Little Known Black History Facts
Pat Rainey was a famous showgirl, singer and actress of the late 1940’s. She was the first black singer to appear at exclusive supper clubs, including the famous Zanzibar Night Club. Referred to as a “society girl”, Rainey was described as a stunning beauty. Originally from Boston, Rainey was romantically connected to men such as […]
The Girl Scouts of America began as an all-white organization in Savannah, Ga., in 1912. Five years later, in 1917, the troop introduced its first African American girl scouts, possibly in the New York area. This positive change led to the integration of more scout troops in 1950, 14 years before the Civil Rights Movement. […]
Hall Johnson was a legendary composer who built one of the most beloved black choirs in the country. Johnson’s choirs went to Broadway, performing in the 1930 production of Marc Connelly’s “The Green Pastures”, which was later adapted for both TV and film. It was Hall Johnson’s Negro Choir that was behind the classic Disney […]
The Tuskegee Airmen were formed in 1941 in Tuskegee, Alabama. They would serve as the first black members of America’s Air Force. Among those enlisted one year later were Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard R. Hall, Jr. and Retired Lieutenant Colonel Bob Hughes – a white man. The definition of a Tuskegee Airman […]
Black photographer Bill Jones has captured many of America’s top favorite celebrities past and present on camera. His collection of historical photographs includes 1960’s photos of Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby, Denzel Washington, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston and Eddie Murphy, during their time as rising stars. Those who worked around Jones said that he was more […]
Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington when over 200,000 people heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message. Many are familiar with his famous speeches, but only eight students had the privilege of receiving one-on-one instruction from Dr. King. In 1962, during his tenure at Morehouse College, Dr. King taught eight students […]
In Chicago, 1893, black people were excluded from the activities of the Worlds’ Columbian Exposition, also known as The World’s Fair. The event had been dubbed “the White City” to describe the area at the Court of Honor. At first, blacks could work at the event, but not attend. A young Paul Laurence Dunbar was […]
On Saturday, August 24, 2013, tens of thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Crowds gathered in the same fashion as they did in 1963 to hear Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The day featured speakers who serve as civil rights leaders […]
August 28th marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. That day between 200,000 and 300,000 people gathered at our nation’s capitol to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of hope in his “I Have a Dream Speech.” To date, the March on Washington is the largest political gathering […]
For the first time in 157 years, the Mississippi State Medical Association has selected a black physician to head its organization. The 5,000-member medical group has selected Dr. Claude Brunson as its president-elect. Dr. Brunson is currently senior adviser to the vice chancellor for external affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Brunson […]
Ronald McNair was a black astronaut and NASA mission specialist who was part of the space shuttle Challenger crew in 1986. McNair was a highly trained doctor of physics who received his Ph.D from MIT. After receiving a number of fellowships, McNair dedicated his studies to CO2 lasers and even the study of science within […]
There is a street in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma named Brady Street that honored Wyatt “Tate” Brady, a Ku Klux Klan member. Brady, a wealthy business owner and founder of the town, was responsible for signing the document that created the town of Tulsa in 1907. Unfortunately, Brady later instigated the big Tulsa Race Riot in […]
