I love it when people are creative. Take this t-shirt for example—a photo of Congressman John Lewis with the caption ‘John the Legend’. Yes!

We love you too, John Legend (the intelligent, superstar singer and song-writer). But this spotlight is on one of the giants of our time and in Black History. He is a living giant.

In the spirit of this Black History Month, I hope to continue to raise the level of awareness on the figures not widely talked about or recognized.

I actually had the pleasure of meeting Congressman John Lewis. This was during my days with Dr. Julianne Malveaux.

Now that I think of it, I was in a car ride once with one of Congressman Lewis’ friends, another ‘great’ in the ‘fight for freedom and justice’ movement. This was Ambassador Andrew Young.

 In that car ride, Ambassador Young was asked, what was the greatest part about working with Dr.King? The impression I got from his response was this sense of working alongside a king’s mission.

But it wasn’t so much about praising Dr. King but that the work itself was major.

Our living legend, Mr. Lewis, also put in ‘the work’ of a king.

John Robert Lewis is a United States Representative for the state of Georgia. He is currently serving his 17th term as congressman.

Youth Loves, that’s longer than you and I have been alive. In just this one job. RESPECT.

Known for his political and American Civil Rights ‘giantry’, Congressman Lewis lives a legendary story.

The words, ideas and bravery of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired John Lewis to activate.

He was just a young man in his very early twenties when he joined the Civil Rights & Human Rights Movement. In no time he became one of the most progressive leaders in the movement.

John Lewis organized sit-in demonstrations at segregated lunch counters (where blacks could not eat and would not be served with whites, in Nashville, Tennessee).

He participated in the Freedom Rides- standing up against the laws that would not allow blacks to ride on buses with whites in the South.

John Lewis endured unjust and brutal police arrests, violent mob beatings and cruel attacks. But his continued fighting spirit led to one of the most momentous events in our civil rights history.

In 1965, John Lewis and Hosea Williams led hundreds of peaceful protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. This protest was organized as a march from Selma to Montgomery, to demonstrate the needs for voting rights in Alabama.

 This turned out to be a disaster as it became what is known as Bloody Sunday. The protest marchers were grossly attacked and never even made it to the intended finish line of their peaceful demonstration.

I can imagine this turned public real fast. The local and national outrage of this event led to the forward movement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

We have Congressman Lewis and the other major players in this movement to thank for that.

John Lewis has not stopped his tracks of legendary making. He is still working for what is right in our government. He is still fighting against the injustices that offend or threatens our humanness and opportunities.

Mr. Lewis, your sacrifices are honored here.

Our legend, John Lewis also has a birthday coming up this week on February 21st.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Congressman Lewis!

And a SOFLY THANK YOU.

–Much Love