There are times during the course of life that stick with you, moments you never forget. For me, the last week of February was such a time. It began with my participation that Monday in a panel discussion in Washington, D.C., with the civil rights activists Dorothy Height and Rep. John Lewis (D–Ga.). Hosted and sponsored by Macy’s, the discussion centered on the status of civil rights in America today. I had to pinch myself: There I was, sitting next to living history. Reflecting on her past, 96-year-old Height spoke to a hushed audience of her upbringing and of those who had influenced her to become involved in the civil rights movement. Likewise, as Congressman Lewis told of his experiences as a participant in the 1961 Freedom Rides to desegregate public transportation in the South, I could almost feel myself being carried back to that era.

The next day, American Legacy’s Know Your History mobile museum, sponsored by Wachovia, PBS, and Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, made a stop at the local high school in Mount Vernon, New York. Throughout the day, more than 600 students and adults visited the 18-wheel truck that’s been outfitted with videos, displays, and a genealogy kiosk. I especially enjoyed seeing the smiles on the faces of the young people as they walked through the museum, and I felt proud that we were able to expose our children to the history makers they may not have known about.

On Wednesday and Thursday we celebrated the lifetime achievements of five extraordinary women at our ninth annual Women of Strength and Courage Awards festivities in New York City, first at a reception in Harlem and then, in midtown’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, at a youth forum and luncheon. This event, sponsored by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, GE, Wachovia, Greater Philadelphia Tourism, and Amtrak, is always inspirational, and this year was no exception.

On Friday I headed to Houston, Texas, to join in a series of events announcing the expansion of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum there. The museum, directed by Capt. Paul Matthews, had asked if I would serve as the national spokesperson for its capital campaign. I thought it was important to participate in the preservation of the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, stalwarts of the black U.S. Army regiments created at the end of the Civil War. I ended the week on Saturday in my hometown of Cleveland, where we held the finals for the American Legacy Challenge, sponsored by American Family Insurance. This trivia competition on African-American history allowed those who attended to cheer on the high-school-student finalists as they competed for scholarships of $500, $1,000, and $1,500.

Thinking back on that week in February, I realize what good fortune I had in meeting people who reminded me of the value of our mission to uncover the untold stories of black history. They all stoked my enthusiasm and reconfirmed my purpose. What a wonderful week it was.

The most recent fulfillment of our mission is this, American Legacy’s second annual music issue. In it, female bandleaders and jazz musicians get their due. We also delve into the surprising world of black string bands of both past and present, the life of the outstanding conga player Mongo Santamaría, and that of the great folk artist and activist Odetta. Like the chance encounters that stay with you for life, each of these musicians’ contributions is truly unforgettable.

RODNEY J. REYNOLDS, Publisher