THE AFRICAN AMERICAN NETWORK (TAAN)

Courtney McClure explains the vision to increase minority participation in the construction industry in San Antonio.

T C Calvert Sr.has directed his energy to bringing the contracting businesses together.  TC, as he is known in the city of San Antonio has a history, reputation and track record for organizing and energizing groups that traditionally need an advocate to help open doors for justice and change. TC facilitated a meeting today at the Barbara Jordan Center that was very inclusive.  Representatives from the City of San Antonio were in attendance, a representative from the Asian Chamber was present, a female Hispanic owner of a very profitable construction company was present; representatives from the construction business community were present.  Everyone from bankers, to construction company owners to department heads with the city, with SAWS and a team of people dedicated to ensure that the voice of the business community is heard. Tommy Calvert Jr. spoke very candidly about the disparity that exists among minority businesses in San Antonio.  A small business owner himself, understa

SA Ques Step at Culture Fest AKAs Step to a Serious Matter Phi Beta Sigma Step at Culture Fest

Tommy Calvert Jr. is a San Antonio native and the son of the Iconic Civil Rights leader Tommy "TC" Calvert Sr., visited India during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and talks about the connection between the civil rights movement in America and India.

By Laura Thompson DreamWeek goes viral around the city of San Antonio surrounding one of the most important holidays celebrated in the city.  It was sparked by an idea to do something more to create awareness of the largest march in the nation.  San Antonio with a population of a little over 100,000 African Americans produces a march that exceeds the population.  And the marchers are from all walks of life, all ethnicities and includes people from all across the city and from other parts of the country. You see the march started out very grassroots and with just a hand full of people and to see what it has become is something short of a miracle.  But the true miracle happened in January of 2013, when a forward thinking creative genius was bold enough to think that he could create a 12 day event surrounding all of the existing MLK activities produced by the MLK Commission.  Sho Nakpodia dared to dream of events taking place throughout the city for 12 days and just like Martin Lut

HARLEM RENAISSANCE After the American civil war, liberated African-Americans searched for a safe place to explore their new identities as free men and women. They found it in Harlem. Read on to find out how this New York neighborhood became home to some of the best and brightest minds of the 20th century, gave birth to a cultural revolution, and earned its status as "the capital of black America." The Great Migration Harlem: The Black Mecca The Harlem Renaissance Culture Comes Together The Jazz Age The End of The Renaissance THE GREAT MIGRATION The end of the American Civil War in 1865 ushered in an era of increased education and employment opportunities for black Americans. This created the first black middle class in America, and its members began expecting the same lifestyle afforded to white Americans. But in 1896, racial equality was delivered a crushing blow when the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case declared racial segregation to be constit

Though she’s up for a Grammy, first lady Michelle Obama isn’t planning to attend the awards show this weekend. Obama hasn’t scheduled a trip to Los Angeles for Sunday’s event, according to a White House official. The first lady was nominated in the “Best Spoken Word Album” category for a taped reading of her book “American Grown.” Competing for the same Grammy: Former President Bill Clinton, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and singer-songwriter Janis Ian. While she's unlikely to go, Obama has named her picks for evening’s big awards.  According to People , the first lady wants Frank Ocean to take home “Album of the Year” and Kelly Clarkson to win “Song of the Year” for “Stronger.”

1773: Phyllis Wheatley, a Boston slave, becomes the first African-American to publish a work Her book of poetry is titled  Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral  and focuses on her upbringing and on religion. After its publication, Ms. Wheatley travels to London to promote it, and  George Washington  comments that he likes her work. Phyllis Wheatley was born in Gambia, Senegal and was forced into slavery at the age of seven. Also in 1773,  slaves in Massachusetts petition the government for their freedom .

Arthur Ashe was a top ranked tennis player in the 1960s and 70s. Raised in the segregated South, he was the first African-American male tennis player to win a Grand Slam tournament. He was much more than an athlete though. His commitment to social justice, health and humanitarian issues left a mark on the world as indelible as his tennis was on the court. This site is dedicated to providing a unique multimedia resource for understanding and promoting the legacy and values embodied in the life and work of Arthur Ashe as a conscience leader, humanitarian, educator and athlete. 

Rosa Parks did not mind standing up for what she believed in...thanks for paving the way for all of us.

by Laura Thompson Bishop Samuel Edward Iglehart, senior pastor of Childress Memorial Church of God in Christ, says it will endure: “Whatever was taken from us, God will restore.” But he said it’ll probably be months before rebuilding can be considered. Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News City Councilwoman Ivy Taylor (center) is overcome with emotion as she’s greeted at the scene by church member Tiffanie Wilson. For today, at least, the congregation will worship downtown at the Convention Center. Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

The  March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom  took place on  August 28th, 1963 in Washington D.C.  More than 200,000 demonstrators took part in the walk.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his ‘‘ I Have a Dream ’’ speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, noting that the Emancipation Proclamation gave hope to black slaves. The following year Congress passed the  Civil Rights Act of 1964  as a concrete step towards fulfilling the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation.