After receiving the widely circulated calendar recognizing distinguished African-Americans from South Carolina for more than 25 years, history came full circle for Dr. James L. Moore III when he was recently selected to be in it.
Nearly 100,000 children across the Palmetto State can expect to see Moore and 11 other influential African-American figures celebrated in the 29th edition of the South Carolina African-American History Calendar, unveiled on October 3 at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, South Carolina.
“Being a state that is 30 percent Black, it’s very important that young people recognize the contributions of African-Americans,” said Moore, the executive director of the Todd Anthony Bell National Resource Center on the African-American Male at Ohio State University and a nationally recognized expert on Black males. “Sometimes it’s portrayed in popular and scientific literature that African-Americans have not made any contributions to this country, and that’s far from the truth.”
His inclusion in the calendar brought back personal memories of his late mother who worked to get Moore a calendar every year since 1990.
“My mother, many years ago when I was in undergrad, used to send care packages and write notes and she said, ‘Son, look at this calendar…look at all of these wonderful African-Americans from my beloved South Carolina. Someday son, I can see you being in that calendar.’ And that’s what made that calendar so significant. She’s not here in the flesh…but it was a testimonial to what my mom saw in me.”
This year is the first year that the South Carolina Department of Education is the lead sponsor for the calendar. Previously, AT&T has presented the calendar for the last 29 years and it is a key sponsor in the calendar’s publication.
“The South Carolina African-American History Calendar honors our neighbors and friends who have lived their lives well,” said Molly M. Spearman, South Carolina Superintendent of Education. “It is my hope that their courage and determination will inspire you as students and citizens of South Carolina to strive to make a positive difference in our state and nation.”
