand the powerful messages embedded within. But, as a teen, I found the movie disturbing, particularly the part where Derek made that Black man put his mouth on the concrete. It took years for me to get that image out of my head. Even now, if I watch it, I fast-forward past that part. It still disturbs me.

I had never seen anything like that before and was surprised that my white male teacher had allowed us to watch it. Nothing was censored. We saw everything, from the racist violence to the rape in the jail scene. And I had questions no one could answer.

It’s a powerful film with tons of messages about race, racism, and life choices, and it changed me.

I just wish my teacher had given a lesson to accompany it rather than allow us to be babysat by the TV.

This is one of many examples of why I am so adamant about how we present history and teach it. My biggest prayer, and hope, is for the young people coming after me to have a deeper understanding of history in ways I didn’t.

I hope Black History Facts is a start.

Thank you to all who have been on this journey with me since I first announced I was writing a history book three years ago.

Thank you to those who trusted me enough to preorder it so early and for all the love you’ve shown to the history videos on Instagram and TikTok.

Now that the book is out, we can move forward to doing more to help restore black historical truth for the freedom of all people.

This is only the beginning, and I am so humbled to have you with me.

My new book, Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School, is available now on Amazon and everywhere online books are sold!

Things I’m Tired of Hearing During Black History Month

There are a few things I am tired of hearing every February, but let’s call this part one.

I am tired of hearing “Black history is everyday,” or some variation of this every time Black History Month comes around.

While I agree with the sentiment, it is frequently expressed by folks who, for 11 months of the year, never discuss Black history or any campaign they are advocating to educate the masses.

Black History Month wouldn’t have to exist if, instead of regarding it as a footnote, the true history of African Americans was widely taught and not as an elective.

And, perhaps, Black History Month wouldn’t have to exist if we could name other leaders and activists outside of MLK.

Maybe, if we knew about Irene Morgan and the Journey of Reconciliation, we’d better understand Rosa Parks, the Bus Boycott, and the Freedom Riders.

Perhaps, if we understood Nat Turner’s rebellion, we would know why it became unlawful for Blacks to read and write during slavery and use it as a catalyst to promote reading in the African American community.

It is wise for scholars, researchers, and historians dedicated to teaching year-round to use this moment to impress this knowledge on young people who are only thinking about their heritage in February.

As unfortunate as it is (with all of its 28/29 days), most people’s hearts are more open to learning during February than any other month, so let’s use it to our advantage. Perhaps we can spark inspiration where there was none, and people will begin to study Black history outside of this month.

Until then, consider it a doorway by which we can shine some light with almost certainty that people will pay attention, even for a moment.

Imagine you were enslaved on a plantation, and someone approached you with an opportunity to be free. Wouldn’t you take it?

Imagine you were the person to free someone else, but you only have a short window to do it. Wouldn’t you take it?

Just a thought.

Need a resource? Make sure you preorder your copy of Black History Facts coming to you on the 24th!

Add “Black History Facts” on Goodreads!

We are a month away from release!

If you are on Goodreads, please be sure to add my new book, Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School, to your Want to Read list!

You may post your review there now if you’ve reviewed an early copy.

If you want a free ecopy to read in exchange for an honest review, I have a few I am willing to give away! The only requirement is to leave a review on Amazon.

You can preorder the paperback, hard copy, eBook, or bundle now at blkhistorybook.com.

About.

Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School is a historical guide on Black Americans’ accomplishments, contributions, and struggles. It includes the experiences of Black individuals who have often been marginalized, overlooked, or omitted from mainstream historical accounts.From the resilience of women like Anna Douglass, first wife of Frederick Douglass, to the many Black communities that prospered, recognizing and celebrating Black history helps to ensure that these stories are acknowledged and that the achievements and resilience of Black people are valued and appreciated.

Order Your Copy Here

Legacy

Have you ever sat back to consider that the lives your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles lived is a form of history?

The world they grew up in is a different world than the one we are living in today. Even as recent as the 70s and 80s. That world no longer exists. I am fascinated by this. How did the world operate before I came to be? What were things like before I existed?

How often do we sit down to talk to our elders to glean wisdom from their lives?

Sitting at their feet and listening is the most accessible research we can do on our own personal history.

We learn more about the storyteller and ourselves as our lives are wrapped up in theirs.

Coursing through your DNA is the experiences and the trauma of your ancestors. Wouldn’t it make sense to learn more about their story and, as a result, learn more about yourself?

I was not a fan of history in school. It didn’t intrigue me at all, and I found it boring. Passing was easy. All you had to do was read material that was never explained and memorize dates with no meaning.

I was in the second grade when I first learned about Emmett Till. His story stuck with me because it was the only form of Black history I had learned in school until High School, and even then, it all started with the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King. It was as if our people didn’t exist before sit-ins.

It felt like we were still being enslaved, in a way, dehumanized through omission. A people forgotten, our legacies erased.

I only became curious when I learned more about my people. Black history intrigued me. The things we’ve invented, the struggles we’ve overcome, the way we just keep bouncing back.

When people can see themselves, something amazing happens. I didn’t care about history until I could see myself. My forefathers’ life piqued my interest, and out of that curiosity, I read.

The rest is, well, history.

You can still stream my interview episode on iDefineTV on Roku! Also, don’t forget to preorder your copy of Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School before January 24th to be part of the first shipment!

Cover Reveal: Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School

It’s been a long time coming!

What started as a profound series on this blog has been transformed into a full-length history book you can carry with you!

Inspired by the Black History Fun Fact Friday series, I am incredibly honored to finally introduce the book version, Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School.

My greatest hope is that after reading this book, you are equipped with enough information to spark conversation and, if necessary, participate in your own activism for the continual education and restoration of Black historical truth.

May it bless the hearts and minds of people outside of yourself.

Share it with your children, spouse, colleagues, co-workers, students, family, friends, and young people.

May it be a reawakening, a restoration, or even a song.

May the stories of our ancestors strengthen and carry us like the Negro spirituals of old.

May this work act as its own redemption song.

Preorder now at blkhistorybook.com.

The Black Bundle

The Black bundle includes the paperback version of the book, the audiobook, and matching companion notebook.

Imagine reading and listening to the book as you take notes!

The Black Paperback

The Black Paperback includes a signed paperback with matching bookmark.

The Black Ebook

The Black ebook is the digital version of the book you can read on your phone, Kindle or any e-device.

For ARC copies, and media inquiries: yecheilyah@yecheilyahysrayl.com.

My Viral Experience on TikTok (What I Learned)

I wouldn’t say going viral is fun. I find it overwhelming. However, it could be less stressful if you are prepared. Here’s what I am learning.

Proper Preparation

When I first joined TikTok, I made my account a business account. I didn’t wait until a bunch of people followed or anything like that because I knew I wanted to use it to increase awareness about my poetry and black history book. I added my website link, which I customized for TikTok like I did on IG.

SN: I stopped using Linktree years ago. While I love it, I wanted to brand my website, not Linktree so I created a specialized page on my website for my social media pages. For Instagram it looks like this, and for TikTok it looks like this.

This made it easier for people to sign up to my email list and visit my website to order books once my videos took off. Without this seemingly small act, I would have been stressed about where to direct all these people. Thankfully, I had somewhere for them to go if they wanted to learn more about me.

Don’t Worry About the Numbers, Just Post Your Content

I immediately noticed that once a video goes viral, people binge the rest of your content. This means that even if your posts aren’t doing well (regarding numbers), you should continue to post! This way, you are not frantic about what to post next after your viral moment.

I had tons of other black history videos, and poetry content people could watch while I worked on creating more videos.

Every post on my page averaged over a thousand views after that one viral video. I followed this up with a welcome video, directing people to my email list, and then I posted again today (7/19) a whole week later.

The viral video is on its way to a million views, and I have reached 15K followers, up from the 3K I had when I first posted.

SN. I have never used ads or paid anything to boost my videos on TikTok. All my growth is organic.

Changes to My Account

After 5K follows, you can no longer see who views your posts. I don’t like this change because I enjoyed being nosy. (lol) I like to see who is just watching versus who is taking action.

You now have the option to create a playlist to organize your posts. I like this because I can now separate my poetry videos from the Black history ones. Even though the black history is more popular, I still do poetry and I don’t want my audience confused. You will get black history but you gonna get these poems too.

You can now have people subscribe to your page instead of just following it, apply to TikTok’s creator fund to start making money and sign up for the TikTok shop.

That’s it so far!

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