Little Known Black History Facts
High school football is huge in the south, especially in North Carolina. In 1964 in the small town of Hickory, history was made when the all-Black Ridgeview Panthers went undefeated, winning all twelve games in that season. What makes the Panthers’ run even more astounding is that their opponents never once scored on them. Ridgeview […]
Baroness Valerie Amos has achieved two significant marks in the United Kingdom. She is the first Black woman to serve on the British Cabinet, and the first Black woman to become a director at a university in Great Britain. Born March 13, 1954, Amos was born in Guyana, which was a former British colony. After […]
Alyce Dixon, the oldest-living World War II female veteran, turned 108 last month. Despite Dixon’s long and fruitful years, she still maintains a strong sense of humor and well-deserved reputation for telling jokes. Dixon was born September 11, 1907 in Boston, Mass., the third-oldest of nine children. Dixon’s family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1924, which […]
Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai became the first Black African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize on this day in 2004. Dr. Maathai, who hails from Kenya, was given the award by the judges based on her “contributions to sustainable development, democracy, and peace” according to the Nobel organization. Maathai was born April 1, 1940 […]
Songwriter and performer Harvey Scales is the first songwriter of a platinum-selling single. Scales was a co-writer for singer Johnnie Taylor’s 70’s hit, “Disco Lady,” which is the first single to ever sell over 1 million copies. Scales, born 1941 in Osceola, Ark. and raised in Milwaukee, Wisc., got his start in the early 60’s […]
The lack of diversity in some of the world’s leading technology brands has not gone unnoticed by the Congressional Black Caucus. Members of the CBC and other organizations have been pushing Silicon Valley to hire more people of color and women to the executive ranks. Apple, one of the word’s leading tech companies heeded the […]
Robert Smith amassed a fortune in the world of enterprise software on his way to becoming the second-richest Black person in America. Mr. Smith is second only to Oprah Winfrey and has surpassed Michael Jordan in the listing of the world’s billionaires after making the ‘Forbes 400’ list. Smith is the founder and CEO of […]
The late Mabel Fairbanks might not have been afforded the opportunity to chase Olympic gold as an ice skater, but she is still rightfully recognized as a pioneer of the sport. Fairbanks is the first Black woman inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and coached many of the sport’s brightest stars. Fairbanks […]
Dr. Sybil C. Mobley, founder of Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry, died early Tuesday morning. Dr. Mobley’s contributions to FAMU are certainly noteworthy, and she was a leader in the world of business as well. Mobley was born Oct. 14, 1925 in Shreveport, La. Mobley obtained her bachelor’s from Bishop College ahead […]
Dr. Elson S. Floyd, the 10th president of Washington State University, died this summer after battling colon caner. Affectionately known as “E Flo” by his students, Dr. Floyd’s on-hands approach and connection to student culture endeared him to those who thrived under his leadership at the university level. Floyd was born February 29, 1956 in […]
The Oblate Sisters of Providence are the oldest order of Black nuns in the world. Founded in 1829 by Rev. Father James Hector Joubert and Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, (pictured) the order still exists today and continues Mother Mary’s dedication of service to children and the poor. Not much is known about Lange’s early life and […]
Thomas Carter has become a successful film and television director after beginning his career in front of the camera. Carter’s most notable screen role was the part of James “Hollywood” Hayward on CBS’ The White Shadow, and it was there when Carter also learned the craft of directing. Carter was born July 17, 1953 in […]
