Robert William Reneau, a musician, singer, dancer, composer, playwright, producer, artist, broadcaster, teacher and choreographer for many years in his native country of Belize, is considered a national treasure and a pillar of the country’s arts and culture. Honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, he performed before royalty and presidents,…
In 1905, Robert S. Abbott founded The Chicago Defender, which became the most widely circulated black newspaper in the country, came to be known as “America’s Black Newspaper” and made Abbott one of the first self-made millionaires of African-American descent. Abbott met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the Prophet Founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, in…
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S….
As we celebrate Black History Month, we think of Lucy Higgs Nichols (April 10, 1838 – January 25, 1915) was an African American escaped slave, and a nurse for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Known affectionately as “Aunt Lucy”, her sole photo shows her surrounded by veterans of the 23rd Indiana Volunteer…
Ronald Erwin McNair (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was an American NASA astronaut and physicist, and a member of the Bahá’í Faith. He died during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-L, in which he was serving as one of three mission specialists in a crew of seven. In 1976,…
Gladys West is an American mathematician who is known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, that were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS). She was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in…
The plight of Iran’s Baha’i community is well-documented. And there is a way for you to help. Facing systematic persecution in their homeland, many have sought refuge in neighboring countries like Turkey. However, for the approximately 2,000 Iranian Baha’is currently living there, the situation has become increasingly precarious. Years in Limbo Many of these Baha’is…
BIC GENEVA — A highly significant report published by the eminent human rights organization, Human Rights Watch, states that the Iranian government’s 45-year systematic repression of the Bahá’í religious minority amounts to the crime against humanity of persecution under international criminal law. The new 49-page report, titled “The Boot on My Neck: Iranian Authorities’ Crime…
Spring paints Claremont, California, in vibrant hues each April, and this year is no exception. Beyond the city’s natural beauty, a rich calendar of events promises something for everyone, from art enthusiasts to film buffs to those seeking intellectual stimulation. A Feast for the Senses: Art, Film, and Music Art lovers can immerse themselves in…
The celestial ballet of a total solar eclipse is a sight to behold. Witnessing the sun’s corona, a wispy halo of plasma, emerge from behind the moon is an experience that ignites awe in skywatchers. But for the upcoming total solar eclipse gracing North America on April 8th, 2024, a dark cloud – or rather,…
