AroniSmart - Person of Year

Selma: Commemorating the 56th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Marches; Stacey Abrams Leading the Way to Achieve John Lewis' Dream

Selma March with Martin Luther King, Jr

Sunday March 7, 2021 will mark the 56th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomey, Alabama march, known as the “Bloody Sunday.” In 1965 civil rights activists and marchers were beaten by the police while trying to march to Montgomery. The annual event will, this year, take place during unprecedented times in the United States of America, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the annual Bridge Cross Jubilee in Selma, “Beyond the Bridge: People Power, Political Power, Economic Power,” will be virtual, instead of being attended by the usual thousands and thousands of people.

According to organizers, among the events planned over the weekend is the speech by President Joe Biden during the Unity Breakfast on Sunday and the virtual crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Honoring Rev Martin Luther King Jr Day in 2021

Rev Martin Luther King Jr at Selma March 1965

Monday, January 18, 2021 is Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are held in the Unites States nationwide. The day is usually marked by massive commemorations including march protests to remember and celebrate the national civil rights leader who was instrumental in challenging the racial caste system that delineated how millions of Americans lived their lives and promoted racial injustices targeting minorities, especially Blacks. This year is unique: Rev Martin Luther King Jr.'s the birthday falls in a period of major political changes, including transition to a new presidency, and racial tensions in the United States and in the middle of a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

Kamala Harris: AfroAmerica Network Black Woman of Year 2020

Kamala Harris and Joe Biden on a Campaign Trail

Kamala Harris, the US Vice-President elect, is currently California Senator and served as former district attorney and California State Attorney General. She is the first Black woman to be on a U.S. presidential ticket, hence will be the first Black Woman to be US Vice-president.

Evariste Ndayishimiye: AfroAmerica Network Black Man of Year 2020

General Evariste Ndayishimiye sworn in as President of Burundi, June 18, 2020

General Evariste Ndayishimiye is one of the freedom fighters who liberated Burundians from years of oppression. He is the current President of Burundi. Democratically elected on May 20, 2020, he was initially due to take office on August 20, 2020 at the end of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza' s term. The sudden death of the latter on June 8, 2020 at the age of 55 after 15 years in power changed the situation. General Evariste Ndayishimiye, was sworn in on Thursday June 18, 2020, becoming the 10th President to rule the country, but only the second to be democratically elected.