July 16–23: Powerful Moments in Black History You Should Know

**This Week in Black History: July 16-23**July 16, 1862 marks the birth of Ida B. Wells-Barnett in Holly Springs, Mississippi. A passionate journalist and anti-lynching advocate, her editorials incited such fury among Whites in Memphis that her newspaper was burned. Wells-Barnett co-founded the NAACP and mirrored Rosa Parks’ defiance in 1884 when she resisted a train conductor's demand to relinquish her seat, resulting in her dramatic ejection.On July 17, 1794, Richard Allen dedicated the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, the first all-Black denomination independent from White churches. Fast forward to 1862, amidst the Civil War, a law was enacted allowing President Lincoln to recruit free Blacks into military service.Jumping ahead to July 18, 1918, Nelson Mandela’s birth in South Africa marked a future icon of anti-apartheid activism. He emerged from 27 years' imprisonment to ultimately lead as the nation’s first Black president.This week reflects pivotal moments in Black historical narratives, embodying resilience and courage.