You may also like

Child, Julia
Child, Julia, 1912–2004, American cooking teacher, author, and television personality, b. Pasadena, Calif., as Julia Carolyn McWilliams. In the early 1940s both she and her husband-to-be, Paul Child, served in the Office of Strategic Services in Washington, D.C., Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
Reynolds, Melvin Jay “Mel” (1952- )
Politician, scholar and professor, Mel Reynolds was born on January 8, 1952, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, to parents J.J. and Essie May Reynolds.  Reynolds attended John Marshall High School on the Westside of Chicago where he developed impressive academic credentials.  He then enrolled in Chicago
Read more
Source: Black Past
Oct
1
1995
Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor was a popular American stand-up comedian and one of the most influential entertainers of his time. He was born on December 1, 1940, in Peoria, Illinois. He had a troubled childhood; his mother worked as a prostitute and his father was a bartender, boxer and World War veteran. His
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Sponsored by National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Boston Professional Chapter
Dec
1
1940
Dominique Dawes
One of the most renowned names in the history of American gymnastics, Dominique Dawes was born in November 20, 1976 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Dawes recognized her passion for gymnastics at an early age of 6 years and attended lessons with Kelli Hill who remained her coach for the rest of
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Nov
20
1976
Williams, Camilla (1919-2012)
Professional opera singer Camilla Williams was born October 18, 1919 in Danville, Virginia to Fannie Carey Williams and Cornelius Booker Williams. The youngest of four siblings, Williams began singing at a young age and was performing at her local church by age eight. At age 12, she began taking
Read more
Source: Black Past
Jan
29
2012
Brueggergosman, Measha (1977- )
Measha Brueggergosman, Canada’s most recognizable young opera star, is working hard to bring classical music to a popular audience.  The Canadian soprano has emerged as one of the most magnificent performers and vibrant personalities of the day. She is critically acclaimed by the international
Read more
Source: Black Past
Jun
28
1977
Basketball star Moses "The Mailman" Malone born
National Basketball Association star, Moses The Mailman Malone is born in Petersburg, Virginia.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Prospanica Boston Professional Chapter
Mar
23
1954
Track star John Carlos born
Olympic track and field star John Carlos born in New York City. John Carlos would become famous at the 1968 Olympic Summer Games for raising a black gloved fist during the playing of the American anthem.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
5
1945
Ashanti
Name at birth: Ashanti Douglas
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
Morial, Ernest Nathan (1929-1989)
Born in New Orleans, Ernest Morial grew up in the city’s Seventh Ward.  His father was a cigar maker and his mother was a seamstress.  Graduating from Xavier University, a historically black Catholic institution, he became the first African American to receive a law degree from Louisiana State
Read more
Source: Black Past
Quincy Jones wins an Emmy for musical composition for the miniseries Roots. It
Quincy Jones wins an Emmy for musical composition for the miniseries Roots. It is one of nine Emmys for the series, an unprecedented number
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sep
11
1977
The Southern Negro Youth Congress: A Participant Recalls Its Past
In the article below historian Gwendolyn Midlo Hall recounts her role as a founder of the New Orleans Youth Congress and the early years of the Southern Negro Youth Congress.  This account is part of her soon to be published
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by New York University
Nov
15
1974
Josephine Baker
Born: 6/3/1906 St. Louis, MissouriDied: 4/12/1975 Paris, FranceJosephine Baker was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress who came to be known in various circles as the Black Pearl, Bronze Venus and even the Creole Goddess. Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri,Baker was
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Barack Obama
Best Known
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denis Jones also known as Lil’ Kim is a New Yorker by heart. She was born to the great city in 1974 and has been raised in Brooklyn. As a young teen, she was thrown out on the curb by her father where she lived on the streets and sometimes with her friends. Lil’ Kim found her solace in
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Knights of St. Peter Claver (1909- )
The Knights of Peter Claver organization was founded in 1909 in Mobile, Alabama. It is the largest African American Catholic lay organization in the United States. The organization was founded by the Josephites, a Catholic order whose mission was to serve Catholic African Americans. Josephite
Read more
Source: Black Past
Oprah Winfrey
Born: 1/29/1954 Kosciusko, MississippiOprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Ota Benga, African native kept in zoo, kills self
An African native once kept in a Bronx zoo, Ota Benga, commits suicide. In 1906 the crowds thronged the monkey house exhibit at the Bronx Zoo (New York Zoological Park). Here were mans evolutionary ancestors - monkeys, chimpanzees, a gorilla named Dinah, an orangutan named Dohung and a African of
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Intellitech
Mar
20
1916
Robert Guillaume wins an Emmy for best actor in a comedy series for Soap
Robert Guillaume wins an Emmy for best actor in a comedy series for Soap
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA)
Sep
9
1979
United Negro College Fund (1944– )
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was founded on April 25, 1944 by Frederick Patterson, President of the Tuskegee Institute, and Mary McLeod Bethune, an advisor to the Franklin Roosevelt Administration, to provide a steady, consistent stream of funding to 27 financially struggling small
Read more
Source: Black Past
Apr
25
1944
Owens, Jesse
Owens, Jesse, 1913–80, U.S. track star, b. Alabama. He was also called John Cleveland Owens, although his original name was said to be simply J. C. Owens. After his family moved to Cleveland he excelled at track and field events in high school. He won the broad-jump titles at the outdoor
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
Debbie Allen, dancer/producer born
Debbie Allen DANCER, ACTRESS, PRODUCER Birthplace: Houston, Texas Debbie has starred in such popular television programs series such as Fame and A Different World. She recently collaborated with movie producer, Steven Spielberg to produce the powerful movie Amistad.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
16
1950
Albany State University (1903- )
Albany State University is a historically black university in Albany, Georgia. It was founded in 1903 by Joseph Winthrop Holley, a native of South Carolina.  This son of former slaves was inspired by the writings of W.E.B. DuBois to try to improve conditions for the South’s African American
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by New York University
Bowie State University (1865- )
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is Maryland’s oldest historically black university, and one of the ten oldest African American institutions of higher education in the United States.  It is also one of eleven senior colleges and universities in the University of Maryland system.  The
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Eastern Bank
DeFunis v. Odegaard (1974)
Argued February
Read more
Source: Black Past
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby becomes the first African American to receive an Emmy for best actor in a dramatic series, for his role in I Spy
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
May
22
1966
Knoxville College (1875- )
Knoxville College was founded in 1875 as a missionary effort of the United Presbyterian Church of North America in order to promote religious, moral, and educational leadership among freed men and women. Located north of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, in the city’s Mechanicsville community, the
Read more
Source: Black Past
Delaware State University [Dover] (1891-- )
Delaware State University is a public historically black university with its main campus in Dover and two other campuses in Wilmington and Georgetown.  The school was established in 1891 as State College for Colored Students after passage of the Morrill Act of 1890 which gave land-grants to
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by APEX Museum
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
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Boston Professional Chapter
Mar
25
1991
Singer/television & stage star Nell Carter was born today
Singer/television & stage star Nell Carter was born today
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sep
13
0
More from Black Women's Lifestyle Guide, Black Love & Beauty Trends - Essence
Janet Mock Thinks Theres Room For Improvement In Todays Hollywood - Essence
Nikole Hannah-Jones And Colson Whitehead Win Pulitzer Prizes - Essence
Insecures Jéan Elie Talks Playing Ahmal And Black Gay Men Onscreen - Essence
Biden Releases Plan For Black America - Essence
Rihannas Fenty Line Is Having A Major Sale - Essence
As States Begin To Lift Restrictions, Few Americans Want Businesses Reopened: Poll - Essence
Security Guard Calvin Munerlyn Killed In Face Mask Dispute - Essence
HS Senior Roberta Hannah Gets Accepted Into All 8 Ivies - Essence
Ohio State Rep. Says Faces Are The Likeness Of God In Refusal To Wear Mask - Essence
Black Women And Problematic Men - Essence
Sheree Whitfield Says Her Son Kairo Is No Longer Pursuing Modeling
Oprah Winfrey to Host Virtual “Your Life in Focus” Wellness Tour
Supreme Court Begins Arguments On Subpoena Of Trump’s Financial Records
Phylicia Rashad Was In Drake’s ‘In My Feelings’ Video Thanks To Daughter Condola
‘American Soul’ Returns With Your Favorites Reimagined As 1970s Stars
Maxine Waters Loses Sister To COVID-19
Condola Rashad Responds After Issa Rae Reveals ‘Insecure’ Character Is Based On Her
‘You Were My Father for 30 Years,’ Diddy Said About Andre Harrell
Fauci To Warn Of ‘Needless Suffering And Death’ At Senate Hearing
Police Shooting Of EMT Worker Leaves Family Looking For Answers
5 Products That Will Restore Dry Hands
The Chic Kaftan All Your Favorite Celebrities Are Wearing
Kevin Hart, Omari Hardwick & More To Join President Obama For The #ShowMeYourWalk HBCU Virtual Graduation
Ahmaud Arbery’s Mother Would Support Death Penalty For Men Charged In Son’s Death
Twitter Rips Into Mitch McConnell For Calling Obama ‘Classless’
Pilot’s Brother Blames Passengers In Fatal Kobe Bryant Crash
Senate GOP Reject House Democrats’ $3 Trillion Coronavirus Bill Before Seeing It
Rihanna Releases A New Collection Of Fenty Eyewear
Madam’s CJ Walker’s Great-Granddaughter A’lelia Bundles Pans ‘Self Made’
Reginae Carter: The Queen of TikTok
Tracee Ellis Ross Launches PATTERN Hair Accessories
Family Of Teen Killed In Florida Shooting Retain Zimmerman Lawyer For Representation
Michael B. Jordan Talks ‘Owning His Space’ In Coach Ad
Switching To Natural Deodorant? You’ll Want To Read This First
AMBI And Cynthia Bailey Launch Contest For Models Of Color
Paul Manafort Released From Prison Amidst Pandemic
How To Do Makeup At Home For A Virtual Wedding
Tyler Perry Shares Safety Guidelines For Filming During COVID-19
Raven-Symoné Reveals She Hasn’t ‘Touched’ Her ‘Cosby Show’ Money
Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Warren’s Social Distancing Wedding In Washington D.C.
Stevie Wonder-Ful 70th Birthday Live Stream
HBCU Love: For Bakari Sellers’ Kids, The Only ‘School Choice’ Is An HBCU
Essence Virtual Wellness Summit-Superhero Syndrome
Essence Virtual Wellness Summit-Pouring Into Yourself
Essence Virtual Wellness Summit-Time to Find Yourself
Essence Virtual Wellness Summit-Future Has Always Been Uncertain
Essence Virtual Wellness Summit- Black Trauma
Essence x Chase | Love & Money | Setting Financial Goals (ADA)
Essence x Chase | Love & Money | Combining Incomes (ADA)
Essence x Chase | Love & Money | Budgeting (ADA)

Arts Facts

Sports Facts

Literature Facts

Lifestyle Facts

Literature Facts

African American Facts