PeopleConnect Celebrates Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black Americans’ achievements and contributions and recognize their central role in our country’s history. It is also an important opportunity to acknowledge the adversity and inequality faced by Black Americans - both in the past and present.

PeopleConnect is committed to promoting and furthering equality for Black Americans and supporting their contributions to our society. See some of the ways we are celebrating Black History Month below.

A Tribute To Black Innovation

In line with the importance PeopleConnect places on innovation, we will be highlighting a different Black innovator each week for the month of February. We’ll dive into their background and their incredible accomplishments, inventions, and contributions.

See who we’ll be covering below but be sure to follow us on social media and stay tuned each week to learn more about these brilliant Black innovators.

1. Marie Van Brittan Brown

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PeopleConnect (@peopleconnect.us)

*Inventor of the home security system*

After feeling unsafe in her own home in Queen, Brown invented the first home security system, which influenced modern home security systems that are still in use today.

2. James E. West

Inventor of the electret microphone

West’s invention revolutionized modern communications and is in 90% of all microphones, including those found in cell phones, baby monitors, and more!

3. Mae Jemison

First Black woman to go to space

Jemison pivoted away from her first career path as an accomplished general physician to pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut. On September 12, 1992, she made history and became the first African-American woman to go to space aboard the Endeavour.

4. Kenneth J. Dunkley

Inventor of 3D- glasses

While researching human vision, Dunkley made the breakthrough discovery that by blocking two points in someone’s peripheral vision, he could transform two-dimensional visuals into three-dimensional space.

Support Black-Owned Small Businesses

It is no secret that we have a lot of pride in our hometown cities of San Diego and Seattle. Especially over the last year, it has become more important than ever to shop local and support small businesses to help them weather these uncertain times.

As part of our Black History Month celebration, we’ve rounded up some of the incredible black-owned small businesses in San Diego and Seattle. From delectable gourmet donuts to classic vinyl, check out our list of San Diego and Seattle small businesses to support. It is by no means a complete list, however, a good place to start. Most of these spots also offer safe ways to dine and shop, like take-out and delivery options and online shopping sites.

San Diego Eats

Nomad Donuts Gourmet Donuts ｜North Park

Muzita Abyssiinian Bistor Ethiopian Cuisine | University Heights

One WorldBeat Cafe Vegan International Soul Food | Balboa Park

Cane Patch Kitchen Southern Cuisine | Point Loma

Coop’s West Texas BBQ Texas-Style Barbecue| Lemon Grove

Maya’s Cookies Vegan Gourmet Cookies | Mission Valley

Hanna’s Gourmet International Cusine Meal Kits | University Heights

Flavors of East Africa East African Cuisine | El Cajon

Spacebar Wine Bistro Cafe and Smoothie Bar | La Mesa

Sunnie’s Ocean Beach Mexican Cuisine and Coffee | Ocean Beach

San Diego Shops

Dirt Don’t Hurt Non-toxic personal and cleaning products ｜Online and available and various local boutiques

Fivespace Record Shop | North Park

Freshly Faded Barbershop and boutique | North Park

Cassandra Shepard Designs Painter, Jewelry and Clothing Designer | Balboa Park

Garden of Fragrance Fragrance Shop | Oak Park

Seattle Eats

Island Soul Rum Bar and Soul Shack Caribbean and Lousiana Soul Food｜South Seattle

Fats Fried Chicken and Waffles Southern/New Orleans Cuisine | Central District

Jones BBQ Barbecue | West Seattle

Plum Bistro__ Vegan Bistro | Capital Hill

Emerald City Fish and Chips Southern-Style Seafood | Mount Baker

Kezira Cafe Ethiopian Cuisine | Columbia City

Majorie__ Farm to Table International Cuisine | Capital Hill

Cafe Avole Coffee, Sandwiches, Pastries | Rainier Valley

Tougo Coffee Coffee and Baked Goods | La Mesa

Scoop Du Jour Ice Creamery | Madison Park

Seattle Shops

Sukie’s Candle Co. Hand-Poured Soy Candles｜Online

Garden-Based Tea Subscription Box | Online

Valerie Madison Jewelry Fine jewelry | Madrona Location and Online

Lika Love Boutique | Queen Anne and West Seattle Locations + Online

Exclusive Boutique__ Boutique | Central District Location + Online

More Ways We’re Celebrating Black History Month

Be sure to follow us @peopleconnect.us on Instagram. Each week, you can learn more about one of the incredible innovators mentioned above. We’ll also be giving some recommendations for music and movies that celebrate Black artists.