Little Known Black History Facts
On this day just last year, President Obama signed legislation H.R. 6336 to have a statue of Frederick Douglass sent to Emancipation Hall. The statue represents the District of Columbia. Each state is allowed two statues to represent at our nation’s capitol in the halls of Congress. The district was only allowed one, since it […]
Maude Ballou was the personal secretary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from 1955 to 1960. During that time, she saved personal notes and papers from the civil rights leader, including a typed page from Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, which had been sent to her on Jan. 31, 1968, weeks before Dr. […]
In January 1934, Esquire magazine introduced a mascot cartoon named Esky. Esky was a bug-eyed white man, with an up-turned mustache and slicked back hair, designed by a black man named Elmer Simms Campbell. Campbell was the first African American cartoonist to write for a national magazine and the first black syndicated cartoonist. His cartoon […]
For the first time in history, a person of African descent is being considered for a new member of parliament in Germany. Karamba Diaby of Senegal is a member of the Social Democrat Party in Germany. He prides himself on running his campaign similar to the way they are run in the U.S. His platform […]
It was fifty years ago on September 15, 1963 that the historic 16th Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama was blown away, taking the lives of four little girls. The names of Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, and Denise McNair – young victims of hate – are forever carved in history. The men […]
A public memorial will be held for E. Steven Collins, a respected radio personality in Philadelphia and member of the Radio One family. He was nicknamed “The Un-official Mayor of Philadelphia.” Collins held a legacy of being a positive influence and beacon of change through his segment called “Philly Speaks.” He served as director of […]
Today is the birthday of the late singer Barry White, a.k.a. “The Maestro.” The Galveston, Texas native is known for his hit songs “You’re the First, My Last, My Everything,” “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe” & “Never Never Gonna Give You Up.” White, (who was born Barry Eugene Carter) grew up around gangs […]
In the mid 18th century, there lived a slave on a Waterbury, Connecticut plantation named Fortune. He was owned by a famous bone surgeon named Dr. Preserved Porter. Fortune, his wife Dinah and their three children served the Porters on a 75 acre-farm. Fortune had an additional son named Africa, born in 1772. The family […]
In Oxford, Ohio, at the Woodside Cemetery, a plain headstone had served as the grave marker for 30 black civil war soldiers for 99 years. The original marker was put in place in 1914 by the Women’s Relief Corps, which disbanded before they could finish the job. Eight of the soldiers buried at Woodside were […]
Nick Gabaldon was the first known black surfer in the United States. He openly surfed in the segregated beaches of California. Gabaldon is noted as being a historical leader for black surfers in the United States. Raised in Santa Monica, California in the 1930’s, he taught himself how to surf at a nearby beach. it […]
The 2013 NFL season kicks off on Sunday, September 8th. On this year’s star roster is a record number of black quarterbacks. For the first time in history, the NFL will start with nine black quarterbacks. Among those on the list is E.J. Manuel of the Buffalo Bills, the only quarterback taken in the first […]
Rear Admiral Stephen Rochon was the first African American Chief Usher at the White House. The Admiral served as Director of the Executive Residence in the White House from 2007-2011. He was responsible for the execution of all major events at the White House and preserving the home’s historic presence. A native of New Orleans, […]
