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
Our History
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
This Week in Black History
April 8, 1974 – Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron hits 715 home run, surpassing Babe Ruth as the game’s all-time home-run leader. April 9, 1898 – Paul Robeson, actor, singer, activist, born. April 10, 1947 – Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson becomes first African American to play major league baseball. April 11, 1966 – Emmett Ashford becomes first Black umpire in the … [Read more...] about This Week in Black History
The Milwaukee Times Celebrates Women in the Military
Major Michele Carter served her country through the Army Reserve AND THEN in the Army National Guard. Now firmly entrenched in her civilian career as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Chief at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), US Army veteran Michele Carter served 23 years of enlisted and commissioned military service in the US Army Reserve … [Read more...] about The Milwaukee Times Celebrates Women in the Military
The History of the Black Newspaper
The history of the Black newspaper in the United States is as rich and long as our own. They have served to tell the story of our Black history in our own words, by our own people. They have been our voice in times when it seemed we had none, and have presented a positive and accurate image of the African American as an individual and as a community. Black newspapers (also … [Read more...] about The History of the Black Newspaper