People, Locations, Episodes

Alma Thomas, Artist, and Instructor born

*On this date in 1891, Alma Thomas was born. She was an African American Painter and instructor.

From Columbus, Georgia, Thomas moved to Washington as a young girl. In 1924 she became the first graduate of the art department of Howard University and ten years later received an M. A. from Columbia University. She taught art at Shaw Junior High School in the nations capitol for thirty-six years until she retired in 1960 to devote her energies to painting. During her long tenure at Shaw, Thomas was a dedicated and imaginative teacher.

Charles Wesley, Black Studies Educator born

*This date marks the birth of Charles Harris Wesley in 1891. He was an African American historian, educator, and minister who was an early proponent of African American studies.

Byron Armstrong, Educator born

*Byron Armstrong was born on this date in 1892. He was a Black scholar, educator, and administrator. Byron Kenneth Armstrong was born in Westfield, Indiana, in 1892. He attended Howard University in 1909, where he met Elder Watson Diggs. At the end of the Spring term of 1910, Armstrong visited his cousin, Irven Armstrong, at Indiana University. […]

Winston-Salem State University Begins Classes

*Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) was founded on this date in 1892. It is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.   WSSU began as the Slater Industrial Academy by Simon Green Atkins in Winston Salem, N.C. Atkins had an audacious vision to create an institution where every student would meet the challenges of the […]

Mary Holmes College is Founded

On this date’s Registry, we celebrate the founding of Mary Holmes College in 1892. It is one of over 100 Historical Black Colleges and University in America.

Lillian Morris LeMon, Pianist, and Educator born

*Lillian Morris LeMon was born on this date in 1894. She was a Black pianist, music teacher, and administrator. Born Lillian Morris in Louisville, KY, her parents were William and Ada. Like many Blacks, the Morris went north in the early 20th century with the great migration, arriving in Indianapolis by 1902. She graduated from […]

Mary Dawson, Opera Singer, and Teacher born

*On this date in 1894, Mary Dawson was born. She was an African American musician, administrator, and teacher and the founding director of the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC).

William Hansberry, Educator born

*William Hansberry was born on this date in 1894. He was an African American educator and scholar.

Elizabeth Mossell Anderson, Educator born

*Elizabeth Mossell Anderson was born on this date in 1894.  She was a Black educator and administrator. Born in Philadelphia, PA., Elizabeth Mossell was the daughter of Aaron Mossell and Mary Louisa Tanner. Mossell was Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander’s elder sister; she was called variously “Beth,” “Babs,” or “Babo.” Mossell graduated from M Street High School (now Dunbar […]

Texas College Begins Classes

*The founding of Texas College in 1894 is celebrated on this date. One of over 100 historically Black colleges and universities, Texas College is located in Tyler, Texas, 100 miles west of Dallas and 90 miles east of Shreveport.

The Longview Negro High School Begins Classes

*Longview Negro High School began classes on this date in 1874.  This was one of the earliest Schools for blacks in Texas.  Longview, Texas, was founded in 1870 when one hundred acres of land were deeded to the Southern Pacific Railroad.  Initially, this was for all grades except high school, where pupils had to pay. […]

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 […]

E. Franklin Frazier, Sociologist born

On this date in 1894, E. Franklin Frazier was born. He was an African American sociologist.

Born in Baltimore, Md., Edward Franklin Frazier received his A. B. from Howard University in 1916 and his A. M. in sociology from Clark University in 1920. After he was awarded a fellowship to the New York School of Social Work (1920-21), he accepted an American-Scandinavian Foundation grant to study folk high schools and the Cooperative Movement in Denmark from 1921-22.

Cleveland Abbott, Athlete, and Teacher born

*Cleveland Abbott was born on this date in 1894. He was a Black football player, coach, and educator. Cleveland Leigh “Cleve” Abbott was born in Yankton, South Dakota., one of seven children to Albert Abbott and Mollie Brown Abbott. Abbott attended and graduated from high school 1908-1912 in Watertown, South Dakota. He was a multi-sport […]

Bluefield State College is Founded

*This date in 1895 marks the founding of Bluefield State College.

One of over 100 historically black colleges and universities in America, it was established as a Black teachers college by an act of the West Virginia Legislature. In February of that year, Senator William M. Mahood sponsored the bill.