👑The observance of Black History Month 2023, has to be more inspiring to our youth, in order to create CHANGE. 👨🏿🏫👩🏿🏫
I often reflect back to the dark period of time when the very deep history of African Americans was not offered to the students who attended public schools in the South. I was one of those students, who was void of effective education of my people. Knowledge of Black Brilliance that would have undoubtedly changed my life.
I always felt as if this unexplored era of unrealized knowledge, had the power to greatly influence all people of color to aspire to do greater things early on. I can remember sitting in attendance to multiple Black History programs year after year, and only learning about the people, stories, and adversities of the African American heroes before me, while feeling like the message of the Black History programs failed to effectively inspire the change in Black People that was needed to overcome the obstacles of today.
I easily remember being the kid who wanted more information when attending Black History programs, while also expecting to be offered more of a variety from the event organizers. I am a visualizer and I yearned for something that I knew was real and of my time. At the same time, I also enjoyed reading the incredible stories of the past, but I always felt, there was nothing like being a part of history in the making.
Sure, the mortars of the past did the unimaginable to help to inspire me and others, but I’m sure there was nothing like being a part of the audience when our heroes of the past were contemplating and calculating their next moves, while also delivering some of their greatest speeches to their individual audiences. I’ve always wanted a chance to see real-time history as it unfolds, while also having the opportunity to become a part of a movement. ⬇⬇⬇
The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation offers Public Speaking. Real-time Inspirational revelations to the public. Black History Month 2023.
My Story…
In the early days of 2020 after a spiritual awakening, my life unexpectedly changed. During my enlightenment, I received a direct order that instructed me to do one thing. Think, in order to resolve the issues that presented the greatest obstacles in my life. I immediately began my mission of change by being obedient to the message that I had received within the first few of January 2020, by researching my family’s ancestry.
I soon discovered that my personal hurdles represented many of the barriers that have traditionally contributed to the complications in the lives of people who look just like me. While conducting extensive research, I also learned that many of the same obstructions that hinder me today were first used against my ancestors over a century ago. I felt obligated to do something to change the generational hindrances.
Therefore, in May 2020, I then founded a nonprofit organization, named The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation. The Men Of Color Having Answers Foundation (M.O.C.H.A.), was established with one objective, thinking of effective solutions in order to end generational obstacles faced by Black in America.
The Men Of Color Having Answers Foundation ( M.O.C.H.A), founded May 2020.
Shortly after founding The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation, I started my quest to create effective change by writing solutions to some of the most complicated issues facing Black People in America. Only a few months after beginning my mission, in September 2020, the M.O.C.H.A. Foundation made history, after I wrote a proposal to the Clemson City Council, which would name an unnamed walkover bridge in a historically Black community after my great grandmother, Nancy Washington Legree, a formerly enslaved woman.
On October 19, 2020, The Legree Resolution was voted on by the Clemson City Council, as they unanimously voted in support of naming the bridge in honor of the memory of Nancy Washington Legree.
The signed LEGREE RESOLUTION, by Clemson Mayor J.C. COOK, III, would name a bridge after a formerly enslaved woman.
After conducting an abundant amount of research on my family’s history, my spiritual experience from earlier in the year would once again be validated, when I uncovered a very deep American secret that had been tightly concealed for nearly 200 years. I discovered that my great-grandmother, Nancy Washington Legree was the daughter of the 7th Vice President of the United States of America, John C. Calhoun.
“ I discovered that my great-grandmother, Nancy Washington Legree was the daughter of the 7th Vice President of the United States of America, John C. Calhoun. ”
I also found that Clemson University, (Clemson, South Carolina) had previously written stories displaying my family’s history of slavery prior to the establishment of Clemson University and also told tales of my family’s past up until the early 1920s. As inhumane as it may sound, my family was still enslaved at Clemson until the early 1920s. An entire 55 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. However, Clemson University has proudly displayed my grandmother Nancy Washington Legree, as their personal poster child of slavery, yet they never once mentioned that my grandmother was the daughter of a U.S. Vice President.
Clemson University magazine. Cover: Nancy Washinton Legree.
In 2020, I began a quest to create scholarships for the descendants of the formerly enslaved at Clemson University, by offering the proceeds from an unreleased book.
Unfortunately, I didn’t receive any support at all from school administration, public officials, or Clemson alumni. I then authored and published my own book in 2021, Andrew VS. Goliath: The American Civil Czar, on Amazon.
Andrew VS Goliath: The American Civil Czar https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-VS-Goliath-American-Civil/dp/B09BY3WK3G?asin=B09BY3WK3G&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
“These are the present-day inspirational stories of Black People that need to be featured and told to African American youth, in order for them to see that extraordinary works by average individuals faced with the very same obstacles are possible. ”
There is no doubt, our youth today are facing a much more challenging battle than the youth of just 20 years ago. However, today, there are so many more opportunities for Black youth to explore, as opposed to previous generations of intended obstructions. We must acknowledge that there is Black youth that needs to know that no matter their current situation or circumstances, they are able to change for the betterment of themselves and for the people around them.
My story isn’t perfect, nevertheless, my testament is a courageous example for the youth. My story proves that the average African American boy or girl has the power to make impactful changes by starting within their own communities. My story is one that stands out and confirms that we all are capable of adding to history in our own individual ways. After all, no one promised us that the path would be an easy one, but we must understand that the road to official liberation is a bumpy and extremely lengthy one. I quickly learned that fighting injustices comes with many adversities and complications.
Since the establishment of The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation, I’ve faced a ton of unspoken obstructions, racism, and physical abuse. Much like the Civil Rights leaders of the past, I’ve been illegally jailed and held in cages of corruption.
Honestly, many of my troubles resulted from my discoveries of several hidden historical truths, and also my refusal to allow the facts of these stories to remain unchallenged. Like others, I’ve also been a victim of police brutality, due to a lack of compliance; all while my civil rights were being violated in the worst ways.
Truth is, I’ve suffered tremendously for having the courage to stand up to corruption, bigotry, and racism. However, I understand that my ancestors faced a much greater test than I have endured, and just like their heroic efforts of the past were necessary, I believe that my actions today will also help to free those who seek further validation of modern-day actions of admiration, through the education of Black Excellence. Please Help me to spread an effective message of achievement to the youth. One that has the power to change society, while creating a much better day.
M.O.C.H.A. Motivational
Speaking engagements are encouraged.
Interested in having the founder of The Men Of Color Having Answers Foundation, Andrew Peppers, featured as the guest speaker at your next event? Inquire further by email and receive an immediate response, mochafoundation@gmail.com
