People, Locations, Episodes

Oba Adefunmi, Spiritual Leader born

*Oba Efuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi, born on this date in 1928, was a Black priest (spiritual leader), historian, and activist.   Walter Eugene King was born in Detroit, Michigan. King had been baptized at the age of 12. He left the Baptist faith at age 16, became interested in African culture, and began African studies.  At age 20, King traveled to Haiti in 1954 to […]

The Dixie Hummingbirds, Gospel Group is Formed

The founding of the Dixie Hummingbirds in 1928 is celebrated on this date. They are an African American Gospel singing group.

Martin Luther King Jr., Minister, and Visionary born

This date marks the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1929. He was an African American minister and activist.

Israel Dresner, Rabbi, and Activist born

*Israel Dresner was born on this date in 1929. He was a white Jewish-American Reform rabbi and global activist. Israel Seymour Dresner was born on the Lower East Side of New York City. He was raised in Brooklyn, attending an Orthodox yeshiva (day school). At the age of 13, he joined Habonim Dror, a Labor […]

Barbara Harris, Bishop born

On this date in 1930, Barbara Harris, the first woman ordained a bishop in the Anglican Communion, was born.

Rastafarianism, a story

*Rastafarianism is affirmed on this date in 1930.  Also known as Rastafari and the Rastafari movement, it is a religion developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion. No central authority controls the movement, and much diversity exists among practitioners, […]

The Nation Of Islam is Founded

On this date in1930, E. Muhammad established the Nation of Islam (NOI).

Founded in Detroit, the NOI (at the time) started with 250,000 thousand Blacks. Earlier that year (on July 4) Master W. Fard Muhammad appeared in that city. He preached that God is one, and it was now time for Blacks to return to the religion of their ancestors, Islam.

The Blind Boys From Alabama, Gospel Singers, Formed

On this date we celebrate the beginning of Clarence Fountain and The Blind Boys of Alabama in 1931. They are a gospel singing group who’ve been singing God’s music for over 60 years.

Della Reese, Entertainer, and Minister born

*Della Reese was born this date in 1931. She is an African American actress, singer, television star and ordained minister.

Wendell Whalum, Choral Musician born

*Wendell P. Whalum was born on this date in 1931. He was an African American gospel musician, educator and minister.

Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop born

Desmond Tutu was born on this date in 1931. He is a Black South African priest and activist.

Born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal, Desmond Mpilo Tutu and his family moved to Johannesburg when he was 12 years old. Although he wanted to become a physician, his family could not afford the cost and he followed his father’s footsteps into teaching. In 1951, Tutu studied at the Pretoria Bantu Normal College and went on to teach at Johannesburg Bantu High School, where he remained until 1957.

New Bethel Baptist Church (Detroit), a story

*New Bethel Baptist Church was founded on this date in 1932. They are one of the oldest black churches in Detroit, Michigan.  In its early years, V. L. Bolton was the first pastor, followed by Horatius “H.H.” Coleman, N. H. Armstrong, and William E. Ramsey. In May 1946, Rev. C. L. Franklin became the pastor. When Rev. Franklin […]

Roosevelt Grier, Athlete, and Minister born

*Roosevelt Grier was born on this date in 1932.  He is a Black actor, singer, minister, and former professional football player.   Born in Cuthbert, Georgia, as one of twelve children, Grier was named after Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  He played high school football at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, New Jersey, graduating in 1951. […]

James Cleveland, Gospel Vocalist born

James Cleveland was born on this date in 1932. He was an African American minister, composer, and gospel vocalist.

Born in Chicago, Cleveland’s life calling began at that city’s Pilgrim Baptist Church. Mahalia Jackson lived on Cleveland’s paper route and influenced his career. In 1953, he joined a gospel group called the Caravans as pianist, arranger, and occasional singer. They had two successful recordings, “The Solid Rock” and “Old Time Religion.” Between 1956 and 1960, Cleveland wrote an average of three songs a week.

Walter Fauntroy, Pastor, and Activist born

*Walter Fauntroy was born on this date in 1933. He is a Black politician, pastor, and civil rights, activist. The fourth of seven children, Walter Edward Fauntroy, was born and raised in Washington, D.C. His mother, Ethel (Vines) Fauntroy, was a homemaker. His father, William Thomas Fauntroy, Sr., was a clerk in the U.S. Patent […]