January 6, 1831 The World Anti-Slavery Convention opens in London. January 7, 1890 William B. Purvis patents fountain pen. January 8, 1811 Charles Deslandes leads slave revolt in Louisiana. January 9, 1866 Fisk University is founded in Nashville. January 10, 1864 George Washington Carver, agricultural scientist, born. January 11, 1985 Reuben V. … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History
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This Week In Black History
December 30, 1842 Congressman Josiah Walls born. December 31, 1930 Odetta, blues and folk singer, born. January 1, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation January 2, 1965 Martin Luther King, Jr. calls for non-violent protests if Alabama Blacks are not allowed to register and vote. January 3, 1624 William Tucker first African American … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History
This Week In Black History
December 23, 1869 Madam C.J. Walker, businesswoman and first African American woman millionaire, born. December 24, 1832 Charter granted to the Georgia Infirmary, the first Black hospital. December 25, 1760 Jupiter Hammon becomes first published Black poet with his poem, “An Evening Thought”. December 26, 1894 Jean Toomer, author of Cane, born. December … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History
The commanders: Admirals and generals in the United States military
On October 25, 1940, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., was appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, becoming the first African American general in the history of the United States Military. Since then nearly 400 other African American women and men have been appointed to that rank. The highest rank in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps … [Read more...] about The commanders: Admirals and generals in the United States military
Milwaukee lynching victim George Marshall Clark receives headstone after 160 years
Nearly two centuries after he was brutally lynched, the City of Milwaukee is remembering the life of George Marshall Clark with a monument to ensure his story is not forgotten. "I think this is needed. And it's about time," said artist Tyrone Randale, Jr. Clark was only 22 years old when his life was cut short. "He was a well-thought-of young man, well-liked, and just … [Read more...] about Milwaukee lynching victim George Marshall Clark receives headstone after 160 years
Remembering the 58th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing
Say their names: Addie Mae Collins, 14 Denise McNair, 11 Carole Robertson, 14 Cynthia Wesley, 14 On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded during Sunday morning services in the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, killing four young girls. With its large African American congregation, the 16th Street Baptist Church served as a meeting place for civil rights … [Read more...] about Remembering the 58th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing
Black Music Month: The Great Men of Jazz
In our June 10 issue we celebrated Black Music Month by spotlighting the 'Great Ladies of Jazz.' This week it's the men's turn as we look at 15 Jazz legends that forever changed the face of music. Louis Armstrong Louis Daniel Armstrong, nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist who is among the most influential figures in jazz. … [Read more...] about Black Music Month: The Great Men of Jazz
Seventeen LGBTQ+ Black pioneers who made history
From 1960s civil rights activist Bayard Rustin to Chicago's first black female and lesbian mayor, Lori Lightfoot, black LGBTQ Americans have long made history with innumerable contributions to politics, art, medicine and a host of other fields. “As long as there have been black people, there have been black LGBTQ and same-gender-loving people,” David J. Johns, executive … [Read more...] about Seventeen LGBTQ+ Black pioneers who made history
This Week in Black History
June 17. 1775 – Minuteman Peter Salem Fights In The Battle Of Bunker Hill. June 18, 1863 – The 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry attacks Fort Wagner, S.C. June 19, 1865 – Blacks in Texas are notified of Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863. “Juneteenth,” marks the event. June 20, 1953 – Albert W. Dent of Dillard University elected president of … [Read more...] about This Week in Black History
The History of Our First African American Mayors
By Tann vom Hove, Senior Fellow, City Mayors Research* Black Americans have become instrumental in US local government December 2020: It is thought that America’s first elected black mayors were Pierre Caliste Landry from Donaldsonville in southern Louisiana and Stephen Swails from Kingstree, South Carolina. Both men were elected in 1868, the year the 14th amendment … [Read more...] about The History of Our First African American Mayors