Tales to Inform, Inspire, and Motivate
Kieun 
History is full of strange and unsettling stories, but few rival the bizarre and little-known tale of a plot to overthrow the President of the United States in the 1930s. At the heart of this conspiracy was Smedley Butler, one of America’s most decorated and outspoken military heroes. His decision to expose the plot not …
Read moreSmedley Butler and the 1930s Plot to Overthrow the President
History often overlooks the quiet heroes, the ones who act not for glory but because their values demand it. Francis B. Wai is one such hero. A second-generation Chinese American, Wai didn’t just defy stereotypes—he shattered them on the battlefield during World War II. His incredible courage in the face of insurmountable odds earned him …
In the long, convoluted arc of justice in American history, one case stands out for securing a fundamental right for millions of Americans today. This case didn’t involve battles on fields or in cities but in courtrooms, where one man’s determination led to a historic decision that shaped the very definition of American citizenship. That …
Read moreThe Legacy of Wong Kim Ark: The Fight for American Birthright Citizenship
History is full of incredible stories of resilience and audacity, but few compare to that of Robert Smalls. Born enslaved, Smalls didn’t just escape bondage—he commandeered a Confederate warship, delivered it to the Union, and went on to become a leader in the fight for equality during Reconstruction. His life wasn’t just extraordinary for its …
Read moreRobert Smalls: The Man Who Stole His Freedom and Steered a Nation
From the foundational battlefields of the Revolutionary War, to the Civil War that finally broke the shackles of slavery, to WW2’s celebrated Tuskegee Airmen, and to the complex conflicts of the present day, African Americans have fought in every single war of the United States. Some are famous, like the Buffalo Soldiers of the Civil …
In the current environment where people are clamoring for social justice and activists and social organizers are leading a new movement for equality, I think it’s appropriate that you hear about the heroes and heroines that came before the current moment. I introduce you to 27 Black women activists that you should know.
I have to be honest. There are sometimes not enough hours in the day for me to put together a semi-coherent piece of writing to tell all the Tales of Awesomeness that I want to tell. This site’s purpose, in fact, is to try to bring to one place the disparate stories of heroes and …