In 1926, a historian looked at the American narrative and realized something sobering: Black people were present in every chapter of this nation’s development, yet largely absent from the textbooks. So he decided to do something about it. This 26th day of Black History Month, we are not simply celebrating a tradition. We are marking one hundred years of narrative correction. One hundred years of saying: We will not be edited out.

Today on Tony Tips Tuesdays™, we’re talking about what it really means to write with cultural authenticity—why it matters, how to do it responsibly, and how to avoid turning lived experiences into stereotypes or scenery. And because today marks the 10th day of Black History Month, we’ll also spotlight a Black literary giant whose work remains a masterclass in writing culture truthfully, unapologetically, and on its own terms.