By Thomas & Bobbi Simmons | The greatest champion of all times, Muhammad Ali once said, “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them- a desire, a dream, a vision. Thomas and Bobbi Simmons had a desire to make their dream a vision. They envisioned the creation of a new way to uniquely commemorate the richness of Black History Month that would have a lasting impact for themselves and for others throughout the year and beyond.
The Simmons are enthusiastic travelers with a thirst for new knowledge. Since 2022 they have traveled from North Africa to South Africa, and in 2024 to Accra, Ghana. Each country that they have embarked upon has offered distinctive experiences with great cultural diversity.
While the countries of North and South Africa were profoundly captivating and unforgettable, their fourteen days of tender and heartfelt history throughout the entirety of Ghana unmasked the most feelings of ambivalent. A visit to the Assin Manso Slave River Site gave them the opportunity to walk in the waters where their ancestors as slaves took their last bath before being taken to the Cape Coast Castles along the Gold Coast. Their emotions ran high as they stood in the “Door of No Return,” and learned of the horrific history their ancestors endured. As they were led out of the castle and onto the ships setting off on the Middle Passage. Cape Coast Castle was a way station in history’s largest, and darkest, forced human migration.
Ghana was the place where they felt the pulse of Africa and discovered its beauty and spirit. A place where seeds were planted within their minds and souls of the importance of passing on the truth of their ancestral beginnings. The Simmons knew from their experiences in Ghana that the words Maya Angelou once spoke so eloquently resonated as loudly as the beats of the bougarabou drums they were taught to play on the beautiful beach at the Africa Beach Hotel.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
On February 10th of 2023 the Simmons tested the waters and invited fifteen of their closest friends to their home for dinner and a festive evening of Black History Celebration. They chose the theme, “I am Black History.” Their friends were asked to portray the likeness of their most iconic Black History change agent, past or present. An array of historic icons was well represented, from Toni Morrison, Thurgood Marshall, Fredrick Douglass, Mary McCloud Bethune, to Flavor Flav. The evening ended with the presentation of a trophy for the most creative look. The clear choice was the Obamas.
The historical memories and optimism of that evening gave hope for a future endeavor that would give life and light to the powerfulness of Black History all year long that was being eradicated by those who are different from them.
On February 18th, 2024, The Simmons stepped out on faith and moved their celebration to a larger venue and invited forty of their friends and family for a more intimate celebration.
The couple seek a fresh approach to add their love of music and comedy to their agenda. Their hearts led them to the Smooth Jazz Artist, Avery Dixon from Atlanta, Georgia, and a Comedian Saseddrick from Augusta, Georgia as the host. In addition, they incorporated a segment of “Untold Stories” to showcase the stories of our guest onto a platform that otherwise never would have been heard. Their guests portrayal of their iconic heroes was once again a great success.
After two years of successful celebrations, on February 16th, 2025 Thomas and Bobbi’s vision evolved full circle with humble emotions of gratitude. They recognized the significance of making their endeavor more expansive to include the impact of the African Diaspora. They realized the importance of building a legacy for the assurance of enriching and enhancing a brighter future for future generations. The theme, “Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future” was the most befitted choice. They followed the previous years’ formats, but added the amazing talents of the local spoken word poet Jasmon LaMon (jasmonjourney), and the multitalented saxophonist Brittany Atterberry from Atlanta, Georgia.
The Simmons feel themselves to have a respectful duty and obligation to their ascendants to instill as much knowledge as possible to their descendants. Their personal desire is to pay it forward and support the necessity of passing on this information to future generations. To create and leave a legacy of accurate Black History knowledge bigger and greater than themselves.
Be the first to comment