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
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
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
Great Names in Milwaukee’s Black Press
FOUNDERS & PUBLISHERS The Late Nathan Conyers, Founder, The Christian Times and The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper Dr. Mary Ellen Shadd-Strong, Publisher, Milwaukee Community Journal Patricia Pattillo, Founder, CEO and Publisher, Milwaukee Community Journal Robert J. Thomas, Co-founder, Milwaukee Community Journal Jerrell Jones, Publisher, Milwaukee Courier Linda … [Read more...] about Great Names in Milwaukee’s Black Press
Henrietta Lacks: A Black history legacy of giving as told by Jeri Lacks
By: Jeri Lacks-Whye, granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks You’ve seen this iconic photo of beautiful Henrietta with her hands on her hips, a broad smile and eyes that seem to say “LOVE.” Henrietta Lacks is a name now known and revered, for hers is a life that keeps on giving. In this month of Black History and Valentine’s Day, Henrietta’s life is a love story of family … [Read more...] about Henrietta Lacks: A Black history legacy of giving as told by Jeri Lacks
Honoring Black History Week 3: The History of Black Doctors
Though Black Americans make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, they represent only 5 percent of physicians. Despite this imbalance, Milwaukee is lucky to have a rich history of Black doctors who have been vital to our community. They have fought to eliminate health disparities in the medical community and even have fought for our civil rights. This week for Black History … [Read more...] about Honoring Black History Week 3: The History of Black Doctors