---
title: "A Moment in Black History: Mike Bellot"
description: Focusing on one Changemaker each week for Black History Month. This week is Mike Bellot.
image: https://blog.congressionalschool.org/hubfs/139253250_1042186606268899_2468643005826299463_n.jpg
---
[Infant - Grade 8 Private School. 40 Acre Campus in Falls Church, Virginia.](https://congressionalschool.org/about)
[** Colts Corner](https://congressionalschool.myschoolapp.com/app#login) • [Calendar](https://www.congressionalschool.org/calendar/) • [703-533-9711](tel:703-533-9711)
[facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Congressional-Schools-of-Virginia/92739413575) [twitter](https://twitter.com/colts1939) [vimeo](https://vimeo.com/colts1939) [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/colts1939/) [rss](https://www.congressionalschool.org/blog/)
[](https://www.congressionalschool.org)
- [About](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/)
- [Welcome from Head of School](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/)
- [Vision, Mission, Values](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/mission/)
- [At a Glance](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/at-a-glance/)
- [Faculty & Staff](https://www.congressionalschool.org/fsdirectory/faculty-and-staff/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/contact-us/)
- [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion](https://www.congressionalschool.org/community/diversity/)
- [Board of Trustees](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/board-of-trustees/)
- [Careers](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/careers/)
- [Strategic Plan](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/2023-strategic-plan/)
- [Admission](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/)
- [Admission Welcome](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/)
- [Applying to Congressional](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/applying-to-congressional/)
- [Admission Calendar](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/admission-calendar/)
- [Why Congressional](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/why-congressional/)
- [Portrait of a Graduate](https://www.congressionalschool.org/portrait-of-a-graduate/)
- [Tuition and Financial Aid](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/financing-your-education/)
- [Transportation](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/transportation/)
- [High School Placement](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/highschool-placement/)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/frequently-asked-questions/)
- [Academics](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/)
- [Academic Overview](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/)
- [Primary School (Preschool-Grade 2)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/primary-school/)
- [Lower School (Grades 3-4)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/lower-school/)
- [Middle School (Grades 5-8)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/middle-school/)
- [Faculty & Staff](https://www.congressionalschool.org/fsdirectory/faculty-and-staff/)
- [Social Emotional Learning](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/social-emotional-learning/)
- [Curriculum](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/curriculum/)
- [Design Labs](https://www.congressionalschool.org/stem/designlabs/)
- [Fine and Performing Arts](https://www.congressionalschool.org/the-arts/)
- [Experiential Learning](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/field-trips/)
- [Library & Technology](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/librarytechnology/)
- [Physical Education](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/physical-education/)
- [Campus Life](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/)
- [Around Campus](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/)
- [Athletics](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/athletics/)
- [Before and After School](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/)
- [Extended Hours Program](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/ehp/)
- [After School Activities](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/afterschool/)
- [Childcare Days](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/childcaredays/)
- [Congressional Horses](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/horses/)
- [Events & Traditions](https://www.congressionalschool.org/community/events-traditions/)
- [Early Childhood](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/early-childhood-program/)
- [Summer](https://www.congressionalschool.org/summer-at-congressional/)
- [Congressional Camp](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/camp/)
- [Summer Academy](https://www.congressionalschool.org/summer-at-congressional/summer-academy/)
- [Support](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/)
- [Gala & Auction](https://www.congressionalschool.org/gala/)
- [Your Gift Matters](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/)
- [The Congressional Fund](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/annual-fund/)
- [Matching Gifts Information](https://www.congressionalschool.org/double-the-donation/)
- [John J. Cavanaugh Endowed Fund](https://www.congressionalschool.org/endowed-fund/)
- [Parent Organization (CSPO)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/cspo/)
- [Alumni](https://www.congressionalschool.org/community/alumni/)
- [Affinity Groups of Congressional School](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/affinity-groups-of-congressional-school/)
- [Campus Transformation Projects](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/renovate/)
- [CTLI](https://www.congressionalschool.org/ctli/)
- [The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation](https://www.congressionalschool.org/ctli/)
- [Faculty Innovation Grants](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/innovation-grants/)
[](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog)
## [Congressional School Blog](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog)
# A Moment in Black History: Mike Bellot
Young People Who Were Change Makers
By: Edwin P. Gordon, PhD, Head of School
**Who**
Mike Bellot created the Solo Bag following the tragic loss of his cousin who passed away because he was studying by candlelight and had fallen asleep. All of this happened because his cousin didn’t have access to electricity to study. The Solo Bag not only provides light for reading and studying, but power for charging phones and tablets, too. Mike thought the Solo Bag could also address the alarming problem in his home country of Haiti—lack of access to electricity.
**What**
The Solo Bag is essentially a backpack with a light powered through an attached solar panel to help students see while studying. Mike wanted to create something that was easy to use, that would charge itself, and would be extremely self-sufficient. After much trial and error, the bag was launched in 2018 and patented in 2019. Matthew took his family crisis and turned it into an opportunity to create a brighter future for students, one Solo Bag at a time.
Matthew Bellot is this week’s Black History Month’s Changemaker.
---
.jpg?width=300&name=Edwin_About-Page%20(1).jpg)
**Edwin P. Gordon, PhD**
Head of School
[Learn More](https://www.congressionalschool.org/fsdirectory/edwin-gordon/)
[Share](https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congressionalschool.org%2Fwriting-process%2F&title=Some%20Thoughts%20on%20the%20Writing%20Process%20-%20Congressional%20School) [Facebook](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/#facebook) [Twitter](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/#twitter) [LinkedIn](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/#linkedin) [Pinterest](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/#pinterest) [Email](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/#email)
[BACK TO ALL POSTS](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog)
## [````Contact Us Now](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/black-history-bellot#contact-form)
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3952361/5f605e35-aad3-47d5-9844-db0e3aef81b4)
**Check Out Our Recent Posts:**
[](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-school)
**[How to Choose the Right School](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-school)**
**[](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/back-to-school-tips)
**[Tips for Returning to School](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/back-to-school-tips)**
**[](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/always-growing)
**[Always Growing](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/always-growing)******
******[View All Blog Posts](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog)******
******[INQUIRE](https://www.congressionalschool.org/inquire/)
[VISIT](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/admission-calendar/)
[APPLY](https://congressionalschool.myschoolapp.com/app#login/apply)
[GIVE](https://forms.diamondmindinc.com/congressional/giving?token=597319632)******
******
[Site Map](https://www.congressionalschool.org/site-map/) • [Contact Us](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/contact-us/)
3229 Sleepy Hollow Road ● Falls Church, VA 22042 ● 703-533-9711
Preschool - Grade 8 Private School
Day Care Program (6 Weeks - 3 Years)******