Because of them we can box

My aunt gifted my daughter with the Because of Them We Can (BOTWC) boxes. BOTWC box is a Black history and excellence subscription box for kids. During the school year we really did not have a lot of time to really look through them, but since summer is here I decided to make a week-long camp out of it. We have a total of five boxes, so we did one box each day and fully immersed ourselves in them. Each box has one trailblazer or event in Black History, apparel to go with the theme, a short article and a few STEM activities. I thought this would be a good way to have readiness for school and brush up on her reading comprehension and writing skills. The best part of these boxes was that along with my daughter I was learning about the heroes in Black history as well. Check out the boxes we have received and a few of the activities we did.

Tuskeegee Airmen

This was the first Because of Them We Can box we got in the mail. It came with the medal that Mila has on in each picture. Every box has a pin you put on the medal that goes along with the theme. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the US Army, they fought in World War II. They were often called the “Redtails”. This box came with the cute sweater and a we learned how to make paper airplanes. I was a little surprised by how much we enjoyed racing them in the house and outside.

Jackie Robinson

Learning about a sports figure really put the history of sports in perspective for both of us. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in the Major Baseball League. This Because of Them We Can box has a jersey with his number on the back, a baseball and word activities.

Augusta Savage

My daughter loves to draw and create images and little stories, so learning about a Black artist was cool. Augusta Savage is an American sculptor and art teacher, she became famous during the Harlem Renaissance. The Because of Them We Can box came with a retro picture viewer of art work from different Black artists during that time. This one was my favorite because it encouraged being creative.

Alexa Canady

Alexa Canady was the first African American woman neurosurgeon. In the Because of Them We Can box they highlighted how she never saw anyone like her in that field, and it discouraged her. In the end she overcame that obstacle. The doctor lab coat was great for Mila to really get into the role. It also came with Play-Doh like substance and a brain mold with tools, so we could pretend we were doing brain surgery.

Run DMC

We were both excited to get a music one. Mila had not heard of Run DMC before, but really they were before my time so that is about right. Run DMC are pioneers of hip hop music and they were the first hip hop group to get a gold record. The costume was on point and all of the activities had us rapping and learning at the same time. I think that this was Mila’s favorite.

I loved that each of the Because of Them We Can boxes came with a message of perseverance and passion. It is instilled in my daughter now and she knows that she can become anything that she wants to. I am excited to continue learning together about these African American events and people and celebrate Black History all month long.