Little Known Black History Facts
Today, Charleston, South Carolina, has a reputation of being one of America’s friendliest cities and a popular travel destination for vacationers nationwide. The “Holy City” was also once regarded as the national’s capital of the international slave trade, with 40 to 60 percent of slaves landing in the New World within the region. Sullivan’s Island, […]
The late Ossie Davis and his wife Ruby Dee were one of Black Hollywood’s greatest love stories. The legendary, actor, author, playwright, poet, and civil rights activist was born Raiford Chatman Davis in South Georgia’s Clinch County on December 18, 1917. Raised in the rural south, Davis and his family faced severe discrimination and threats […]
Today’s NBA features a bevy of African-American superstars as the sport has far evolved beyond its predominantly white past. During the 1950-51 season, a quartet of Black players broke the color lines, paving the way for the future of the league. Chuck Cooper (pictured) was the first Black player drafted into the NBA, selected first […]
Ohio, often referred to as the birthplace of aviation, has battled with North Carolina over that distinction for many years. But there’s no debate that pioneering aviator Lonnie Carmon was the first African-American to fly in Central Ohio in an aircraft he built from scratch. According to accounts from Carmon’s family and several historical societies, […]
The late Ann Petry holds the distinction of being the first Black woman writer to sell over 1 million copies of a book. Her 1946 bestseller, The Street, focused on a single mother living on 116th Street in Harlem and was inspired by her time living in the famed New York borough. Petry was born Anna […]
She may not be as familiar a name as other pioneers in women’s basketball, like former L.A. Sparks star Lisa Leslie or former WNBA star and University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley. But Lusia Harris helped paved the way for them and for the WNBA, which just recently signed a new collective […]
Racing champion Willy T. Ribbs is a rarity in the world of auto racing as very few African-Americans have been embraced as race car drivers. Despite the odds, Ribbs made history not once, but twice, on the race track. On May 19, 1991, Ribbs became the first Black race car driver to qualify for Indianapolis […]
Robert Robinson Taylor is recognized as the first Black student to attend the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, along with becoming its first Black graduate. Taylor is also regarded as the nation’s first Black architect, and his likeness has appeared on a Black Heritage Forever stamp. Born June 8, 1868 in Wilmington, N.C., Taylor’s father […]
Langston Hughes was a literary giant who found fame during the rise of Black art and culture known widely as the Harlem Renaissance. As a leader of that movement, Hughes’ legacy is set, but his work transcends the period. The legendary poet’s 118th birthday just passed. Hughes was born February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, […]
The National Hockey League has seen a resurgence of Black players in recent times and New Jersey Devils’ defenseman P.K. Subban has emerged as one of the game’s brightest stars. Beyond Subban’s athletic ability, he’s also known as one of the sport’s most charitable athletes. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER: At 6′ and 210 pounds, […]
The so-called “Fayetteville Murders” that occurred near Fort Bragg in North Carolina exposed an ugly undercurrent of racism in the nation’s military. Michael James and Jackie Burden were senselessly gunned down by a trio of white soldiers as they walked down a dirt road in Fayetteville. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER: The incident took place […]
In 1988, the Washington Washington Football Team and the Denver Broncos clashed in San Diego, Calif. for Super Bowl XXII. Quarterback Doug Williams led the Skins to victory, becoming the first Black starting quarterback to play in the big game and the first Black quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP. SIGN UP FOR OUR […]
