Hazel Ingram made headlines last year after working 60-plus years at New York’s Douglas Elliman offices on Madison Avenue as a cleaner. Ms. Ingram is back in the news again after she was named as part of New York’s Electoral College body in this year’s presidential election. Ingram, 93, was named an elector earlier this […]
The C. R. Patterson & Sons Company was the first Black-owned automobile manufacturer in the United States. The company was initially began by a former slave and his eldest son took the family business to greater heights in the early 20th Century. Charles Richard Patterson was a former slave who escaped captivity in Virginia, then […]
The Desire Projects were a notorious housing development in New Orleans’ 9th Ward, was considered the worst in the state. The projects were the site of a large shootout between Black Panthers and the police that took place on this day in 1970, leading to tensions that remained long after the standoff. Longtime Louisiana activist […]
Dr. Mae C. Jemison made history on this day in 1992 by becoming the first woman of color to travel to space. Dr. Jemison took her lone flight to the stars aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour before moving on to a stellar career in education. Mae Carol Jemison was born October 17, 1956 in Decatur, […]
There are very few Black horror movies that still have relevance in today’s pop culture, including the ’70’s cult classic Blacula and the 90’s film, Tales From The Hood. In 1974, the film Abby became a bit of a hit before it was taken out of theaters for being an essential copy of the 1973 […]
The early 20th Century gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance, rendering the New York borough the epicenter of Black arts and entertainment. Around the same time in San Diego, California, a trio of Black business owners tried to replicate that same energy with the opening of the Hotel Douglas and the Creole Palace. The hotel […]
Lee Roy Young Jr. grew up in Texas hoping to join the elite Rangers Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Young’s boyhood dream came true on this day in 1988 when he was sworn in as a Texas Ranger. Young was born January 8, 1947 in Del Rio, Texas. Raised by his grandparents […]
The hair and fashion industry can boast of several innovators, including Madame C.J. Walker, among others. Christina M. Jenkins is one of those great minds who is largely credited for creating the hair weaving process. Christina Mae Thomas was born Christmas Day in 1920, although there are conflicting dates regarding her day of birth. She […]
The late John H. Johnson was the founder of the Johnson Publishing Company, the largest Black-owned firm of its kind in the United States. Johnson, who dabbled in other ventures beyond publications, is also the first African-American to land on the Forbes 400 list. John Harold Johnson was born in rural Arkansas City, Ark. on January […]
Guion “Guy” Bluford made his dreams of flying among the stars a reality on this day in 1983, becoming the first African-American astronaut in space. Bluford logged well over 600 hours in space before retiring, and still managed to accomplish goals even beyond his historic achievement. Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. was born November 22, 1942 […]
Malvin R. Goode was a pioneer in broadcast journalism, becoming the first African-American news correspondent for a major television network on this day in 1962. Goode arrived at the pinnacle of his career later in life, but his accomplishment serves as a testament to the work ethic he developed in the steel mills of Pittsburgh. […]
Floyd Norman was the first Black animator hired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios, a legacy that will remain cemented in time. Norman is the subject of a new documentary that airs this weekend in Hollywood, and reveals little-known details about the animator’s private life. Norman was born June 22, 1935 in Santa Barbara, Calif., […]
