Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr. has amassed a dizzying array of firsts over the course of his long career. On October 17, 1969, Wharton became the first Black president of a predominately white major learning institution when he was elected to lead Michigan State University. Clifton Reginald Wharton was born September 13, 1926 in Boston, Mass. […]
Although the Rev. Patrick Francis Healy appeared to look white and lived his life as such, history has proven that he was indeed of African descent. Born into slavery, Healy became the first African-American to earn a PhD On this day in 1865. Healy was born February 27, 1834 to an Irish farmer and a […]
Diahann Carroll has accomplished several high marks over the course of her long career, including becoming the first Black woman to win a Tony Award. Today is the glamorous actress’ birthday. Carol Diahann Johnson was born on this day in 1935 in The Bronx, and raised primarily in Harlem. She attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia […]
With flags flying high all across the nation this Independence Day, a new dawn is on the horizon for students at the United States Military Academy. Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams was named the first Black commander in West Point’s 216-year history, and had the honor of leading the class this past Monday (July 2). […]
Lois Jean White became the first African-American president of the National Parent Teacher Association, achieving the feat in the state of Tennessee. White helped raise the PTA’s profile in several inner city classrooms where they were not present before. Lois Jean Barron White was born on this day in 1938 and raised by a grandmother […]
James Wormley “Jack” Jones was a World War I veteran and former officer with the Washington Metropolitan Police Department. Jones is considered to be the first special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was instrumental in helping the agency take down Marcus Garvey’s burgeoning movement. Jones was born September 22, 1884 in Fort […]
Tonya Boyd didn’t set out to make history 21 years ago when she joined the FDNY’s Emergency Medical Services team as an EMT. Today, the former EMT is now Deputy Chief Tonya Boyd, the first Black woman to hold the rank in the FDNY’s history. Boyd, who spoke exclusively with the New York Daily News, […]
John Chavis is considered the first Black college student in America. Born free, he studied under with the president of what would later become Princeton University and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Chavis was born in either 1762 or 1763 to free parents in heavily debated places of origins that include North Carolina, […]
Lovely Warren, the current mayor of Rochester, New York, is the first woman and second African-American to hold the seat. After winning the Democratic Party primary last month in a resounding fashion, Warren is setting her sights on re-election this coming November. Warren, 40, was born and raised in upstate New York. She attended John […]
Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green is one of the few Black women physicists in America, and her efforts to introduce a groundbreaking treatment for cancer has brought her recognition and accolades. Green, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was orphaned young and raised by an aunt and uncle. An excellent student, Green was offered a full scholarship […]
Ashley Derby was like many teenagers whose first job is at a fast food restaurant, but she probably didn’t expect it to become her longtime career path. But in 2011, six years after her college graduation, Derby became the youngest Black franchise owner in Chick-Fil-A’s history at the age of 26 and has since expanded […]
Lady Sara Lou Harris Carter broke a number of barriers in her modeling and fashion career. After attending HBCU Bennett College in North Carolina, Carter went on to become the first African-American model to star in a national ad campaign, according to historians. The future model was born July 4, 1923 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. […]
