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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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Events

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MY'STORY

The MOVE Fire

This is a personal recollection on the Move fire on May 13, 1985 Philadelphia police fired thousands of rounds at the MOVE house, city officials approved dropping an explosive device on the roof, the resulting fire was allowed to burn, 11 people—including five children—died, and 61 homes were destroyed. Philadelphia City Council later called it a “brutal attack carried out by the City of Philadelphia on its own citizens” and acknowledged that no individual faced criminal consequences for the bombing. One timeline correction worth preserving for the BHP record: the major previous MOVE-police confrontation was August 8, 1978, about seven years before the bombing, not a year or two earlier. Officer James Ramp was killed, other police and firefighters were wounded, nine MOVE members were later convicted, and television cameras recorded police beating Delbert Africa during his arrest. The 1985 MOVE Commission later specifically criticized city planners for failing to adequately use lessons from that 1978 confrontation. And that actually strengthens the point you’re making: 1985 did not happen without precedent or institutional memory. There had already been a deadly confrontation with MOVE, years of conflict, negotiations and police involvement before Osage Avenue.

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BLACK FACTS
The Truths They Never Taught You...

Ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa. Details recorded here should be sourced; unknown information is left blank.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 4 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Cover of Black Enterprise Magazine owned by Robert L. Johnson

Date
March 2003
Description
The cover of the March 2003 edition of Black Enterprise magazine. Featured on the cover is a color photograph of Robert L. Johnson. The close-up shows Johnson holding an NBA basketball on the rim of a basketball hoop. Johnson is standing behind an orange and white basketball hoop, with the hoop at chest level. He holds the basketball in place, on the rim and against the clear, acrylic backboard, with his proper right hand. His proper left arm is resting on the rim in front of him. He is wearing a taupe color suit and a black collared shirt. The court’s sideline is painted blue, and the court is natural wood colored. In the background are rows of blue seats. The top forth of the cover is dominated by the masthead printed in black shadowed, large, white text that reads [BLACK / ENTERPRISE] with small black text below that reads [YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT]. The date is printed below and to the right [March 2003]. The main cover line is printed across the center in blue and white text that reads [SlamDunk! / Billionaire / Bob Johnson / Acquires An / NBA Franchise]. The other bylines, printed in black and orange text in the bottom right corner reads [Teaching Your Kids / About Money], [Is Your M.B.A. / Worth Anything?], [Last-Minute Tax Tips], and [Inside: Teenpreneur!]. In the top right corner is a small orange banner with black text that reads [Hot Fashion Boutiques]. Printing in the bottom left corner is a black and white barcode and the website for the magazine. The cover is mounted inside a marbled brown and orange double mat. The back is covered in white foam board.
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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert L. Johnson, Founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and First African American Majority Owner of a National Basketball Association Team, The Charlotte Bobcats
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2020.16.3.1
Restrictions & Rights
© Black Enterprise
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product) with cardboard and Fome-Cor (TM)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 17 × 13 3/4 × 1 in. (43.2 × 34.9 × 2.5 cm)
H x W (image): 10 1/2 × 7 1/2 in. (26.6 × 19 cm)
H x W x D (sheet): 14 15/16 × 12 × 3/16 in. (38 × 30.5 × 0.4 cm)
Title
Object Name • Cover of Black Enterprise Magazine owned by Robert L. Johnson
Record ID
nmaahc_2020.16.3.1
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
COVER OF BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE OWNED BY ROBERT L. JOHNSON
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
2000s
Geo Location
City • Bethesda • County • Montgomery County • State • Maryland • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • New York City • State • New York
Online Media Rights
Use Restricted

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. Rights and restrictions shown above are supplied by the Smithsonian record.

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NMAAHC

Cover of Black Enterprise Magazine owned by Robert L. Johnson

Date: Date

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NMAAHC

Press release announcing the formation of Black Entertainment Television

Date: Date

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NMAAHC

Color photograph of Mae Reeves & Donna Limerick posing outdoors

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NMAAHC

BET jacket worn by Robert L. Johnson

Date: Date

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TOPIC OF THE DAY

Greenwood / Black Wall Street

Before the 1921 destruction of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, Black residents had created a remarkable center of business and community life. The district included stores, professional offices, entertainment venues and homes owned by Black citizens. Understanding Greenwood means learning what was built—not only what was burned.

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TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY

Who was the first African-American woman millionaire in the United States?

Madam C.J. Walker