William Mattar Honors Black History Month

William Mattar Is Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses With a Grand Prize of $4,444.00

Voting has closed and we are excited to announce the winners!

Grand Prize Winner is Bridge Studios NY which will receive $4,444. Our runner-up is 14 Mafia Records which will receive $444. We are looking forward to presenting the prizes for them to invest in their businesses and will bring you more information about them in the coming days.

We would like to thank all of the participating businesses and would especially like to thank the thousands who voted!!

How Did Black History Month Begin?

Scholar and historian, Carter G. Woodson, also known as the “father of Black history,” was dedicated to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people. Woodson believed African American historical contributions were overlooked. In 1926 as an effort to preserve Black history, Woodson launched Negro History Week during the second week of February.

Ever Wonder Why Black History Month Is in February? 

Carter G. Woodson chose February for what began as a week-long celebration to recognize the contributions of Black Americans. February is the birth month for two historical figures who played significant roles in civil rights. President Abraham Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation born on February 12, 1809, and abolitionist, orator, and author Frederick Douglas born on February 14, 1818.

Woodson continued his scholarly journey and founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASALH). In 1976 the ASALH expanded the week-long celebration into a month celebration as President Gerald R. Ford acknowledged February as Black History Month with a presidential proclamation.

Every year, since 1928, the ASALH chooses a different theme for Black History Month. The 2023 theme is Back Resistance. Learn about this year’s theme and past themes Black History Month Themes

To learn more about the origin of Black History Month and this year’s special event highlights visit Black History Month.gov

Spotlight Organizations

Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center

The William Mattar, P.C. team is honored to introduce you to a treasure in Niagara Falls, NY. We had the pleasure of visiting the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Their brilliant and dedicated staff educate and empower visitors of all ages from all over the globe. The center is not your typical museum; this community space shares the stories of brave freedom seekers far beyond what textbooks provide. We encourage you to watch this video and see for yourself how much the center has to offer.

Project Mona’s House – Restoring Human Trafficking Survivors

Our team reached out to Project Mona’s House in Buffalo, NY, to educate ourselves on the life-saving work President & Founder Kelly Diane Galloway and her team do to support and restore human trafficking survivors.

Project Mona’s House exists to spread awareness about human trafficking and provide supportive, empowering, and safe environments to help restore the vulnerable population affected by this heinous crime.

Project Mona’s House offers services, both in-person and online. Kelly has taught us awareness is the best form of prevention, “The eyes don’t see what the brain doesn’t know.”

We encourage you to watch this video and learn how to spot human trafficking and protect, educate, and empower your community.

Explore. Learn. Change For The Better:

As we educate ourselves on Black History Month, we continue to be inspired by those who have challenged biases and work towards equality. We are sharing some links to encourage others to learn more about Black History Month. We are honored to shine a light on the visionaries and leaders of yesterday and today. Our great nation still has much work to do to bring peace and unity to all citizens. As we reflect on the progress that has been made, perhaps we can focus on what each of us can do to work together in the name of justice, freedom, and equality.

There are many historical sites, community centers and organizations committed to education and keeping the history alive while helping inspire positive change and growth.

• Virtually visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/collection
• A-Z African American Visionaries: https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/a-z-african-american-visionaries/
• Did you know the song ‘This Little Light of Mine’ has roots in the Civil Right Movement? https://www.npr.org/2018/12/24/679895682/how-the-civil-rights-movement-transformed-this-little-light-of-mine
• Read powerful poems about Black History Month: https://www.weareteachers.com/black-history-month-poems/
• Honor some of the most courageous servicemen of color like the Tuskegee Airmen https://tuskegeeairmen.org/ and Buffalo Soldiers https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/historyculture/buffalo-soldiers.htm
• Read about some of the civil rights leaders who hold a special place in history: https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/civil-rights-leaders
• Discover the United States Civil Rights Trail: https://civilrightstrail.com/
• Black leaders who are shaping history today: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/01/23-black-leaders-who-are-shaping-history-today.html
• Explore history and imagine the future of black history and culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/black-history-and-culture
• Explore African American Heritage in Western New York: https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/african-american-heritage/
• Honor Black History in Upstate New York all year long: https://www.getawaymavens.com/new-york-black-history/

There are countless resources online, and we welcome any additions you would like to see on this list. Please send your favorite link to [email protected] for consideration.