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Hidden Figures of American History; Paving the Way Forward

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Imagine, a little “colored girl” (the term at the time) born in White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, in 1918, excelling as a mathematician at NASA and charting John Glenn’s Friendship 7 mission in 1962, making him the first American to orbit the Earth; rocketing the United States to the top spot in the race for space. During the segregation era of the 1950s and ’60s, that’s just what Katherine Johnson did. Breaking barriers not only as an African-American woman but as a respected mathematician at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  From an early age, Katherine’s brilliance with numbers was recognized by her parents, Joshua and Joylette Coleman. But, because Greenbrier County did not offer public schooling for African-American students past the eighth grade, the Colemans arranged for 10-year-old Katherine to attend high school at nearby town Institute, West Virginia.  Katherine graduated from high school at 14 and entered West Virginia State Co
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  The holidays can be a magical time to share in the wonders of children and their anticipation of Santa and unwrapping that special gift on Christmas morning. It can also be a wonderful time for family reunions with games and hot cider in front of a fire. But, for those less fortunate, it may represent a time of despair and loneliness; reliving memories of a lost loved one or homelessness with no presents for the children and the unbearable pain that must bring. With my first article for Ginzy Magazine, ​Inky Johnson - The Lesson: “Be a Blessing in Someone Else’s Life”​, I was introduced to this remarkable young man whose lifelong dream to play professional football was cut short by a tragic accident during a college game, resulting in his right shoulder and arm being paralyzed. But, despite his dream being crushed, he’s made it his mission to inspire hope and generosity with actions as much as words. What a great philosophy of life; enriching the lives of others as well as our own by
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  As a mother, I understand the pride we feel in our children’s achievements. Watching them grow and reach their goals and dreams. So, Toshawa Andrews, mother of rising competitive figure skater - Starr Andrews , must be beaming with extra pride sharing in the amazing journey and rightly deserved recognition of her daughter; a shining star who is wowing audiences around the world with her masterful skating skills. Starr is a vibrant up and coming 16- year-old championship figure skater who’s not shy about going for what she wants. She is the 2017 U.S. national junior silver medalist and placed 12th at the 2017 World Junior Championships. Today, she’s focusing on the 2018 and 2020 Olympics. Starr Andrews She is also a precious gift; fulfilling a dream once held by her mother, becoming a “star” in the highly competitive world of Championship Figure Skating. I was mesmerized by Starr’s skating prowess in a recent video o
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The Happiness Jar of Blessings

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 The arrival of the New Year always brings with it resolutions about how we’ll be more successful, get in shape, start a new lease on life, etc... The standard question of the day is “What’s Your New Year's Resolution?” My question is why is it that we find the need to look at what’s lacking in our lives? Why do we find the necessity to repent in some way, shape, or form? How can we be so optimistic at the beginning of the year; full of hopes and dreams but come December, find ourselves full of regret over whatever our failed resolutions may have been? I recently read a human interest story of a New Zealand man, Gordon Pryor, 60, waking just before dawn on December 29th to an alarming discovery, a strange young man asleep on his sofa. However, instead of jumping to the conclusion that the young man meant him harm, he decided to find out his story. Pryor told the New Zealand Herald: “I’ve traveled the world a bit and you know a few things, and you know your capabilities if you have
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Be a Rainbow in Someone's Cloud

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A belief that we should be a rainbow and that anyone can make a difference in another person’s life is a philosophy I both respect and admire, especially in a ten-year-old child. Amariyanna “Mari” Copeny​ is that “Rainbow” in her community as she lives her life on a mission to make things better. You may have heard of Mari, as she’s also known as “Little Miss Flint”, coming to national recognition in 2016 after penning a letter to President Obama asking to meet with him or Mrs. Obama on her Washington trip with her mother to hear Michigan Governor Snyder’s testimony before Congress. Mari meets President Obama She wanted to ask the President to visit her hometown of Flint, MI to bring his special brand of comfort to the residents of her city. Upon reading her letter the White House contacted Mari with the incredible news the President wanted to meet her on his planned trip to speak with Flint residents. In light of the poisoning of the city’s water system, one would expect that her atti
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“He’s a motivator. He’s an inspiration. He’s a Michigan Man.”

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Yes, Austin Hatch is that Michigan Man who has miraculously survived not one but two tragic plane crashes in his life. The first occurring in 2003, claiming the lives of his mother, Julie; brother, Ian; and sister, Lindsay. And, in 2011, Hatch lost his father, Stephen, and stepmother, Kimberly in a second deadly crash — nearly losing his own life.   I can't imagine living through that nightmare of losing my mother and siblings, but, remarkably, Austin's fortitude pushed him to excel as a star basketball player at Canterbury School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In June of 2011, that strength of will resulted in the unexpected blessing of receiving the call that would change the course of his life; a dream offer of a full-ride basketball scholarship to his late mother's alma mater and his ultimate school of choice, the incomparable University of Michigan. Adding the cherry on top, it was delivered personally by Coach John Beilein.   But, his joy was not to last once again, fate int
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