People, Locations, Episodes

Angelbert Metoyer, Artist born.

*Angelbert Metoyer was born on this date in 1977. He is a Black Afrofuturism-themed artist. He is from Houston, Texas, and began his artistic career through Rick Lowe’s Project Row Houses in Houston. He held his first solo exhibition there in 1994. He moved to Atlanta to study drawing and painting at the Atlanta College […]

The Junior Black Academy of Arts, and Letters Begins

On this date in 1977, the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Inc. (JBAAL) was created.

It was formed by Curtis King with C. Eric Lincoln, John O. Killens, Margaret Walker Alexander, Frederick O’Neal, Jean Hutson, Romare Bearden, and Doris Saunders. Its home base was Dallas, Texas. The formation of JBAAL directly involves young and aspiring artists and scholars.

‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ Debuts on Stage

*On this date in 1978, Ain’t Misbehavin’ debuted on stage. This was a Black musical revue named after the song by Fats Waller (with Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf).    “Ain’t Misbehavin’” was also a book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr.  Thee shows music by various composers and lyricists as arranged and orchestrated by Luther Henderson. Ain’t Misbehavin’ opened in the Manhattan Theatre Club’s East 73rd Street cabaret. The cast […]

The Urban Bush Women (Dance Company) Begins

*The founding of the Urban Bush Women (UBW) is celebrated on this date in 1984. Jawole Willa Jo Zollar founded Brooklyn, New York, a non-profit and the only professional Black women’s dance company. The ensemble performs choreography by Zollar and other choreographers, often focusing on the experiences of women of African descent.  The company has […]

The Opera ‘Frederick Douglass’ debuts

*On this date in 1985, the world premiere of the opera ‘Frederick Douglass’ debuted. It is a full-length opera written and composed by Dorothy Rudd Moore. It is 180 minutes in duration and has three acts. The world premiere took place at the City College of New York’s Aaron Davis Hall. Opera Ebony commissioned the […]

Kendrick Lamar, Singer and Lyricist born.

*Kendrick Lamar was born on this date in 1987. He is a Black rapper and lyricist. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born in Compton, California. He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth “Kenny” Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver. Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago. As teenagers, […]

The Sphinx (Classical Music Organization) Begins

*The founding of the Sphinx Organization in 1998 is celebrated on this date. They are a national non-profit education organization whose vision is a world in which classical music reflects cultural diversity and plays a role in the everyday lives of youth.

The Boondocks (Sitcom) is Published

*On this date in 1999, the publication of The Boondocks is celebrated.  This is an African American adult animated sitcom.   Aaron McGruder created the Boondocks for the Cartoon Network’s late-night programming block, Adult Swim.  It is based on his comic strip, which is the same name.  The series premiered on November 6, 2005. The […]

Black History and Quilting, a story

*African American quilt history is celebrated on this date in 1800.   Today, the third Saturday in March, is National Quilting Day. Historic influences since the 17th century are the foundation of Black African cultural heritage in quilting.   West African weavers called this cloth by its original name, Nsaduaso.   In Ghana, Nsaduaso is also known […]