A recurring theme of movies made during World War II is servicemen risking their lives for their platoon buddies, invariably a New Yorker (sometimes Jewish), a Southerner, a Midwesterner, a Californian, someone of Eastern European background, an Italian-American and an Irish-American. In the movie’s standard setup, we learn their motivation: a brother/ friend lost at Pearl … [Read more...] about Spare a special moment for Black veterans
Our History
Remembering Shirley Chisholm: the first Black woman to run for U.S. President from the Democratic party
We are standing on the shoulders of giants! With the recent historic win of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the first African American, South Asian woman to become Vice President, we think it’s important to honor those who came before us. One of the most important and pivotal Black political figures of our time was Shirley Anita Chisholm. According to the U.S. House … [Read more...] about Remembering Shirley Chisholm: the first Black woman to run for U.S. President from the Democratic party
‘I Had a Right to Be at Central’: Remembering Little Rock’s integration battle
It was late September 1957, and students at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas had been in class for three weeks. Everyone, that is, but 14-year-old Carlotta Walls (pictured right) and eight other teenagers who were to be Central High’s first black students. They had been prevented from entering the school by an angry mob of citizens, backed up by a group of Arkansas … [Read more...] about ‘I Had a Right to Be at Central’: Remembering Little Rock’s integration battle
Remembering the 57th 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 57th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist church bombing
Ron Husband: The Story of Disney’s First Black Animator
By William Gooden Who was the first African American Disney animator? Most Disney geeks, like myself, will answer “Floyd Norman” and until a few weeks ago, I would have said the same thing. However, I am wrong (and you probably are, too). While Floyd Norman did work for Disney animation, he was never technically an animator and the title of first black animator at Disney … [Read more...] about Ron Husband: The Story of Disney’s First Black Animator
50 years after Black Power Fist, John Carlos and Tommie Smith to be inducted into Olympic Hall of Fame
Originally, John Carlos and Tommie Smith planned to call for a boycott of the Olympics over the lack of Black coaches at the 1968 Olympics. But with a massacre in Mexico City happening 10 days before the opening of the games, the black-gloved fist was a “cry for freedom and for human rights,” as Smith said. Unfortunately, this gesture came with swift backlash. Smith and Carlos, … [Read more...] about 50 years after Black Power Fist, John Carlos and Tommie Smith to be inducted into Olympic Hall of Fame
A Denver sculptor was the first Black man trained as an astronaut ahead of Apollo 11, but he never made it to space
As July lengthens, the flood of ads for TV series, films and events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 moon landing has hit a high mark. Through grainy footage of slow-motion rocket launches and high-definition interviews, they tell a familiar but thrilling tale of America’s nascent steps off the planet. Most look crisp and compelling, … [Read more...] about A Denver sculptor was the first Black man trained as an astronaut ahead of Apollo 11, but he never made it to space
The Chicago Defender moves to a digital-only publishing model
The Chicago Defender, a 114-year-old, weekly newspaper devoted to news and information about African Americans in the Chicago area, announced publication of its final print edition on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. “This is not a sad day, it’s an exciting times,” Hiram E. Jackson, chief executive officer of Real Times Media said as reported by Black Press USA. “We have several … [Read more...] about The Chicago Defender moves to a digital-only publishing model
Father Augustus Tolton, the first Black American Roman Catholic priest, is expected to become the first Black American saint
Father Augustus Tolton, the Roman Catholic Church’s first Black priest, who is slated to become the church’s first Black saint, was forced to attend seminary in Rome because no American school would admit him because of his race, despite his intellect, special abilities (he spoke several languages) and his devotion to the church. Tolton, a former slave from Missouri, … [Read more...] about Father Augustus Tolton, the first Black American Roman Catholic priest, is expected to become the first Black American saint
Martin Luther King, Jr.: 51 years later, his battles live on
By Rachel L. Swarns Martin Luther King Jr. remains frozen in time for many Americans. Seared into our consciousness is the man who battled Southern segregation. We see him standing before hundreds of thousands of followers in the nation’s capital in 1963, proclaiming his dream for racial harmony. We see him marching, arms locked with fellow protesters, through the … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King, Jr.: 51 years later, his battles live on