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Race, Gender, Jazz & Local 493: Black Women Musicians in Seattle: 1920-1955
During its brief and rocky tenure from 1918 to 1924, pianist Gertrude Harvey Wright was one of four women in Seattle’s first black musicians’ union, the American Federation of Musicians’ Local 458.  Wright,  Virginia Hughes, a “Mrs. Austin,” and (Edythe) “Turnham,” all
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Source: Black Past
Baquet, Charles R., III (1941- )
Ambassador Charles R. Baquet III was born December 24, 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  He attended public schools in the city and in 1963 he earned his B.A. in history from Xavier University in New Orleans. In 1975, he earned his M.A. in public administration from the Maxwell School of Government
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Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Boston Professional Chapter
Mar
25
1991
Second annual report of the NAACP
Second annual report of the NAACP listed total receipts from May through December, 1911, of $10,317.43. Organization had local chapters in Chicago, Boston and New York.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by New York University
Jan
1
1912
Ailey, Alvin (1931-1989)
Alvin Ailey was born in Rodgers, Texas during the Great Depression. He overcame racism, poverty, and homophobia to become one of the most celebrated choreographers in American history. His single teenage mother Lula Ailey washed clothes, picked cotton, and worked in domestic service in various
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Source: Black Past
Colin Powell
Born: 4/5/937 Harlem, New YorkColin Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under U.S. President George W. Bush from 200 to 2005, the first African American to serve in that position. During
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Did You Know That In...
1780 - Two blacks aid in the capture of British spy, Major John Andre, in New York.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1780
Fullilove v. Klutznick (1980)
November 27, 1979, Argued
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Source: Black Past
Singer Leslie Uggams born
Singer Leslie Uggams, who made her singing debut with the Lawrence Welk Band, was born in New York city.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
25
1943
DeLarge, Robert Carlos (1842-1874)
Robert Carlos DeLarge was born a slave in Aiken, South Carolina on March 15, 1842.  Rare for that period, DeLarge graduated from Wood High school in Charleston and worked as a tailor and farmer before becoming involved in politics.  He served as an agent for the Freedman’s Bureau and helped
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Source: Black Past
James Weldon Johnson
James Weldon Johnson was a prominent African American leader born on June 17, 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was brought up in a liberal environment where his parents encouraged him to acquire an education and pursue his dreams. His mother taught him and his brother the works of classical
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Source: Black History Resources
Jun
26
1938
Slavery abolished in New York State
Slavery abolished in New York State.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) Boston Professional Chapter
Jul
4
1827
Organization for Afro-American Unity
Organization for Afro-American Unity founded in New York by Malcolm X.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
28
1964
Mercer, Mabel Alice Wadham (1900-1984)
Mabel Mercer was one of the most important jazz cabaret singers of the 20th Century. Her personal singing style emphasizing interpretation, diction, lyrics, and projection over vocal proficiency influenced numerous leading singers including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Nat
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Source: Black Past
Activist Faye Wattleton
Faye Wattleton, a rgeistered nurse and New York activist, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Wattleton served as president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America from 1978 to 1992.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Christo Rey New York High School
Jul
8
1943
Peter Marray Marshall of New York
Peter Marray Marshall of New York appointed to American Medical Associations House of Delegates.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
11
1949
Riot prevented Paul Robeson form singing
Riot prevented Paul Robeson form singing at the Lakeland picnic grounds near Peekskill, Weschester County, New York.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Pride Academy
Aug
28
1949
Willie Mays, born
Baseball great Willie Howard Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama. Mays played with both the New York and San Francisco Giants. He was National League batting champion four times and twice the leagues Most Valuable Player.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Pride Academy
May
6
1931
Baird, Harry (1931-2005)
The physical presence that black British actor Harry Baird brought to the movie screen was largely a consequence of the United Kingdom going through the birthing pain of racism during the 1950s and 1960s.  Born in Guyana, this premier black actor was no Paul Robeson, but Harry Baird carried with
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Source: Black Past
William "Bill" Richmond is taken by General Earl Percy,commander of the Britis
William Bill Richmond is taken by General Earl Percy, commander of the British forces occupying New York, to England to box against British soldiers.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1777
Born on this day Whoppi Goldberg
Born Caryn Johnson on November 13, 1955 in New York City, Goldberg began her long career when she was eight years old, performing with New Yorks Helena Rubenstein Childrens Theater. By virtue of her distinctive appearance and a persona that is both no-nonsense and empathic, Goldberg has emerged as
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
13
1955
Brown, Wesley (1927-2012)
Wesley Brown earned distinction in 1949 as the first African American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy.  Wesley Brown grew up in Washington, D.C. and attended Dunbar High School.  A “voracious reader,” Brown joined the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History
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Source: Black Past
The African American Experience in Italy, 1852 to 2013
In the following article longtime BlackPast.org contributor and San Diego State University Librarian Robert Fikes discusses African Americanemigrants to and visitors in
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Source: Black Past
Classical Conductor Dean Dixon born.
Classical Conductor Dean Dixon is born in 1915 in Harlem, NY. Fluent in Swedish, French and German, Dixon became one of Europes best known conductors after leaving the US in 1949. He conducted the Goteborg (Sweden) Symphony for 10 years before being named conductor for the Hessian Radio Symphony in
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
10
1915
Saddler, Joseph/Grandmaster Flash (1958 - )
Although he will more than likely be remembered best for releasing “The Message,” the first rap song to delve into social commentary about the plight of African Americans in the inner-city, Grandmaster Flash was also the original technological virtuoso of the early hip-hop movement to
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Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard born
Sugar Ray Leonard
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
17
1956
Death of Asa Philip Randolph (90), labor leader
Death of Asa Philip Randolph (90), labor leader and civil rights pioneer, in New York.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
16
1979
Katherine Dunham (1910-)
American dancer, choreographer, and scholar. She was a pioneer in the use of folk and ethnic choreography, and considered one of the founders of the anthropological dance movement. With Aida in 1963, she became the first Black to choreograph for the Metropolitan Opera in New York city.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sep
6
2001
Malcolm X born in Omaha, Nebraska
Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His mother, Louis Norton Little, was a homemaker occupied with the familys eight children. His father, Earl Little, was an outspoken Baptist minister and avid supporter of Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Earls civil
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
19
1925
Countee Cullen, born
Born in 1903 in New York City, Countee Cullen was raised in a Methodist
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Diversity In Action
May
30
1903
James McCune Smith, a physician and writer educatedin New York's African Free
James McCune Smith, a physician and writer educated in New Yorks African Free School and at the University of Glasglow in Scotland, begins to practice medicine in New York City and eventually opens a pharmacy there; he also conducts pioneer work in the scientific study of race.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Pride Academy
Jan
0
1837
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