DID YOU KNOW? for April 2 – 15, 2024 

Amar Bose, born on November 2, 1929 as the son of Indian immigrant parents, became interested in technology at age 13 when he started repairing model trains to help support his family. Bose graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering in the early 1950’s and eventually developed Bose stereo speakers which are now considered the industry standard.  

Learn more about Amar Bose: https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/amar-bose

DID YOU KNOW? for March 19 – April 1, 2024

Did you know that one of the local community programs that PLATO's Education Fund supports is Literacy Network? PLATO's annual donation supports the program resources budget which includes textbooks for English language learning (ELL) and digital and online resources to enhance the ELL experience.

Literacy Network provides free literacy and English language education to Dane County adults. Their English as a Second Language, basic literacy, citizenship, and GED/HSED programs help participants build skills to reach their personal goals. Following a record-breaking 2023 (with 1,445 students served!), 2024 marks another milestone: Literacy Network’s 50th anniversary! 

Learn about volunteering, supporting, and more: litnetwork.org. And learn more about PLATO's Education Fund!

DID YOU KNOW? for February 27  – March 18, 2024 

Did you know there is a Crash Course on Black History? This online course is taught by Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed, last year's UW Big Read book. There are 51 episodes. Check out the Crash Course Black American History Preview here – note that you will have to tolerate a couple ads at the beginning.

DID YOU KNOW? for February 12  – 26, 2024

DID YOU KNOW? for January 30 – February 12, 2024 

Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson, U.S. Army Reserve, was the first African-American woman to achieve the rank of major general on October 1, 2011 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Anderson had previously served as the clerk of Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Wisconsin, located in Madison, Wisconsin. She retired from the military in 2016 after 37 years of service.

Learn more here: https://www.awfdn.org/trailblazers/maj-general-marcia-anderson-usar/ 

DID YOU KNOW? for January 16 – 29, 2024

Lewis Latimer (1848-1928), the youngest son born to parents who had escaped from slavery just six years before his birth, was a talented African-American inventor. Latimer worked in Thomas Edison’s lab and designed several light bulb improvements. He also made significant inventions in the areas of air conditioning and railroad cars.

Learn More:
https://invention.si.edu/innovative-lives-lewis-latimer-1848-1928-renaissance-man

DID YOU KNOW? for January 2 – 15, 2024  

Sheila Crump Johnson (Born on January 25, 1949) is the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. In addition to co-founding Black Entertainment Television (BET) and serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, Johnson is also the first African-American woman to be an owner or partner in three professional sports franchises: the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA).

Learn More:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Johnson

DID YOU KNOW – December 12, 2023 – January 1, 2024

Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer who collected 145,000 plant species – an incredible number – especially because she began collecting while in her mid-50’s! Mexia's discoveries continue to impact researchers today and her work can be viewed in many museums and universities.

Learn more: 

DID YOU KNOW? for November 28 – December 11, 2023 

Granville T. Woods (April 23, 1856 – January 30, 1910), nicknamed "Black Edison”, was an inventor who held various engineering and industrial jobs before establishing an electric apparatus company. Woods registered more than 50 patents in his lifetime! He was best known for inventing the induction telegraph in 1887. 

Learn more:  https://www.biography.com/inventors/granville-t-woods

DID YOU KNOW? for November 14 – 27, 2023

10 Million People. 10 Million Stories. 10 Million Names.

"10 Million Names is dedicated to recovering the names of the estimated ten million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America (specifically, the territory that would become the United States) between the 1500s and 1865. 10 Million Names is engaging a collaborative network of expert genealogists, cultural organizations, and community-based family historians. Together they seek to amplify the voices of people who have been telling their family stories for centuries, connect researchers and data partners with people seeking answers to family history questions, and expand access to data, resources, and information about enslaved African Americans.”

Learn More: 

https://10millionnames.org/