Black History(Mr. James West)

James West

If you've ever made a phone call, recorded a voice memo,or used a hearing aid, you owe a thank you to Mr. James Edward West. Quiet in demeanor but thunderous in impact, West changed how the world hears itself giving us the power to hear the world more clearly. 

Born in 1931 in Prince Edward County, Virginia, West grew up fascinated by electricity. After a childhood shock from a radio,his curiosity only grew. Despite the hurdles of being a Black man in Jim Crow America, he earned a physics degree and landed a job at Bell Labs a place known for innovation but not always inclusion.

However in 1962, alongside colleague Gerhard Sessler, West co-invented the electret microphone. Small, reliable, and inexpensive, it was a breakthrough. Before their invention microphones were bulky and fragile. So they redesigned them to be compact and more durable. 

Today, over 90% of microphones in phones,camcorders,laptops use his technology he designed. He also holds over 250 other patents. He was instrumental in championing STEM access for minority students, co-founded initiatives to bring more women and people of color into engineering, and taught at Johns Hopkins well into his 80s.

James West gave us the power to hear the world more clearly. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time the world finally listened to his story. 

#WeAreHistory 

#BLACKtastic 

#BLACKnificence

Beet Kvass

 Now this is a drink many may turn their noses up at..lol however I absolutely love Beet Kvass. I remember drinking this homemade probiotic as a child and hating it. However as I’ve gotten older I understand the purpose behind it,and why my mom felt the need to make it and add it to our holistic health regiment. Gut health is literally LIFE! Anyway Beet Kvass can be dressed up to suit your needs and taste. I like mines with ginger,lemon balm,and a little localized honey. Here’s a simple recipe that can get the job done.

#GrowSumthin

#BackyardHealing

Whatcha need..

3-4 medium-sized organic beets(we grow ours)

1t himalaya salt

Knob ginger 

1/4 cup mint or lemon balm

How ya do it... 

Wash your beets. Then cut them into chunks (you don’t want to grate them or cut them small because they will ferment too quickly and turn it into liquor which isn’t to bad😅). Fill a quart jar about ¼ to ⅓ full with these beets. Add the salt and stir. Chop the ginger and mint or lemon balm roughly,adding it to the jar. Then add your spring water to the jar leaving at least an inch of air space at the top. Cover tightly with a lid. Place on your kitchen counter for two days and shake a couple of times a day. 

There ya have it! Simple right? When you’re ready to drink it put it in the icebox to chill and enjoy. It’s amazing in smoothies. When the juice is gone,you can refill it with water and set it on the counter for another two days for at least one more batch.