People, Locations, Episodes

O. W. Gurley, Teacher and Businessman born

*O. W. Gurley, a black teacher and businessman, was born on this date in 1868.  Ottowa W. Gurley was born in Huntsville, Alabama, to John and Rosanna Gurley, formerly enslaved persons, and grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After attending public schools and self-educating, he worked as a teacher and in the postal service. Gurley […]

The North Carolina School for the Colored Deaf is Founded

*On this date, in 1869, the North Carolina School for the Colored Deaf was founded. This state-supported residential school for deaf children was established in 1894 in Morganton, North Carolina. In 1845, W.D. Cooke was hired. The school remained open during the American Civil War but later suffered under the incompetent leadership of political appointees. […]

Ida Elizabeth Asbury, Musician, and Teacher born

*Ida Elizabeth Asbury was born this date in 1869. She was an African American musician and teacher.

Minnie Cox, Teacher, and Administrator born

*The birth of Minnie Cox in 1869 is celebrated on this date. She was an African American teacher, and postal administrator.

Harriett Gibbs-Marshall, Pianist, and Educator born

*Harriett Gibbs Marshall was born on this date in 1869. She was an African American concert pianist, author, and educator.

Claflin University is Founded

*On this date in 1869, we celebrate the founding of Claflin University, a private American Historically Black University (HBCU).   Claflin was founded by Methodist missionaries who freed slaves to take their rightful places as full American citizens. Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, an act by the South Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 1872, designated the South Carolina State Agricultural […]

Dillard University is Founded

On this date in 1869, Dillard University was founded. Dillard is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.

Tougaloo College is Founded

The founding of Tougaloo College in 1869 is celebrated on this date. It is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.

Leland College is Founded

*The founding of Leland College is celebrated on this date in 1870. A Historical Black College and University (HBCU) was established as a college for Blacks in New Orleans, Louisiana, yet was open to all races.   It was founded with support from the New York-based Baptist Free Mission Society.   Leland University opened as a coed school, borrowing its education […]

Lulu Vere Childers, Classic Vocalist born

*The birth of Lulu Vere Childers in 1870 is celebrated on this date. She was an African American classic vocalist and educator.

She was born in Dry Ridge, KY. She studied voice at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she earned her B. A. degree in Music in 1896. She was a teacher at Knoxville College in that same year and joined the faculty of Howard University in 1905. She continued to perform, singing contralto in a 1908 concert organized by E. Azalia Hackley at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.

Thomas Blue, Librarian, and Minister born

The 1870 birth of Reverend Thomas F. Blue is celebrated on this date. He was an African American minister, educator, administrator, and librarian.

The son of former slaves, Blue was born in Farmville, Virginia. He graduated from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in 1888. He taught in Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1898 from Richmond Theological Seminary. Around the turn of the last century, he was a secretary of the YMCA, serving Spanish-American War soldiers, moving to Louisville in the same capacity from 1899 to 1905.

Thomas W. Talley, Chemist born

*Thomas W. Talley was born on this date in 1870.  He was a chemist, poetry collector, and professor.  Thomas W. Talley was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He was one of eight children born to former slaves Charles Washington and Lucinda Talley.  Talley attended public school for six years, followed by high school and college at […]

Dunbar H.S., (Washington D.C.) Opens

*On this date in 1870, we affirm the opening of (Paul Laurence) Dunbar High School.   Dunbar High School is a public secondary school in Washington, D.C., United States.   Originally named the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth from 1891 to 1916, it became M Street High School. The school was founded as an educational mission at the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian […]

The Barber-Scotia Seminary Opens

*On this date in 1870, Barber-Scotia Seminary was chartered by the State of North Carolina. This was a learning institution for Black girls.

Carrie Thomas Jordan, Educator born

*Carrie Thomas Jordan was born on this date in 1870.  She was a Black educator and activist.             Early life Carrie J. Thomas was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and the eldest of 11 children was born to Lawrence Thomas and Mary Green Tinsley Thomas. Her father was a preacher who pastored at Mount Zion AME […]