Little Known Black History Facts
During slavery, some slaves were given a day of rest while others were forced to continue work. In some parts of the country, slaves were given a yule log to burn in the big house. As long as the log burned, they were granted rest during the holiday. Sometimes the log would burn until the […]
In 1987, Alice Harden became the first black woman in the Mississippi state Senate. One year later, she was elected to the DNC. Harden represented a state that was over 35 percent black, but only held 3 black members in the Senate, with Harden becoming the first woman. Harden, who was known for her political […]
Britt Faulkner has become the first African American student to receive a Masters Degree in Bioengineering at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. At a recent winter ceremony, Faulkner walked among 875 other graduates. Bioengineering applies engineering technology to biology or human health. Faulkner’s motivation was sparked by her cousin’s diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. She […]
Tim Scott is the first African-American from South Carolina elected to the House of Representatives since 1901. Soon he will be the only African-American in the U.S. Senate. He will replace Republican Senator Jim DeMint. Scott was raised by a single mother in Charleston, South Carolina. He admits to being a troubled student. His life […]
William Carney was the first black U.S. soldier to earn the Presidential Medal of Honor. In 1863, Carney joined the Morgan Guards, which later became the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Carney was born a slave in 1840. After moving to New Bedford, MA, Carney’s father escaped slavery and later bought his […]
The Smithsonian Castle was built in 1847. The historic structure sits in Washington D.C. and has recently been found to be built by slaves. Some of those slaves were owned by Martha Washington. There’s been a longtime search by historians to know which historic D.C. buildings were built by slaves. Two of the most notable […]
In a special edition of “Little Known Black History Fact” comedian Tommy Davidson details the life of Dr. Frantz Fanon. (listen above) Dr. Frantz Fanon was a Martinique born psychiatrist, philosopher, and internationally acclaimed writer. Best known for his piece about the impact of decolonization titled “The Wretched of the Earth.” In the book, Fanon […]
Renee Powell was the second black woman to play on the LPGA tour behind Althea Gibson. Powell played on the tour from 1967 to 1980. The East Canton, Ohio native started playing golf at three years old. Her father, William Powell, is the only African American to design, build, own and operate a golf course […]
Julius Soubise was the son of a Jamaican slave from St. Kitts in the Caribbean, who was brought to England in the 1760s by Captain Stair Douglas. At ten years old, Soubise was given to the Duchess of Queensbury who treated the child like her own son. She and her husband Charles dressed and educated […]
On February 12, 1958, opera singer Gloria Davy became the first black woman to sing the legendary performance of “Aida” at the New York Met. The role of Aida, (whose character was an Ethiopian princess), had always been played by white singers in dark makeup. Davy was a beauty of the stage and had already […]
Jeni LeGon of Vancouver, Canada is a tap dancing legend and the former dance partner of Bill Robinson, Fred Astaire and Fats Waller. LeGon was a pioneer in tap dancing and perhaps the first famous black female dancing soloist. Unlike the many ladies of the stage, LeGon wore loose pants and low-heeled shoes as opposed […]
Charniele Herring has been elected the first black chairwoman of the Virginia’s Democratic Party. Herring is the first African American to ever head a major political party. She is a three-term state delegate. Herring was elected to the General Assembly in January 2009 and she is the first black woman from Northern Virginia ever elected […]
