These documentaries do not simply teach the past; they explain the present. They show how laws, protests, art, and identity connect across generations; civil rights marches, modern activism, African independence movements and cultural revolutions.
History is often written by those who hold the pen, but the Bridge of Freedom initiative is about those who hold the memories. In a closed-door rehearsal for our upcoming event at Mother Bethel AME, our panelists gathered to prepare for what promises to be an evocative fireside conversation. What began as a logistical check-in quickly evolved into an exploration of what it means to be free in a global diaspora.
2026 is a year of “poly-crisis,” climate instability, economic fragmentation, political polarization, and weakened institutions. Old leadership playbooks are failing. However, Africa has always produced leaders who knew how to govern, organize, and endure in the face of chaos.
February really is that ‘short but mighty’ month. Not only is it Black History Month, but the universe decided that so many of our legends would be born during the very month we set aside to honor Black excellence.
I attended Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2026 Budget Address at the Pennsylvania General Assembly which afforded me a firsthand look at the legislative priorities shaping our Commonwealth.
West Africa is not new to political crises; from sanctions, coups, and political impasses, the region has seen the best and worst of it. For the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the regional bloc has been at the forefront of addressing concerns faced by its member states and of finding solutions to ensure peaceful relations within the region.
When Carter G. Woodson organized Negro History Week in 1926, he intended a focused antidote to historical erasure. One hundred years later and under ASALH’s 2026 theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations”, communities across the United States and the African diaspora are asking: what has changed, and what still needs doing?
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, FunTimes Magazine, in collaboration with Lincoln University, is launching the Bridge of Freedom Oral History Initiative. Our mission is urgent: to document the untold stories of African and Caribbean co-leadership in the U.S. Civil Rights movement before they are lost to time.
“We have a wonderful history behind us… If you are unable to demonstrate to the world that you have this record, the world will say to you, ‘You are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of democracy or anything else’.”
—Carter G. Woodson, Father of Black History Month.
You may have heard the term STEM, but what does it stand for? It is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But before it became a buzzword, it was already alive in our communities. From skincare formulas mixed in kitchens to our parents fixing what couldn’t be replaced, Black communities have always blended science, technology, and innovation into everyday life.
