You may also like
Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award BlackPast.org
The Free, Go-To Resource for Students and Educators
Read more
Source: Black Past
Blackpast.org Awards and Distinctions, 2009 to present
Back to About Us
Read more
Source: Black Past
African Americans and Cuba's First Experiment in Tourism: The Joe Louis Commission in Post Revolutionary Havana, 1959-1960
In the article below University of California, Riverside historian Ralph Crowder describes this fascinating but little known attempt by Joe Louis and Fidel Castro to encourage middle class African American tourism to Cuba  in the first year of the new
Read more
Source: Black Past
Jun
6
1960
Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson is a famous American singer and songwriter, who had a successful career both as part of the group “The Miracles” and as a solo artist. He was born as William  Robinson, Jr. on February 19, 1940 to a poor family in Detroit. His mother died when he was very young so he was
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Feb
19
1940
United Black Front (UBF) or Black United Front (BUF)
The United Black Front (also known as the Black United Front) was created in the late 1960s as a coalition of 50 black power organizations seeking to address four major objectives: the elimination of white oppression, increased economic and political power for blacks, better education and social
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Boston Metropolitan Chapter
Sep
11
1969
Gibson, Kenneth A. (1931- )
Kenneth Allen Gibson, the first African American mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was born in 1931 in the town of Enterprise, Alabama.  He graduated from high school in Enterprise in 1950 and joined the U.S. Army as a civil engineer.  He remained in the Army until 1958. After his discharge, he took
Read more
Source: Black Past
Weaver, Robert Clifton (1907-1997)
Robert C. Weaver was a noted economist and administrator. From 1966 through 1968, he was the first African American cabinet official, serving as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Weaver was born and raised in Washington D.C. From 1929 through 1934, he attended
Read more
Source: Black Past
African Americans in Medicine in the Civil War Era
Most Americans are now familiar with the contribution of nearly 300,000 black soldiers and sailors to the Union cause during the U.S. Civil War.  Less well known is the role of a dedicated group of black doctors and nurses in uniform who worked diligently to save lives and fight disease.  In
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAP) Boston Chapter
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was mainly a second baseman, though he also played at first and third… The Brooklyn Dodgers moved west and became the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 1957 season… Jackie Robinson attended UCLA, where he lettered in four sports: track, baseball, football and basketball… He served in
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
(1898) Alexander Crummell, “The Attitude of the American Mind Toward the Negro Intellect,”
? Alexander Crummells remarkable career spanned much of the 19th Century.  Before the Civil War Crummell had established his credentials as an abolitionist, educator and lecturer in England as well as the United States.  In the 1850s he was a member of the faculty of Liberia College.  After the war
Read more
Source: Black Past
Dec
28
1897
Beatrice Morrow Cannady and the Struggle for Civil Rights in Oregon, 1912-1936
In the article below, Kimberley Mangun, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at The University of Utah, describes how she “discovered” Beatrice Morrow Cannady, an editor who spent nearly 25 years advocating civil rights in Oregon. Cannady used her Portland-based
Read more
Source: Black Past
Aug
19
1974
Watt, Melvin Luther (1945- )
Carolina in the 20th century, Mel Watts is a current member of the United States House of Representatives. Watts was born on August 26, 1945 in the small community of Steele Creek in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and attended high school in Charlotte. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAP) Boston Chapter
Aug
26
1945
Barrow, Adama (1965- )
Adama Barrow is a Gambian politician and real estate developer who is the third and current president of Gambia. Barrow defeated Yahya Jammeh in the 2016 Gambian presidential election, but because the incumbent president initially refused to recognize the victory, Barrow was inaugurated at the
Read more
Source: Black Past
Raymond A. Pearson v. Donald G. Murray (1936)
January 15, 1936, Decided
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Jan
15
1936
(1869) John Willis Menard, “Speech Before the United States House of Representatives”
John Willis Menard, (1838-1893) was the first African American elected to Congress when on November 3, 1868 he received the majority of votes to fill the unexpired term of Louisiana Second District Congressman James Mann. On the strength of the vote Menard went to Washington to be seated. However
Read more
Source: Black Past
King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1929-1968)
One of the most visible advocates of nonviolence and direct action as methods of social change, Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. As the grandson of the Rev. A.D. Williams, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist church and a founder of Atlantas NAACP chapter, and the son
Read more
Source: Black Past
Second Baptist Church of Detroit (1836- )
The Second Baptist Church of Detroit, located in the Greektown district of downtown Detroit, is the oldest African American congregation in Michigan and, according to some sources, the
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by APEX Museum
Deion Sanders
A world-renowned sports athlete, professional and currently a TV show host, Deion Sanders was never meant to be mediocre at anything he set his eyes on. One of very few athletes to have ever professionally played football as well as baseball at the national level, Sanders’ marvelous athletic
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Sponsored by Intellitech
Aug
9
1967
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle, Washington (1886- )
Established in 1886 when Washington was still a territory, the First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Seattle, Washington is the state’s oldest black church.  Initially, members began by meeting in each other’s homes.  These meetings eventually led to the opening of a home based Sunday
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Diversity In Action
(1922) Wyatt Mordecai Johnson, “The Faith of the American Negro”
Wyatt Mordecai Johnson was born in Paris, Tennessee in 1890. A lifelong educator, Johnson held degrees from a number of institutions including a 1911 A.B. from Morehouse College and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Howard University. Three years after his graduation from Howard he became the first
Read more
Source: Black Past
Jul
19
1922
O.J. Simpson
Orenthal James Simpson better known as O. J. Simpson was born on July 9, 1947. He was an American football player and is now incarcerated for numerous felonies. Also known as “The Juice”, Simpson briefly acted in a couple of films and was a football broadcaster as well. One of his
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Jul
9
1947
Houston, Charles Hamilton (1895-1950)
Charles Hamilton Houston, a renowned civil rights attorney, was widely recognized as the architect of the civil rights strategy that led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision, Brown v. Board of Education.  He was also a mentor to Thurgood Marshall who successfully litigated the pivotal Brown
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) Boston Professional Chapter
Apr
22
1950
Stokes, Charles Moorehead (1903-1996)
Charles Moorehead Stokes, one of three sons of Rev. Norris Jefferson Stokes and Myrtle Garner Stokes, was born on February 1, 1903 in Pratt, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas Law School in 1931 and soon after opened his law practice in Pratt but later moved to Topeka to serve as an
Read more
Source: Black Past
Nov
25
1996
University of District of Columbia (1851- )
The University of District of Columbia was founded as a school for African American girls in 1851. The school was established by Myrtilla Miner and was initially called the Miner Normal School.  In 1879 it became part of the District of Columbia public school system. In 1873 the Washington Normal
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by APEX Museum
(1865) Henry Highland Garnet, “Let The Monster Perish”
On February 12, 1865, Rev. Henry Highland Garnet, a former slave and now pastor of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., became the first African American to speak in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. His sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 12, 1865 within days
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Boston Professional Chapter
Feb
12
1865
Cris Carter
Cris Carter is a notable African-American sports figure as he formerly played football in the National Football League. The football teams he used to play for include Philadelphia Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins. His most successful career years were with the Minnesota Vikings
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Sponsored by Museum of African American History in Massachusetts
Nov
25
1965
Dr. Samuel Kelly, Class of 1971: Soldier, Educator, Advocate.
For virtually all of the eight decades of his life, Dr. Samuel E. Kelly has been an advocate of education for its own sake and as a central strategy for improving the lives of African Americans. His awareness of the importance of education came early when his parents demanded careful attention to
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Scott, Tyree (1940-2003)
Tyree Scott was a Seattle civil rights and labor leader who opened the door to women and minority workers in the construction industry.  Scott was born in Hearne (Wharton County), Texas and before moving to Seattle in 1966, he served in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.  His father was
Read more
Source: Black Past
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is an American basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks NBA team. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 29, 1984 to Carmelo and Mary Iriarte. His father was Puerto Rican whereas his mother was African American. He had a difficult childhood growing up in
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Sponsored by Diversity In Action
May
29
1984
Bill Cosby
Actor / Comedian
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
Dec
29
2015
More from Black News Black Press | Los Angeles Sentinel | Los Angeles Sentinel | Black News
LOVE & BASKETBALL: 20TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL REUNION AND PANEL DISCUSSION — MAY 14 5:00 PM PT
L.A. Mayor Looks to Take Community ‘Behind the Scenes’ of Test Processing and COVID-19 Data Research
Stores Not Adhering to COVID-19 Health Officer Orders Over the Weekend; 162 out of 410 Were in Violation
A Cry From Mom and Mothers on Mothers Day
Soul Singer “No Pain No Gain” Betty Wright Has Passed Away at 66
Los Angeles County Sheriff Villanueva Subpoenaed Regarding COVID-19 Jail Policies
Little Richard, Flamboyant Rock ‘N’ Roll Pioneer, Dead at 87
Andre Harrell, Who Discovered P. Diddy and Founded Uptown Label, is Dead at 59
Mayor Eric Garcetti Relies on Business Experts to Map Out Safety Guidelines for each Industry During Recovery Stage
L.A. County’s First Step into Recovery; Thousands of Businesses Open for Curbside Pickup
Mayor Garcetti Announced DWP Will Not Shut Off Services Due to Non-Payment for the Rest of 2020; Rent Freeze Extended Another Year
L.A. Metro to Require Use of Face Coverings on Metro Transit System Beginning May 11
LOS ANGELES COUNTY GOLF COURSES AND TRAILS REOPEN SATURDAY, MAY 9; PARKS REMAIN OPEN MOTHER’S DAY, SUNDAY, MAY 10
L.A County Public Officials Create “Five-stage Recovery Roadmap” to Relax Safer at Home Order
Father, son charged with killing black man Ahmaud Arbery
Nurse Tierra Norman Helps Keep Pandemic Frontline Strong
Community Leaders Call for Investment in Crisis Assistance for Survivors of Crime  
AAFCA Statement on the Passing of Little Richard and Andre Harrell
Black Fact of the Day: May 12, 2020- Brought to you by Black365
Black Fact of the Day: May 13, 2020- Brought to you by Black365
Safer at Home Order Extended to July
WATCH: Strategy, Innovation & Community Support in Era of COVID-19
WATCH: BlackPressUSA LIVESTREAM – Accessing COVID-19 Testing & Availability
WATCH: NNPA’S Stacy Brown Interviews Cosby Spokesman, Andrew Wyatt on the Plea for Cosby’s Rele
WATCH: Stacy Brown interviews murder victim Ahmaud Arbery’s family attorney, Benjamin Crump
WATCH:#SaveLocalJournalism WEEK 3: THE #BLACKPRESSMATTERS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE
Reopen Los Angeles? Communities of Color Will Pay the Price, Says Wesson
New Safer at Home Order Issued Today; Director of Public Health Clarifies COVID-19 Recovery Misconceptions.
State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Major performs at the 2016 Taste of Soul Family Festival
WATCH: Student Athlete of the Week: Zsateau Bouyer
Seimone Augustus Starts New Chapter with Sparks
Honoring Our Mothers With Our Lives: Lessons of Love, Life and Struggle
R&B Icon, Betty Wright, Passes at 66
Civilian Oversight Commission Subpoena’s L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva
COVID-19 LOST ON THE FRONTLINES: He And His Wife Shared A Lust For Travel ― And A COVID Diagnosis
‘Good Golly, Miss Molly!’ Rock ’n’ Roll Icon, Little Richard, Passes at 87
California Black Newspapers Win Hundreds of Thousands in Facebook Grants
Compton United Offers Help To Residents During Pandemic
BHERC ‘OPERATION LOVE’ DELIVERS MOTHERS’S DAY JOY AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO SENIORS, HOMELESS AND SHELTERED MOMS IN LOS ANGELES AND WASHINTON, D.C.
Los Angeles Native Nathan Thornton Teaches SmarterKorean
COVID-19 Lost on the Frontlines: Even On ‘The Saddest Day … She Could Make You Laugh’
Combating HIV in the African American Community
FILM REVIEW: ‘Blue Story’
Community Activist and Sentinel Columnist Larry Aubry Dies
Black Fact of the Day: May 16, 2020- Brought to you by Black365
Los Angeles City Mayor Garcetti Announces 'All In for L.A.' County-Wide Campaign Encourages to Remain Resilient in the Response to COVID-19.
L.A. County Launches ‘WiFi Finder’ to Reduce Digital Divide During COVID-19.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW WIFI LOCATOR TOOL TO HELP RESIDENTS GET ONLINE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Assembly Caucus Chair Mike Gipson’s Statement on Governor Newsom’s May Revision Budget

Southern United States Facts

Spirituality Facts

Facts About Women

Politics Facts