Little Known Black History Facts
Dr. James West is an inventor and Johns Hopkins professor still working at an age where most would be content with retirement. Now 84, Dr. West helped to develop the electret microphone, which forms the basis for technology used in over 90 percent of modern devices, including microphones, camcorders and other recording devices. James Edward […]
The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards featured a series of historic moments, most notably the wins for actresses Viola Davis and Uzo Aduba. Davis became the first Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, while Aduba won back-to-back awards for the same role but in separate categories. Davis, who plays attorney and […]
Kristin Finley, the lone black female trapezista, or trapeze artist, for the world famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus left a secure job to chase her dreams. As one of the few Black women to ever thrill audiences from the skies, Finley is a living inspiration to young people with similar aspirations. Finley, […]
For its 18th annual “Most Powerful Women” list, Fortune Magazine showcased a few women of color among the 51 selected. Two Georgians, however, stood out among the list and continue to emerge as powerful executives for their respective companies. Rosalind Brewer (pictured, left) ranked 15th, is the CEO and President of Sam’s Club, a division of […]
Comedian and actor Flip Wilson was a popular entertainer in the early ’70’s that was the main star of a popular variety show on the NBC Network. The Flip Wilson Show made its debut on this day in 1970, drawing millions of viewers and becoming one of the top two shows in its first couple […]
Jonathan Lee Iverson is Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey’s first African-American ringmaster, still thrilling audiences as the leading voice for the popular traveling circus. Iverson was also the circus’ youngest-ever ringmaster, cementing his place in history twice. Iverson, born in 1976, is a New York native and learned early on how to grace stages […]
Ebenezer D. Bassett was the first African-American diplomat, serving as an ambassador to Haiti shortly after the Civil War. Bassett was honored this past weekend in New Haven, Conn. for the state’s annual Freedom Trail celebration. Bassett was born October 16, 1833 in the town of Derby to free parents. Bassett’s parents, both free, were […]
Lieutenant Calvin Spann was an original member of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen and military pilot who fought in missions during World War II. Lt. Spann died last week at the age of 90, and has been honored in both his adopted home of Texas and his home state of New Jersey. Spann flew 26 missions […]
The neighborhood of Orange Mound in Southeast Memphis, Tennessee has a rich history that largely goes ignored due to high crime in the region in the ’80’s and ’90’s. What some might not know is that Orange Mound was one of the first communities established for African-Americans in the country and was once a thriving […]
Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was a son of former slaves who became Howard University’s first Black president, raising the academic standards of the vaunted institution over the course of three decades. Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, Howard University became recognized as the premier African-American university. Johnson was born December 12, 1890 in Paris, Tenn. to parents […]
The legendary Satchel Paige is considered by baseball fans as the greatest Negro Leagues pitcher, and a pitching legend period for the feats he achieved while playing in the Major League Baseball league. Paige is the first Black pitcher to play in the World Series, and the first Negro Leagues player to be inducted in […]
Arnold Josiah Ford is recognized by some as the first Black rabbi in the United States. While that fact has been debated, Rabbi Ford is recognized as a pioneering figure in America’s Black Judaism movement. Ford was born in Barbados on April 23, 1877. His father was Nigerian, and his mother hailed from Sierra Leone. […]
