Five years ago while shopping in Atlanta’s Shrine of the Black Madonna, I came across Richard Wright’s book The Color Curtain. I’m not exactly sure of what drew me to the book. Perhaps it was the map of Africa and Asia on the cover, or maybe it was the sale price. Either way, something compelled me to buy the book and I haven’t been the same since.

In the book, Wright details his participation in the 1955 Bandung Conference, a self-determined effort by African and Asian states to promote Afro-Asian cooperation and oppose colonialism. After four years in a diverse New York high school, and four years at Morehouse College, I couldn’t believe that I had never heard of this event. After completing the book, I thought to myself, what other historically relevant events am I unaware of?

And so began my life’s work to discover and uncover historical facts, events, people and symbols that go uncovered by our formal education. I was so inspired by what I was learning (and continue to learn), that I began jotting down points of interest. In a short time, I had developed over 100 concepts of historical significance, most taking shape in the form of images. Then it dawned on me, what if these images could be used as a means to connect people of color to their history, as well as serve as a source of inspiration for our daily life? It is out of that spirit that Historically-A-Wear was born.

Simply put, Historically-A-Wear is a resource designed to spread awareness and keep us looking fly.   I hope you enjoy and learn something new!

Sarquis