Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a prominent journalist, activist, and researcher, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In her lifetime, she battled sexism, racism, and violence. As a skilled writer, Wells-Barnett also used her abilities as a journalist to shed light on the conditions of African Americans throughout the South. Ida Bell Wells was born in Holly Springs, … [Read more...] about Journalist, activist, and researcher: Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Lifestyles
Henrietta Lacks: A Black history legacy of giving as told by Jeri Lacks
By: Jeri Lacks-Whye, granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks You’ve seen this iconic photo of beautiful Henrietta with her hands on her hips, a broad smile and eyes that seem to say “LOVE.” Henrietta Lacks is a name now known and revered, for hers is a life that keeps on giving. In this month of Black History and Valentine’s Day, Henrietta’s life is a love story of family … [Read more...] about Henrietta Lacks: A Black history legacy of giving as told by Jeri Lacks
The Brief History of Black Doctors
History is recorded by those who have been in power; because of this, it should not be surprising that few data exist on the engagement of significant minorities in the medical field. According to Dr. Donald Wilson, writing in Lucas Patersthe Journal of the National Medical Association, the first African physician in the colonies was probably a Dutch-educated man named Lucas … [Read more...] about The Brief History of Black Doctors
Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black American woman to be a self-made millionaire
Sarah Breedlove was born in Delta, La., on Dec. 23, 1867. She was the daughter of Owen and Minerva Anderson Breedlove. Both had formerly been enslaved. She was an orphan by the age of 7 and moved in with her older sister. At the age of 14, Sarah married Moses McWilliams. She maintained that she married young because of early hardships and in order to get a home of her own. In … [Read more...] about Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black American woman to be a self-made millionaire
True Stories of Black History that inspire
Black History was the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson. Since 1976, the month of February has been officially designated as Black History month. In my column, I will share a list of books from my late husband’s personal library. Nathan was an avid reader. He enjoyed reading about the contributions and achievements of His people. He was a proud Black veteran and … [Read more...] about True Stories of Black History that inspire
Landscape by 19th century Black abolitionist painter given to President Biden as inaugural gift
Alongside two U.S. flags and a pair of commemorative vases, newly swornin President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received an artwork as a gift: Robert S. Duncanson’s Landscape with Rainbow, an 1859 painting on loan from the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington, D.C. Roy Blunt, a Republican senator from Missouri, called the work “a good sign” as he … [Read more...] about Landscape by 19th century Black abolitionist painter given to President Biden as inaugural gift
National Gallery hires Kanitra Fletcher as its first curator of African American Art
Kanitra Fletcher, an associate curator at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Houston in Texas, has been hired as the first-ever curator of African American art at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, D.C. She started as the museum’s associate curator of African American and Afro-Diasporic art on February 1, and will oversee how Black art is presented at the museum. At … [Read more...] about National Gallery hires Kanitra Fletcher as its first curator of African American Art
‘I Have A Dream’ – address at The March on Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of … [Read more...] about ‘I Have A Dream’ – address at The March on Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963
Harris will be the first female, Black and Asian vice president, but not the first vice president of color
Vice President Kamala D. Harris is a trailblazer in many ways. She is the first female vice president, the first Black vice president, the first South Asian vice president, and, perhaps, the first vice president to sport Chuck Taylors. But, as some have mistakenly claimed, she is not the first multiracial vice president or the first one of color. That distinction belongs to … [Read more...] about Harris will be the first female, Black and Asian vice president, but not the first vice president of color
Three important lessons we can learn from Dr. King’s legacy
Exactly 91 years ago to the day, a child was born in Atlanta, Georgia named Michael King, Jr., who would change the world. His father would eventually change his name in honor of the German leader of the Protestant Reformation, and it was by that name – Martin Luther King, Jr. – that the world would remember him nearly a century later. Few names in modern American history … [Read more...] about Three important lessons we can learn from Dr. King’s legacy