People, Locations, Episodes

Charlemae Rollins, Educator born

Charlemae Hill Rollins was born on this date in 1897. She was an African American library administrator and educator.

Sylvanie Williams, Educator, and Clubwoman born

*Sylvanie Francoz Williams was born on this date in 1847. She was a Black educator and club woman. Born Sylvanie Francoz in Opelousas, LA, she was the daughter of François Francoz and Sarah Francoz. Her birth date varies in sources, from 1847 to 1855; her obituary places her birthdate around 1849.   She trained as a teacher […]

The St. Francis de Sales School Opens

*On this date in 1897, the St. Francis de Sales School was established. Located in Powhatan County, Virginia, it was built to educate young Black and Indigenous girls in America. The school was located near the James River and the Appomattox River on the Belmead plantation. Katharine Drexel opened St. Francis with a curriculum focused on academics and […]

Voorhees College is Founded

*Voorhees College was founded on this date in 1897. It is a private Historically Black College (HBCU) in Denmark, South Carolina. It is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.   In 1897, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright founded the Denmark Industrial School for Blacks. It is located in a rural area and […]

Melvin Tolson, Poet, and Educator born

Melvin Tolson was born on this date in 1898. He was an African American writer, educator, politician, and poet.

St. Philip’s College, (Texas) Begins Classes

*St. Philip’s College started classes on this date in 1898. This is a public historically black community college in San Antonio, Texas. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is part of the Alamo Colleges District. The College serves over 11,000 students in over 70 academic and technical disciplines. It is on […]

Septima P. Clark, Educator, and Activist born

On this date in 1898, Septima P. Clark was born. She was an African American educator and civil rights activist in Charleston, S.C.

Septima Poinsette’s mother Victoria was raised in Haiti and her father Peter was a former slave. They shaped and influenced her basic values. Among the most important were a willingness to share one’s gifts, and another to not forget there was something redeeming in everyone. Her education came from those who insisted on performance and hard work with pride.

Dr. Chancellor Williams, Historian, and Author born

Dr. Chancellor Williams was born on this date in 1898. He was an African American historian and author.

Williams was born in Bennettsville, S.C. His father had been a former slave, and his mother had been a cook, a nurse, and an evangelist. Williams’ curiosity, about racial equality and cultural struggles began as early as the fifth grade.

He received his undergraduate degree in education and master of arts degree in history from Howard University. He studied abroad serving as a visiting research scholar at the University of Oxford in England and at the University of London.

Daniel Payne College is Founded

*Daniel Payne College is celebrated on this date in 1899. Also known as the Payne Institute, Payne University, and Greater Payne University, it was a Historically Black College (HBCU).  Located in Birmingham, Alabama, it functioned until 1979 and was associated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church). The college was named in honor of […]

Anna Hedgeman, Activist, and Politician born

On this date in 1899, Anna Arnold Hedgeman was born. She was an African American politician and activist.

The St. Emma Military Academy Opens

*The St. Emma Military Academy is celebrated on this date in 1899. This Black military school was founded during American Reconstruction in Powhatan County, Virginia. Also known as St. Emma’s Military Academy, it was a school for Black youths in Powhatan, Virginia. It was founded as the St. Emma’s Industrial and Agricultural Institute. The school was located […]

Helen Webb Harris, Educator, and Administrator born

*Helen Webb Harris was born on this date in 1899.  She was a Black educator, sports enthusiast, playwright, and administrator.   Born in Washington, DC, she was one of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Elias Webb. She graduated from the old M Street High School and the old Miner Normal School. She earned a bachelor’s degree […]

Roger A. Young, Zoologist born

The birth of Roger Arliner Young in 1899 is celebrated on this date. She was an African American Zoologist. Zoology is the biological discipline which involves the study of animals.

The Sturgis One-Room School Opens

*The opening of the Sturgis One-Room School is celebrated on this date in 1900. Originally located on property owned by William T. Sturgis, this was an assembly built as a one-room school for Black Americans.

The first graduating class was in the year 1921, and the school was closed in 1937 having the name of McMillan School. William Sturgis lived there after the school closed; later the building was no longer occupied or used. It was moved from its original location, approximately seven miles south of Pocomoke City near Brantley Road, to the corner of Front and Willow Streets.

Vivian Marbury, Educator born.

*Vivian Marbury was born on this date in 1900. She was a Black teacher and sorority administrator. Born in Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, Vivian Irene White attended Abram C. Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal School (teachers prep school). White received a B.S. from Butler University and a master’s from Columbia University in New […]