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
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
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
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 Overlooked Black History of Memorial Day
Nowadays, Memorial Day honors veterans of all wars, but its roots are in America’s deadliest conflict, the Civil War. Approximately 620,000 soldiers died, about two-thirds from disease. The work of honoring the dead began right away all over the country, and several American towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. Researchers have traced the earliest annual … [Read more...] about The Overlooked Black History of Memorial Day
Six underrated cities in the US to celebrate Black history all year long
We are well into the start of a new year, and for Black Americans, that means reconciling all that the last year put us through. We navigated a lot in 2020, both within our own homes and in our nation at large. But now, as the clouds begin to clear, we are beginning to look forward to things again, and that includes our travels. Within the diaspora and otherwise, in order to … [Read more...] about Six underrated cities in the US to celebrate Black history all year long
Celebrating This Week in Black History
May 20, 1961 – U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy dispatches U.S. Marshals to Montgomery, Ala., to restore order in the “Freedom Rider” disturbance. May 21, 1833 – African Americans enroll for the first time at Oberlin College, Ohio. May 22, 1921 – Shuffle Along, a musical featuring a score by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle, opens on Broadway. May 23, 1900 – Sgt. … [Read more...] about Celebrating This Week in Black History
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
Milwaukee Fire Department Black History
MILWAUKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT BLACK HISTORY! In the beginning there were four MFD trailblazers, who paved the way. Pictured (top photo, from left) Chief Stephanie Hampton; first African American Female Firefighter Valerie Woodard; Firefighter Elizabeth Ewing; and (lower photo) Dr. Maureen Aniakudo Firefighter, RIH. We salute these extraordinary women who have blazed the trail to … [Read more...] about Milwaukee Fire Department Black History