Black History Month serves as a time to pay homage to the contributions, struggles and triumphs of Black Americans in our nation. However, many impactful stories never made it into the history books. This year, NELSON teammates are shining a light on some very important, but lesser-known stories of Black history.

Maya Angelou Quote: “When you know better you do better”.

Deed of Gift, Robert Carter III 

Robert Carter III was the grandson of Robert “King” Carter of Virginia. The Carters were a prominent slave-holding family and although their names are often forgotten in history books, their inner circle included Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. In the years during and immediately following the American Revolution, Robert Carter III went through a sort of religious awakening and began to question the morality of the practice of slavery. At the time, he had at least a dozen plantations and more than 500 slaves. Following the laws of Virginia (at the time), Carter decided he was going to free all his slaves. In 1791, Carter filed his Deed of Gift with the county courthouse. This Deed of Gift was a schedule that included the names of every one of his slaves he intended to free and the dates on which they would gain their freedom.

Carter’s Deed of Gift is significant for many reasons. It was the single largest case of a slave owner manumitting his slaves (more than 500) before the end of the Civil War. Many enslaved persons in this country cannot trace their lineage prior to the Civil War because records of the names, ages, birthdates, etc. were not documented. Carter’s Deed of Gift allows some descendants to find the names of their enslaved ancestors, what plantation they lived on, and in some cases, who their other family members were.

“…I have for some time past been convinced that to retain them (slaves) in slavery is contrary to the principles of religion and justice, and that therefore it was my duty to manumit them if it could [be] accomplished without infringing the laws of my county and without being of disadvantage to my neighbors and the community at large.”

-Robert Carter III, Deed of Gift, August 1, 1791.

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How an Enslaved African Man Shared a Revolutionary Way to Prevent Smallpox.

In 1721, a smallpox epidemic struck in Boston. This highly contagious virus was killing hundreds during a time of lesser medical advancements. It was an enslaved man named Onesimus who brought vaccinations to America and changed everything.

Onesimus was purchased in 1706 by Cotton Mather, a prominent Puritan minister. Though Mather held a great distrust for Onesimus, he knew that the man was clever. Around 1716 Onesimus described to Mather the process of inoculation that had been performed on him and others in his society in Africa. This was a process where they would cut the skin and put in a drop of the “juice of Small-Pox”. Amid the spreading sickness of Small-Pox throughout Boston in 1721, Mather brought this vital information to Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, who, despite a major pushback against the idea, managed to successfully inoculate 240+ people. It is noted that Boylston first tried the inoculation on his 6-year-old son and two of his slaves first. As a result of the inoculation only six people experienced death compared to 844 deaths experienced by non-inoculated smallpox patients.

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What is Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Why is it Under Attack?

CRT is an academic concept that is more than 40 years old. The core idea is that race is a social construct, and that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies.

The topic has exploded in the public arena recently—especially in K-12, where numerous state legislatures are debating bills seeking to ban its use in the classroom. Several events of the last decade have increased public awareness about things like housing segregation, the impacts of criminal justice policy in the ’90s, and the legacy of enslavement on Black Americans.

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1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

The 1921 Attack on Greenwood was one of the most significant events in Tulsa’s history. Following World War I, Tulsa was recognized nationally for its affluent African American community known as the Greenwood District. This thriving business district and surrounding residential area was referred to as “Black Wall Street.” Greenwood Avenue featured luxury shops, restaurants, movie theaters, a library, pool halls and nightclubs. In June 1921, a series of events nearly destroyed the entire Greenwood area.

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Bruce’s Beach

In 1912, Willa and Charles Bruce bought a parcel of land in Manhattan Beach, California. They operated a lodge, café, and dance hall on the property and the area became known as Bruce’s Beach Lodge. It was a refuge for Black beachgoers to enjoy a weekend away. Eventually the couple was harassed, threatened and forced out. In 1924, city officials condemned the property and forced the Bruces to sell and leave, robbing future members of the Bruce family of generational wealth from the land.

In the fall of 2021, the Bruce family got their beach back. The historic Bruce’s Beach case is inspiring social justice leaders and reparations activists to fight for other Black families whose ancestors were also victims of land theft in the United States.

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Lewis Howard Latimer – Inventor

While Willis Carrier is credited with creating the first electric air conditioning unit in 1902, Lewis Howard Latimer is credited with creating the first evaporative air conditioner (swamp cooler) in the 1800’s. Lewis was an inventor and draftsman best known for his contributions to the patenting of the light bulb and the telephone. He held seven patents (below) and was recruited by Edison Pioneers where he created the ‘electric lamp’. Lewis is in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. 

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The Black History of Lady Liberty 

The iconic Statue of Liberty was built to recognize the end of slavery. Édouard de Laboulaye, of France, first proposed the idea of this monument in 1865. He was an expert on the U.S. Constitution and was sitting on a reparations committee overseeing payments to freed, formerly enslaved people. At a meeting of abolitionists at Laboulaye’s home, per Berenson, via the Washington Post: “They talked about the idea of creating some kind of commemorative gift that would recognize the importance of the liberation of the slaves.”

Ten years later, the sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi designed it. The initial iteration had the Lady holding broken chains in one hand. A final iteration has the broken chains at her feet.

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MORE RESOURCES

Read

• The Women Who Preserved the Story of the Tulsa Race Massacre
• 10 Amazing Black Architects Whose Work has Shaped America

Listen

• The Institute of Black Imagination Podcast

Attend

• NOMA UNPLUGGED Conference, Nashville
  October 25-30, 2022

Get Involved

• ACE Mentor Program

Some attorneys start to get nervous when workplace designers discuss the private office. Why? We live in a corporate world now dominated by open layouts and free address plans, some very successful and others, less so. As law firms continue to modernize and explore trends that were long ago adopted by other industries, we’re seeing more of them embrace progressive space concepts than ever before. Does this mean dedicated, private attorney offices are on their way out?

COVID-19 is not only changing the way we live, it’s changing the way we work. With much of the country, and world, facing uncertainty, remote working can feel like an added burden on top of an already stressful situation.

Deep. Breaths.

We are in this together and NELSON designers from across the country are sharing their favorite workplace tips, tricks, and recommendations to create an at-home office environment that feels comfortable, functional, and uniquely you.

It might not be ideal, but it’s the new normal, so let’s make the best of it!

Create a dedicated space that’s functional

Whether you have access to a private room or you’re working within 500 square feet, make sure to carve out a dedicated space to work (that’s not your bed), so you are able differentiate your work hours with your personal time.

• Try to create a space away from other activity (you don’t want this to be a multi-functional space, if possible).
• Make your space comfortable and ergonomic. Some furniture companies have even been loaning out ergonomic desk chairs to help the transition.
• Consider your table/desk and chair height. Your legs and arms should be bent at a 90-degree angle to prevent back aches and carpal tunnel.
• Use a stool under your feet (or box, yoga block, or whatever you have handy) if your chair is too high, to bring your legs to the right position.
• Your computer screen should be an arm’s length away from you and should be placed even farther if you have a larger-than-normal screen size.
• Your eyesight should be straight forward at the screen (your eyes should be at center or 1/3 from the top of the screen), not looking down to prevent headaches. Prop up your screen with books if it isn’t high enough.
• Consider your background for video calls. Try to avoid messy or busy-looking backdrops, instead look for bookcases, organized shelving, or solid colored walls. It’s also good to have a consistent light source, either a window or lamp to the side of you, but not behind you which will make you hard to see on camera.
• Try and keep your work surface clean and organized.
• Have a notepad handy to capture meeting minutes, reminders, and ideas as they come to you throughout the day, so you don’t have to get up.
• Choose a well-lit area and think about adding a task light for additional exposure.
• If possible, face a window so you have access to natural light and a stimulating view.
• Surround yourself with plants or flowers. If you don’t have indoor plants, pick greenery from your yard, purchase a bouquet at the grocery, or even utilize fake plants to replicate the feeling of the outdoors.
• It is also important to remember all our WELL initiatives when working from home… to learn more check out our latest post on how to stay WELL while remote!

Stick to a routine

Creating a routine and sticking to it can add normalcy during this time of uncertainty. Consider these tips to help you form a routine while working from home:

• Develop a new routine as soon as possible and stick to it! Developing new habits will help you adapt to and normalize your new work environment (this can also help other family members better adjust to the change).
• Make sure you wake-up and go to bed at your normal hours.
• It is easy to lose track of time, so think about setting an alarm for breaks, meetings, or quitting time.
• It helps to get ready for the day as if you were going into the office (get out of those pajamas).
• Set a hard schedule for a lunch break and make sure to get up, walk around, and disconnect from work.
• Just like a normal day at the office, make sure to stay connected – embrace video conferencing and webcams so you can see your teammates, clients, and partners.
• It is OK to schedule online social time to have conversations with no agenda (or better yet a virtual happy hour at 5:00) … everyone needs a break throughout the day.
• Finally, make sure to give yourself something to look forward to at the end of your workday – whether that’s a glass of wine, video game time, or walking your dog in silence, let that be a daily celebration.

Take advantage of the perks

While it might be hard to look on the bright side during this time, remote working allows us the added benefit of freedom. We have the ability to customize our work experience – whether that’s with music, scent, or location. Make sure you take advantage of it.

• Don’t underestimate the power of scent. Light a candle, get an oil diffuser, or use incense. Finding a calming scent can help you reduce stress, to create your own Zen moment in your day.
• Play music that inspires you, calms you, or energizes you.
• Walk around while on a conference call, go outside to write an email, or sit on a comfy couch while reviewing a document – we have the ability to customize our work environment.
• Exercise at lunchtime or take your kids out to play. Remember a healthy body equals a healthy mind, so don’t forget to get some fresh air.
• Write, draw, or express creatively about the experience. Someday, this will be the story you and your kids will tell their kids or grandchildren.

Stay inspired

Just because we’re trapped inside, doesn’t mean we should stop learning. Check out some of the great resources below to stay motivated, curious, and creatively inspired!

• Take up to 12 virtual tours of some of the world’s most famous museums.
• Check out MailChimp’s #SupportTheShorts, a project that includes free online streaming of short films that were due to screen at SXSW, but never had a chance due to coronavirus.
• Listen to a new creative podcast like Clever, Design Matters, or 99% Invisible.
• Thanks to Creative Boom, you can download and print a fresh, new coloring book from some of the biggest names in the creative community, to give your mind a break (adult-approved).
• Want more tips on how to successfully work from home? Check out LinkedIn’s new Remote Working Series with curated content to set yourself and your teams up for success.
• Check out our Creative Fuel posts for on-going creative inspiration from the entire NELSON Worldwide team!

This post is a collaborative effort from NELSON teammates: Amy Leigh Hufford, Jenniffer Torres, Roslyn zumBrunnen, Holly Williamson, Hector Fernandez, Danijel Pocanic, Alan Dandron, and Nicole Keeler.

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This year, retail brands are facing new challenges as shoppers return to stores and have a new outlook on fulfilling their holiday shopping lists after the height of the pandemic. Brands must rapidly evolve to stand out among competitors by ramping up their holiday strategies both online and in-store.

This holiday season we are sharing key insights that will drive retail transformation into the new year. Download the full report today.

Restaurants are more than just a place to eat. They are where we gather, connect, and spend time with loved ones. For decades, we’ve been dining in and driving through these eateries, but what happens when these experiences are taken away from us? And what will the industry look like after COVID-19?

There are many factors that will shape the future of food and beverage, but at a minimum, the industry will be led by low touch and high impact experiences. Download the report to uncover the top four insights that will influence the future of food and beverage.

The COVID-19 pandemic spurred an overnight disruption to our daily lives—driving unprecedented shifts in every business sector. As hubs of commerce that span almost every sector, shopping centers and mixed-use properties will be forced to juggle a myriad of “new norms.” Download the report to uncover six key shifts that will drive the future of the retail and mixed-use industries.

What better way to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month than with food! Native cuisine is one the of many ways we express our cultures and share it with others. Although we can’t bring the food to life, we are living and learning vicariously through our Teammates. This month features stories from Keo Ballerstein, Carey Ann Ragusa, and Joy Wang as they show us what they love about Lao, Filipino, and Chinese cuisine.

Keo Ballerstein – Lao New Year Celebration!

This year, the Lao New Year celebration began on Thursday, April 14th and ended on Saturday, April 16th. This festive occasion is a 3-day national holiday in Laos that is filled with a variety of Lao traditions and customs.

Growing-up in the United States from a very young age, I recall the epic celebrations. My father, at the time, was the resident of the Lao American Association of Florida. It was important for him to bring the Lao community together, to not only celebrate, but to educate first-generation Lao Americans about the history and culturally significant traditions of Laos. Ethnic folk dances, folk stories, blessing ceremonies, community soccer matches, and the ultimate Kataw matches were some of the activities that brought the community together during the weekend-long celebration.

And then, there was the food…

Food from Laos has many influences within Southeast Asia. Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia play a part in some of the picy and savory dishes. But, the staple and comfort food in the Lao culture is sticky rice (kow niew).

The memory of waking-up to its sweet aroma engulfing the house when my mother prepared it before delicately frying it with eggs, brings me joy. I was the kid who joyfully walked to school with a fried kow niew patty in hand. “Breakfast for champions,” I was told.

While I may have a more sophisticated palate now and enjoy dishes from other cultures, I can honestly say that no cuisine leaves me more complete than kow niew with grilled chicken (ping gai), chicken salad (larb gai), green papaya salad (tham mak hoong), and spicy tomato sauce (jeow mak len).

I look forward to celebrating with family and friends again this year. While it may not be in a grand scale like in yearspast, passing down the Lao traditions to my daughter is a wonderful way to embrace a promising future.

Happy Lao New Year! (Sabaidee Pi Mai!)

Carey Ann Ragusa – A Filipino Feast

I’m Filipino and the best part of being Filipino is the food and the family gatherings we have. My dad used to own a restaurant and used to cook so many different types of Filipino food and the family would come to the restaurant just to be together, sing Karaoke, and celebrate the little things. It would never just be the immediate family. There would always be the extended family with the cousins, the Titos and Titas, the Lola and Lolo and always plenty of food. We would have lumpia, pancit, halo halo, sisig, kare kare and crispy pata, and so many other things that are too much to name.

Joy Wang – Boiled & Pan Fried Dumplings (Jiǎozi & Guotie) with homemade chili!

One of the best things about dumplings is the history of family all wrapped up in one. Growing up, it was almost a right of passage to be able to help parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles in preparing for something so simple but so steeped in traditions. Learning about the individual ingredients that make up the filling, observing, trying out the tried-and-true methods passed down from generations prior, and understanding that there isn’t just one way to make a dumpling, because every family has their own variations was the best. It’s a time best associated with everyone coming together no matter age, gender, or race to try their hand at folding, pleating, or crimping a delicious little bundle into all shapes and sizes. To be able to pass on these types of traditions, introducing new ones to others, and setting down work and the busyness of daily life to enjoy a meal that’s always brought family style is something I always look forward to. Feeding others is also a plus as well 😊