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Why for years I have been a wikipedia volunteer writing doing research and writing articles. I see the wikipedia platforms as amazing tools for education, skill development, and scholarship. I have learned so much from writing articles. But, one of the joys is writing about people. I enjoy appreciating other people's goodness and achievements. I learn about possibilities that others made possible. The glorious human spirit of individuals that cared about making inventions, knowledge, etc. that added to human development. The quote below says it well by Voltaire.
"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well".
Voltaire
I have written over 100 Wikipedia articles from scratch. I have uploaded about 400 images to Wiki Commons. I am involved with the process of creating Wikipedia articles on a daily basis, by researching, reading, and writing content for articles. I have written articles about people in South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, and United States. I see writing Wikipedia articles as a teaching tool for self educating and knowledge sharing. I am very active in my community and many ideas for articles come from being active. I am retired, and I see writing Wikipedia articles as a life activity for learning which I take seriously. I find that the knowledge gained from writing Wikipedia articles gives substance to conversations with others. I mentor others on a one-on-one using my lap top. I teach by sharing my experiences in learning.
I live in NYC which gives me many opportunities to attend events that are educational and informational. I have given presentations at community events about Wikipedia talking about particular articles I have written about New York City history.
In 2017 the Kwanzaa film festival in Harlem gave me a community service award for documenting our community. Many people have passed away in the NYC community that were notable and I write articles about them. I have written many articles about up and coming arts and historic pieces that educate my community. Because of my interest in Oral History I reached out to Columbia University and networked with the director and was instrumental in the development of the partnership with the Oral History Master's degree program at Columbia university in NYC. I have been going to their lecture series and taking classes with the department for three years. Last year was the first year the department had a Wiki fellow. I give the fellow support in forwarding information and contacts that I feel that are helpful.
I think the Wikipedia article I wrote about the Associated Negro Press, San Juan Hill New York City, Timbuktoo, New York; Joan Maynard, Connie Williams (Trinidadian), Jitu Weusi are articles that I talk that tells the history of African Americans.
I have also written articles that document West Coast WWII history and African Americans in California.
During sheltering in place I started a zoom group called Alkebulan Wiki edit and study group. We started in November of 2020, and continue. We research, discuss, and have conversations. I have started my 8 years of experience using the various wikipedia platforms, wikipedia book creator, wikidata, wikicommons, and writing wikipedia articles. Still learning, and looking for ways to engage others. In fact, contributing content for me has become a way of life and learning. I believe, and hope that the information age will usher in an enlightenment age for learning. I think that the many Wikimedia/Wikimedia platforms are vehicles for this information and education age.