William “Bill” Lucas was a pioneer in Major League Baseball as the game’s first African-American manager. Lucas was the “skipper” of the Atlanta Braves, holding the position for three years. Lucas was born in Jacksonville, Fla. on January 25, 1936. Lucas attended Florida A&M University, and was signed by the Milwaukee Braves when he left […]

Carol Moseley Braun landed in the history books as the first African-American woman elected to the United States Senate. The feat is especially resonant as Ms. Braun remains the only Black woman thus far to hold that office. Born in Chicago, Ill. on August 16, 1947, Braun was raised by father Joseph, a Chicago police […]

Singer and entertainer Adam Wade made history on this day in 1975 by becoming the first African-American host of a nationally televised game show. The CBS afternoon program, Musical Chairs, ran from June 16 and ended on October of that year. Wade, who had a series of hit singles in the early 1960s, said that […]

Roy Eaton may not be a household name, but his voice has been prominent a part of the advertising landscape since the early 1960s. Eaton’s pioneering work as a jingles composer earned him the distinction of being the first African-American to work for a major ad agency. Eaton’s path to making advertising history was a […]

Exclusives, Little Known Black History Facts, Newsletter, Originals

 Dr. James Frank was the first black President of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Dr. Frank is also the former Southwestern Athletic Conference Commissioner. He began his educational career when he was awarded a four-year basketball scholarship to Lincoln University in Missouri, eventually becoming captain of the basketball team. After graduation, Dr. Frank served […]

If You Missed It, Little Known Black History Facts, Originals

For many years, the distinction of being Yale University’s first Black student went to Edward Bouchet, an 1874 graduate. His portrait hung in the Yale library for over a century and the university named several fellowships and symposiums after him. Bouchet was also the first African-American to earn a PhD (at Yale in 1876) and […]