People, Locations, Episodes

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 […]

M Street School Begins Classes

*M Street School is celebrated on this date in 1870. This high school was created in Washington, D.C. when the city’s dual public school system was established. Initially, Black and white schools were essentially equal. M Street High School initially began as the Preparatory High School for Negro Youth when Congress established it, and “Originally, […]

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 […]

Benedict College (South Carolina) is Established

On this date in 1870, Benedict College was established in Columbia, S.C, one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.

Allen University (South Carolina) is Founded

The founding in 1870 of Allen University in South Carolina is celebrated on this date. Allen University is one of more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States.

Established by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Allen University is the oldest historically Black university in South Carolina. African Americans founded it with the express purpose of educating African Americans. It is a Christian Liberal Arts institution of higher education and has an illustrious history.

Charles Seifert, Historian born

On this date we celebrate the birth of Charles Seifert in 1871. He was an African American historian of African and African American history who was especially influential in the black arts community.

Edward C. Williams, Librarian born

*Edward Williams was born on this date in 1871. He was a Black librarian and educator. Edward Christopher Williams was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was the only son of an interracial marriage between Daniel Williams and Mary (Kilary) Williams of Tipperary, Ireland. He received his primary and secondary education from the public schools of […]

Alcorn State University is Founded

On this date we mark the founding of Alcorn State University in 1871. It is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in America.

Miles V. Lynk, Physician and Author born.

*Miles V. Lynk was born on this date in 1871. He was a Black physician, author, and activist for science, specifically for medical doctors. Miles Vandahurst Lynk was born near Brownsville, Tennessee. He was named after two bishops, William Henry Miles and Richard H. Vandahurst, of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Lynk […]

Joseph S. Clark, Educator born

*Joseph Clark was born on this date in 1871. He was a Black administrator and educator. Joseph Samuel Clark was born in Sparta, an unincorporated town in Bienville Parish, LA, in 1871 to Philip and Jane Clark.   He studied at Coleman, Bishop College, and Leland College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1901. He […]

Selena Sloan Butler, Georgia Educator born

Selena Sloan Butler was born on this date in 1872. She was an African American educator and community leader.

William H. Davis, Government Administrator born.

*William H. Davis was born on this date in 1872. He was a Black educator, pharmacist, and American government official. William Henry Davis was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to former slaves Jerry and Susan Davis. He graduated from Louisville Colored High School in June 1888 at 16, second in his class of eighteen students. Davis […]

Bethune Cookman Institute is Founded

*The creation of Cookman Institute in 1872 is celebrated on this date. This was one of the first schools for Blacks that preceded America’s many Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Elizabeth Wright, Educator, and Administrator born

*On this date in 1872, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright. She was a Black educator and administrator. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was born in rural Talbotton, Georgia. Her father, John Wesley Wright, was an African American carpenter. Her mother, Virginia Rolfe, was a Native American Cherokee woman. Wright went to a school held in a church basement. In 1888, she attended Tuskegee Institute as a night […]