Richest Person Who Ever Lived is an African King - (Inflation Adjusted)

Yes, you read this headline correctly, the richest human being in history is indeed an African king.  According to researchers at Celebrity Net Worth, the 14th century West African king,  Mansa Musa I of the Mali had a personal net worth of $400 Billion at the time of his death in 1331.  Celebrity Net Worth explained their findings are based upon them adjusting for inflation "For example, $100 million in the year 1913 is equal to $2.299.63 billion in 2012 dollars thanks to the annual rate of inflation of 2199.6%."

Mansa Musa's immense wealth was due his Malian Empire's production and trade of gold and salt.  He inherited his empire via his role as deputy of the king, when the previous ruler never returned from an expedition on the Atlantic Ocean.  Mansa Musa I, a devout muslim, used some of his wealth to build statuesque mosques that are still standing to this very day and a university in Timbuktu to attract scholars and encourage education.

Legend has it that Mansa Musa I was a generous king who believed in spreading the wealth to the commoners and elders. He put Mali on the map during his hajj/ pilgrimage to Mecca when he gave away gold freely to those he encountered along the way.  Within two generations of Mansa Musa's death, his heirs were unable to successfully defend the kingdom from invading conquerors and civil wars and as such,  his wealth was lost.

Quick Facts about Mansa Musa I

Catalan Map of Mansa Musa 1375, with translation

• Mansa means "king" or "leader."
• Mansa Musa I  lived from 1280-1331.
• Mansa Musa I was a descendant of the Mandingo ruler, Sundiata Keita (Sunjata), who was the founder of the Mali empire.
• He ruled West Africa's Malian Empire  (modern day Ghana, Timbuktu and Mali).
• To manage successfully, his empire was broken into provinces and villages, with each village having a mayor to help manage government.
• He was a devout muslim who allowed freedom of religion and occupation.
• Mansa Musa I's army guarded the gold mines and also guarded the section of the Trans-Sahara Trade Route that passed by Mali.
• He was highly cultured and encouraged education, even building an impressive university in Timbuktu 
• Mansa Musa brought back from hajj/ pilgrimage an Arabic library, religious scholars, and the Muslim architect al-Sahili, who built the great mosques at Gao and Timbuktu and a royal palace.

Mansa Musa's Mosque of Djenne

Barack Obama's Moment in History

His positive energy is so contagious and morale in the black community is at an all time high...All I can say is WOW! This is one for the history books...

Lt. David Paterson to Become NY's 1st Black Governor

Lt. Governor David A. Paterson, who is New York’s first African-American lieutenant governor, will now become New York's first Black governor. The seasoned politician's status upgraded when his colleague, Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned this morning.

Mr. Paterson was elected New York’s lieutenant governor on November 7, 2006, but the legally blind politician has been getting his feet wet in the world of civil service for more than 20 years. In 1985, he was elected to represent Harlem in the New York State Senate and became the youngest senator in Albany when he was elected at age 35. In 2002, Paterson became the first non-white legislative leader in New York’s history to be elected as minority leader of the New York State Senate. Consistently making history, David Paterson became the became the first visually impaired person to address a Democratic National Convention. In fact, Paterson's father, Basil Paterson, is a historical black politician, being the first non-white secretary of state of New York and the first African-American vice-chair of the national Democratic Party.

Some of the issues David Paterson has addressed are: stronger action to fight against domestic violence, minority and female owned New York businesses, alternative energy strategies and proposing legislation for a $1 billion voter-approved stem cell research initiative. The Columbia University and Hofstra Law School graduate is also nationally recognized as a leading advocate for the visually and physically impaired. He's a member of the American Foundation for the Blind and serves on the board of directors of the the Achilles Track Club, an organization that sponsors disabled athletes and disabled veterans competing in marathons.


David Paterson resides in Harlem with his wife, Michelle Paige, and their two children, Ashley and Alex. He will be in office until he has to campaign for re-election in 2010.

Congratulation and Good Luck Governor Paterson!!

We're the Majority

(Photo: James Van der Zee)

February is Black History Month in the US, but everyday Society Noir recognizes black history. Sometimes people question why Black History Month is necessary. It's necessary because the American education system barely includes it in the curriculum, if at all. Unfortunately, too many people are unaware of how much of an asset blacks are and have been, to society. Blacks have contributed hundreds of inventions, many of which we use everyday and/or need to live, such as: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams who gave the world the first successful open-heart surgery.

Everyday someone in the African diaspora contributes to history in a positive way. Mainstream media doesn't report positive black news nearly enough. Society Noir strives to acknowledge those that the mainstream media chooses to ignore.

It's wonderful to see black people all over the world doing well. Society Noir is positively overwhelmed by all the great things blacks are doing in this era. Many of you out there are presently making history or in the process of it. Big or small accomplishments, its all good. You're making your people proud and Society Noir wants to be the one to speak on it.

Remember we are not a minority, we're the majority!! The root word of minority is minor. The definition for minor is: lesser, as in size, extent, or importance, or being or noting the lesser of two; having low rank, status, position; not serious.
I'm sorry to whoever labeled us as such, but black people don't fit that definition. We are very significant and are a massive group of people in this world. So, the next time someone refers to the African diaspora as a minority, be sure to educate them.

PS

The photo above is from one of my favorite photographers, James Van der Zee. He was an African-American photographer whose portraits of Black New Yorkers chronicled the historical Harlem Renaissance.

Will Smith's "I am Legend" Makes History

Actor, Will Smith is a box office legend. His recent movie I am Legend debuted at an estimated $76.5 million in ticket sales this weekend in North America, the largest December opening in history.

In 'Legend,' Smith stars as a scientist who is the world's lone survivor of a virus that transforms humans into blood-thirsty mutants.