Ronald V. Dellums, the son of a West Oakland longshoreman who as a liberal Congressman never forgot his roots as an anti-war activist and human rights champion, died early Monday, July 30, 2018, at his Washington, DC, home. He was 82. Dellums, who ended his political career as mayor of Oakland, recently battled prostate cancer, said Rep. Barbara Lee, who succeeded him in … [Read more...] about Oakland’s third Black mayor and congressman, Ron Dellums, dies at 82
Our History
Facts African Americans need to know about the Fourth of July
Not that anybody really needs another reason to celebrate the Fourth of July, but if you’re African American and operating under the misguided notion that our ancestors weren’t involved in securing the country’s independence on July 4, 1776, or that black Americans didn’t contribute significantly to building the nation — you’d be wrong. The holiday was originally intended to … [Read more...] about Facts African Americans need to know about the Fourth of July
What is Juneteenth and what does it commemorate?
What is Juneteenth and why is it an important event in black history? The holiday dates back to June 19, 1865, when Texas slaves were freed well after other black Americans won their liberty. Texas declared Juneteenth a state holiday on Jan. 1, 1980, and today 36 states recognize or observe Juneteenth as a holiday. Barbecuing, sipping strawberry soda and picnicking are some … [Read more...] about What is Juneteenth and what does it commemorate?
Move over, Andrew Jackson; Harriet Tubman is coming to the $20 bill
The Treasury Department will announce on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 that Harriet Tubman, an African American who ferried hundreds of slaves to freedom, will replace the slaveholding Andrew Jackson on the center of a new $20 note, according to a Treasury official, while newly popular Alexander Hamilton will remain on the face of the $10 bill. Other depictions of women and civil … [Read more...] about Move over, Andrew Jackson; Harriet Tubman is coming to the $20 bill
Black History
Thursday December10: American singer, songwriter and talent scout, Otis Redding, died in 1967 in a plane crash in Lake Monona near Madison. He and all but one other member on the plane were killed. They were due to perform at the Factory nightclub, near the University of Wisconsin. The following month his most popular cross-over hit “(Sittin on) the Dock of Bay,” was released. … [Read more...] about Black History
Rosa Parks wasn’t meek, passive, or naive — and 7 other things you probably didn’t learn in school
Much of what students are taught, and much of what most Americans think they know about Parks’s activism, is wrong Sixty years ago, on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus and was arrested. Her courageous action galvanized a yearlong community boycott and helped usher in a new chapter of the Black freedom struggle. Its is now one of the … [Read more...] about Rosa Parks wasn’t meek, passive, or naive — and 7 other things you probably didn’t learn in school
THIS WEEK IN Black History
Thursday, November 19 After nine years of exile in Cuba, Algeria and France, Eldridge Cleaver returned to California in 1977, to face charges of attempted murder following a 1968 shootout with Oakland police. He returned to the United States and surrendered to the F.B.I. under a deal with the government by which he pleaded guilty to the assault charge stemming from the … [Read more...] about THIS WEEK IN Black History
This Week in Black History
Thursday November 12: The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., was founded by seven young educators who sought to raise the standards of school teachers in 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. These individuals included Mary Lou Allison Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Dublin Redford, Bessie M. Downey and Cubene … [Read more...] about This Week in Black History
This Week in BLACK HISTORY
November 5: A record number of nine African Americans were elected to U.S. House of Representatives on this day in 1968. Along with eight men, Rep. Shirley Chisholm became the first black congresswomen. Sen. Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass.) had been elected two years previously giving African Americans a record total of 10 members of Congress. The previous record of eight occurred … [Read more...] about This Week in BLACK HISTORY
Cream City Medical Society: The history of African Americans in medicine in Milwaukee (part 1)
By: Rene’ Settle-Robinson, D.P.M., Cheryl R. Martin, M.D. (2002), Bernestine Jeffers and Sana Montgomery (2002), Additions and Revisions by: Mbili F. Waller (2007), Janine A. James, M.D. (2002 and 2007) in Health Care: Closing the Gap. Another involvement is The Healthiest Wisconsin 2010: A Partnership Plan to Improve the Health of the Public, a framework for transforming … [Read more...] about Cream City Medical Society: The history of African Americans in medicine in Milwaukee (part 1)