BARBARA SPENCER-DUNN'S ASALH INSPIRED JOURNEY TO CENTER BLACK TEENS IN THEIR VIBRANT HISTORY - PART 1- Ep. 4

BARBARA SPENCER-DUNN'S ASALH INSPIRED JOURNEY TO CENTER BLACK TEENS IN THEIR VIBRANT HISTORY - Part 1

with Barbara Spencer-Dunn

Episode 004

Meet Barbara Spencer-Dunn, an executive council member for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). It is an association founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Week that evolved into Black History Month.

In this episode of the Blacknificent Life! Podcast, SisterDoc Mwangaza Michael-Bandele sits with Barbara Spencer-Dunn as she shares how she was inspired as a child to write the book Before and Beyond the Niagara Movement: As the Youth See It.

Spencer-Dunn explains the importance of having parents and a community influenced by the work of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Listen in to learn the value of understanding African history in order to accurately understand African American history as a grounding for raising healthy Black children.

“I wrote ‘Before and Beyond’ because of my upbringing. All that I learned as a child taught me how critically important it was for people to know their history.” Barbara Spencer-Dunn [6:10]

Takeaways

• How to inspire young Black teens to achieve better academically


• One important purpose of teaching Black history to help children better understand themselves.


• The power of the media and how it impacts Black self-perception.


• The importance of teaching young people to respect elders of the community.

Key Moments 

[3:54] Barbara Spencer-Dunn describes growing up in the 1950s in a sheltered home and  community that was adamant about teaching Black self-regard. 

[6:08] The importance of learning and understanding the history of America.

[8:30] Barbara Spencer-Dunn talks about the contents of her book Before and Beyond the Niagara Movement

[10:17] Spencer-Dunn gives an example of relational history that connects events and encourages a fuller understanding of African American history. 

[12:36] Spencer-Dunn talks about an element of character development that is covered in her book, that encourages people to appreciate their current status in life, as they grow and learn.

[15:44] Spencer-Dunn explains how her book relates to all people regardless of their religion even though biblical references are included

[19:45] She mentions the schools and programs where her book has been adopted as formal curriculum.

[21:42] She talks about the Kiamsha youth empowerment organization and how it uses history to empower youths to be better people in society. 

[24:16] Spencer-Dunn explains how the Kiamsha organization incorporated Before and Beyond into their curriculum.

References

Barbara Spencer-Dunn via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-spencer-dunn-565ab439/

Before and Beyond the Niagara Movement: As the Youth See It , Barbara Spencer-Dunn

Amazon Link : https://www.amazon.com/Before-Beyond-Niagara-Movement-Youth/dp/0983515700