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
Our History
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
Honor Women’s History Month by supporting Black women at work
If you want to celebrate Women’s History Month and Black Women's History Month in April, support the black and brown women in your workplace. But you might want to skip the tribute lunches or “lean-in” style pep talks. This is the premise of a new article published in HBR from Zuhairah Washington, a senior vice president at Expedia Group and Laura Morgan Roberts, a … [Read more...] about Honor Women’s History Month by supporting Black women at work
Women’s History Month: Women of color whose names you should know
Part Two of Two: These leaders — Black, Latina, Asian, Arab, Native American — in varied fields, broke both gender and racial barriers as they made history. Here is a by-no-means-comprehensive primer recognizing 36 women of color, past and present: LaDonna Harris LaDonna Harris is a Native American activist and member of the Comanche tribe. She is the founder and … [Read more...] about Women’s History Month: Women of color whose names you should know
Women’s History Month: Women of color whose names you should know
Part One of Two: These leaders — Black, Latina, Asian, Arab, Native American — in varied fields, broke both gender and racial barriers as they made history. Here is a by-no-means-comprehensive primer recognizing 36 women of color, past and present: Peggy Alexander and Diane Nash Peggy Alexander and Diane Nash participated at lunch counter sit-ins during the 1960s … [Read more...] about Women’s History Month: Women of color whose names you should know
This is how March became ‘Women’s History Month’
Many things have come to womankind surprisingly recently: The right to vote. The right to own property. And, perhaps less surprisingly, the existence of Women’s History Month. Before women had the whole month, the U.S. recognized Women’s History Week; before that, a single International Women’s Day. Dedicating the whole month of March in honor of women’s achievements may … [Read more...] about This is how March became ‘Women’s History Month’
‘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
Three important lessons we can learn from Dr. King’s legacy
Exactly 88 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