The Desire Projects were a notorious housing development in New Orleans’ 9th Ward, was considered the worst in the state. The projects were the site of a large shootout between Black Panthers and the police that took place on this day in 1970, leading to tensions that remained long after the standoff. Longtime Louisiana activist […]
The hair and fashion industry can boast of several innovators, including Madame C.J. Walker, among others. Christina M. Jenkins is one of those great minds who is largely credited for creating the hair weaving process. Christina Mae Thomas was born Christmas Day in 1920, although there are conflicting dates regarding her day of birth. She […]
The late John H. Johnson was the founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, the largest Black-owned firm of its kind in the United States. Johnson, who dabbled in other ventures beyond publications, is also the first African-American to land on the Forbes 400 list. John Harold Johnson was born in rural Arkansas City, Ark. on January […]
Malvin R. Goode was a pioneer in broadcast journalism, becoming the first African-American news correspondent for a major television network on this day in 1962. Goode arrived at the pinnacle of his career later in life, but his accomplishment serves as a testament to the work ethic he developed in the steel mills of Pittsburgh. […]
Floyd Norman was the first Black animator hired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios, a legacy that will remain cemented in time. Norman is the subject of a new documentary that airs this weekend in Hollywood, and reveals little-known details about the animator’s private life. Norman was born June 22, 1935 in Santa Barbara, Calif., […]
Toni “Tomboy” Stone was the first woman to play for a men’s professional baseball league. Although she was signed to save a lagging Negro League team’s ticket sales, she proved to be far more than just a novelty player. Marcenia Lyle Stone was born July 17, 1921 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Of her four siblings, Stone […]
Linda Martell was a former country and blues artist who made her mark in the industry by becoming the first African-American woman to star in the Grand Ole Opry. Martell enjoyed a brief period of success but elected to raise her family and preserve her health instead of chasing down fame as a musician. Born […]
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has produced a series of world-class athletes competing in the Summer Olympics over the years. However, the country can boast just one winner of an Olympic gold individual medal with policewoman Chioma Ajunwa responsible for the historic moment. Born on Christmas Day, 1970, Ajunwa was raised poor in a small […]
Carrie Saxon Perry is the first Black woman mayor of a major New England city, achieving the historic mark in 1987 at the age of 56. The former Howard University and community activist used the largely ceremonial role as Hartford’s mayor to address issues such as crime, racial tension, and more. Perry was born in […]
This weekend in Houston, Texas, the army units known as the Buffalo Soldiers celebrated their 150th Anniversary. The Buffalo Soldiers, originally composed of former slaves and free men, were the first Black troops established during peacetime after the conclusion of the Civil War. On July 28,1866, the U.S. Army was reorganized for peacetime service a […]
During the opening ceremonies Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, First Lady Michelle Obama mentioned in her speech that the White House was built by slaves. A growing number of skeptics attempted to discredit Mrs. Obama’s remarks, but the story has been verified several times over by historians in recent times. According to […]
The Indianapolis Fire Department honored its first Black police chief over the weekend by renaming a station in his honor. Chief Joseph D. Kimbrew Sr., who died last year, was instrumental in helping bridge the racial divide between Black and white firefighters in the city. Kimbrew, a native of Indianapolis and graduate of the famed […]
