People, Locations, Episodes

Afro Mexicans, a story

*Afro Mexicans, also known as Black Mexicans, were first celebrated on this date in 1500. They have a predominant heritage from Sub-Saharan Africa.   As a single community, Afro Mexicans include individuals descended from Black slaves brought to Mexico during the Middle Passage era in the transatlantic African slave trade, as well as others of […]

New Philadelphia, Illinois is Founded

*New Philadelphia, Illinois, is celebrated on this date in 1836. This is one of many original Black Town sites in America. The now-vanished town of “New Philadelphia,” Illinois, is located near Barry, in Pike County.   It was the first town in the United States to be platted and registered by a Black man before the American Civil War. The founder, Free […]

Miriam Benjamin, Inventor, and Teacher born

*Miriam E. Benjamin was born on this date in 1861. She was a Black school teacher, composer, and inventor.   Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin was born a free black woman in Charleston, South Carolina, the oldest of five children of Francis Benjamin and Eliza (Hopkins) Benjamin. In 1873, the Benjamin family moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she attended high school. She moved to Washington, […]

Carlotta Stewart Lai, Teacher and Principal born

*Carlotta Stewart Lai was born on this date in 1881. She was a Black educator and administrator. Carlotta Stewart was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Thomas McCants Stewart and Charlotte L. Harris Stewart. She was the third child and the only daughter, and she attended public school in Brooklyn. Her brothers, McCants Stewart and […]

Nadia Boulanger, Music Teacher born

*Nadia Boulanger was born on September 16, 1887. She was a white French music teacher, conductor, and composer. From a musical family, from the age of seven, Juliette Nadia Boulanger studied in preparation for her Conservatoire entrance exams, sitting in on their classes and having private lessons with their teachers. She achieved early honors as […]

Claude Barnett, Journalist born

*On this date in 1889, Claude Barnett was born. He was an African American journalist and entrepreneur.

Hector Hyppolite, Haitian Artist born

*Hector Hyppolite was born on this date 1894. He was a African Haitian painter.

George McLaurin, Educator born

*George W. McLaurin was born on this date in 1894.  He was a Black educator.   His family moved to Oklahoma in 1910, and he received his BA from Langston University.  After marriage, he and his wife, Peninah McLaurin, sent their children out of state when they were 13 to complete their educations.  McLaurin received his master’s degree from the University […]

Lester Granger, Urban League Administrator born

*Lester Granger was born on this date in 1896. He was an African American civic leader.

Cozelle Breedlove, Activist and Youth Mentor born

*Cozelle Breedlove was born on this date in 1920. He was an African American community program director, teacher, and mentor. Born and raised on the North side of Minneapolis Cozy Breedlove always considered himself a product of the Phyllis Wheatley House, which was a community center for Black children to participate in sports, cultural and educational events.

Jon Hendricks, Jazz Vocalist born

*On this date in 1921, Jon Hendricks was born. He is an African American singer and writer.

B. B. King, Blues Musician born

*B. B. King was born on this date in 1925. He was an African American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter.

Riley B. King was born to a poor family of sharecroppers living on the Mississippi Delta, near the town of Itta Bene, Miss. King’s home life was very unstable and as a child he picked cotton to help with the family income. But King’s mother brought him to church regularly, where he was first exposed to gospel music; he even learned some basic guitar skills from his preacher.

Frente Negra Brasileira is Formed

*On this date, in 1931, Frente Negra Brasileira was formed. Translated to English, the Black Brazilian Front was part of the Black Movement of Brazil and was Brazil’s first Black political party.   It was formed in 1931 and was active until the November 10, 1937, suspension of political parties by the then president, Getúlio Vargas. Arlindo Veiga dos Santos organized the […]

Eva M. Clayton, Politician born

*Eva Clayton was born on this date in 1934. She is an African American politician (retired) and administrator.

Elgin Baylor, Basketball Player, and Coach born

*Elgin Baylor was born on this date in 1934. He was a Black professional basketball player, coach, and executive. Elgin Gay Baylor was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Uzziel (Lewis) and John Wesley Baylor. He began playing basketball when he was 14. Although he grew up near a D.C. city recreation center, Blacks […]