Positivity Pays

Every year on the 32nd day, our country is indirectly given “permission” to acknowledge the struggle and honor the enormous contributions that African Americans have made to this country. February 1st marks the beginning of a 28 or 29-day, (depending on the year) observation of the heroic individuals that have left an indelible mark on the world and undoubtedly, changed the course of human history. To commemorate their accomplishments many events are held in their honor and worksheets with generic biographies are passed out across America. This tradition started in 1970 at Kent State University and was nationally adopted in 1976 when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

A history that is rich and illustrious. A history that is not only too often neglected stated President Ford, but purposely suppressed, ignored, distorted and flat out eradicated. Most American outlets that disseminate information have been utilized to erase the power, presence, and significance of Black people outside of how they assist white people. To add insult to injury, has been the conditioning of our history, which is reduced to one month of recognition and not all year round, giving the impression that our history is some novel idea and minimizes the transformative impact of our achievements.

Given that, in 50 years, there has been no real attempt to adequately recognize our many contributions. We will no longer sit by quietly or modestly, as it relates to praising our ancestors and giving our heroes, among the living, their flowers while they can still smell them. That’s one of the main reasons why the team at Positivity Pays has embraced the challenge of  “changing the narrative.” Which narrative, one might ask? The one that goes a little something like this – “Black people don’t work with each other.” Well, we do subscribe to that white supremacist talking point and are proud to celebrate those that consistently support their kinfolk with an innovative idea.

A marketing ploy started out in the 1880s to promote tobacco companies. Then, in the 1950s this gimmick turned into a nationwide obsession when Topps began creating trading cards that displayed high quality images coupled with statistical and biographical information of baseball players. Now imagine if the most important leaders in our community were put on the same pedestal as athletes. Baseball players were so honored in the 50s when it was still America’s national pastime.

Imagine if there were such a thing as an autographed 1963 Malcolm X or Martin Luther King mint condition 1 of 10 trading card. How valuable would that be? If we began to consistently lift those who, every day without fanfare, did amazing things in our community. Those that aspire to the level of greatness of Dr. King and Brother Malcolm. How beneficial to our community would changing the current narrative to not ONLY, obsessively celebrate our athletes and entertainers but to also acknowledge the incredible work of our community leaders, activists, educators and entrepreneurs?

So… the innovative idea was, started on February 1, 2020, our heroes, the ones that we look to for inspiration, will be valued and celebrated just like the athletes. Given that, they too, will have their own trading cards with different themes and special editions. Each day during black history month an honoree was announced as the inaugural set has the 28 amazing individuals from South Florida that are here on our website.

Every year on the 32nd day, our country is indirectly given “permission” to acknowledge the struggle and honor the enormous contributions that African Americans have made to this country. February 1st marks the beginning of a 28 or 29-day, (depending on the year) observation of the heroic individuals that have left an indelible mark on the world and undoubtedly, changed the course of human history. To commemorate their accomplishments many events are held in their honor and worksheets with generic biographies are passed out across America. This tradition started in 1970 at Kent State University and was nationally adopted in 1976 when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

A history that is rich and illustrious. A history that is not only too often neglected stated President Ford, but purposely suppressed, ignored, distorted and flat out eradicated. Most American outlets that disseminate information have been utilized to erase the power, presence, and significance of Black people outside of how they assist white people. To add insult to injury, has been the conditioning of our history, which is reduced to one month of recognition and not all year round, giving the impression that our history is some novel idea and minimizes the transformative impact of our achievements.

Given that, in 50 years, there has been no real attempt to adequately recognize our many contributions. We will no longer sit by quietly or modestly, as it relates to praising our ancestors and giving our heroes, among the living, their flowers while they can still smell them. That’s one of the main reasons why the team at Positivity Pays has embraced the challenge of  “changing the narrative.” Which narrative, one might ask? The one that goes a little something like this – “Black people don’t work with each other.” Well, we do subscribe to that white supremacist talking point and are proud to celebrate those that consistently support their kinfolk with an innovative idea.

A marketing ploy started out in the 1880s to promote tobacco companies. Then, in the 1950s this gimmick turned into a nationwide obsession when Topps began creating trading cards that displayed high quality images coupled with statistical and biographical information of baseball players. Now imagine if the most important leaders in our community were put on the same pedestal as athletes. Baseball players were so honored in the 50s when it was still America’s national pastime.

Imagine if there were such a thing as an autographed 1963 Malcolm X or Martin Luther King mint condition 1 of 10 trading card. How valuable would that be? If we began to consistently lift those who, every day without fanfare, did amazing things in our community. Those that aspire to the level of greatness of Dr. King and Brother Malcolm. How beneficial to our community would changing the current narrative to not ONLY, obsessively celebrate our athletes and entertainers but to also acknowledge the incredible work of our community leaders, activists, educators and entrepreneurs?

So… the innovative idea was, started on February 1, 2020, our heroes, the ones that we look to for inspiration, will be valued and celebrated just like the athletes. Given that, they too, will have their own trading cards with different themes and special editions. Each day during black history month an honoree was announced as the inaugural set has the 28 amazing individuals from South Florida that are here on our website.

This mini deck of 22 trading cards highlights the pioneers and trend setters from Broward County, the second largest county in the state of Florida. The deck has been utilized as a fun and educational way to play trivia games and family feud. Additionally, it will be the foundational component of lesson plans, designed to spotlight local black history, with the goal of having it integrated somehow into Broward County public schools.

The deck includes some historic people that have made a tremendous difference in our community. Coupled with, some courageous individuals that helped paved the way, for many of us today, such as:

• The First Black Physician in Florida 
• The First Male and Female Elected Officials in Broward
• The First African American Elected To The Broward School Board 
• America's First Black Mom
• The First Black Surgeon and Co-Founder of The First Black Medical Facility in Florida

And not to be forgotten, there are athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs and trailblazing educators, that are a part of this series as well. 

So click the add the cart button below and help support the idea that #LocalHistoryMattersToo

In this amazing one of kind set of trading cards we are recognizing some amazing people in our community who are "making a difference" 

To support our non profit organization and our mission to celebrate our heroes 365 days a year we ask that you donate $1.99 per individual card or $14.99 for the entire set. 

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Remembering Greatness… 

Community leader, mentor and coach Eddie Frasier promised in his social media introduction, in June of 2019 as the new Head Football coach of his alma mater. To GIVE his ALL to the young men he coached, the high school he attended and the community he loved, with every fiber of his being. And that's exactly what he did, in his brief but, truly impactful and program changing stint as the head man in charge at Dillard High School. An institution of learning with a rich tradition and history of excellence. A tradition of excellence, that if you asked members of the community, he helped bring back to its glory days. Given that, he genuinely cared for the players, the alumni and the Dillard High School brand. His passion spoke volumes and his players would soon become fluent in this language, as they began to embody their coach's enthusiasm on and off the field. Many observers would also add, the unmistakable love and admiration his players had for him. It's not unusual for coaches to be loved by the players they coach but, there was absolutely something unique about the relationship he had with his boys at DHS. 

Football Accomplishments:

• Little League - Lauderdale Lakes Vikings State Championship (Unlimited)
• Middle School - Back to Back County Champions (23-1 record)
• Junior Varsity - 1 lost in 2 years. First Undefeated team since the early 2000s.
• Varsity - 12-0, 2019 Large School Coach of The Year. 

With all that being said, it would be irresponsible to ONLY tout his football accomplishments because he was more than just a coach. He was a father figure, a positive black male role model, an educator, an incredible friend and a truly special one of a kind individual. The type of special individual that during the worse pandemic in modern American history, people from various walks of life, did not hesitate to pay their respects. Knowing the possible health risks involved by attending his wake in an environment that was impossible to practice social distancing. 

The late, great Eddie Lydell Frasier, the honorary Make A Difference Community Hero. Gone too soon. The community celebrates your dedication to being a difference maker. 

Although he has been with Broward County for less than four years, Kelvin Watson has a long and illustrious career serving this, and each community he has touched as a librarian, friend and innovator. His hard work brought him professional, excellence and achievement awards in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Named Librarian of the Year in 2019 by the Florida Library Association (FLA), he went on to lead the Broward County Library System to be recognized by the FLA as the 2020 Library of the Year. 

Kelvin Watson is committed to providing library and information access to all. To achieve his vision to decrease barriers and increase equitable access through technology, public outreach and expansion of programs and services, he has launched award-winning programs and initiatives that improve the lives of disadvantaged children and families; veterans, and active-duty members of the military; the homeless; and individuals re-entering the community after incarceration. Positivity Pays is proud to select this community hero for his continuing service to the people of South Florida and beyond.   

A community leader and hero, every day Pastor Davidson touches the lives of the children in his community and beyond. At the New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he has created literacy programs to help children achieve their utmost potential. Pastor Davidson also spearheads the effort to feed the hungry at many sites throughout South Florida. And, in both Florida and Alabama, he has developed backpack giveaways for schoolchildren in need. 

He even agreed to be the subject of the comic, Pastor Davidson: Fear and Anger, to help young people struggling with these emotions. After being read during the “Reading is Lit!” initiative in late 2019, Pastor Davidson spent time with youth from the church and the community answering their many questions about this difficult subject. Positivity Pays has chosen to highlight Pastor Davidson for his unwavering support of our children.

This social entrepreneur wanted to send a message to the world, a message he had heard from his father growing up. “Do the right thing; help someone deserving; help someone in need.” So he created Charity Charge, a Public Benefit Corporation which offers the unique Charity Charge World MasterCard. Each time a card holder makes a purchase with this card, they earn 1% cash back which will then be sent to any nonprofit they choose. And, these cash back rewards take the form of an automatic, tax-deductible donation from the card holder.

Billions of dollars of reward points go unused each year. With Charity Charge, consumers can ensure that this money will go directly to those who need it most. Positivity Pays has selected Stephen Garten as a community hero for his insight, innovation and love for serving the community.