People, Locations, Episodes

William Montaque Cobb, Anthropologist born

*W. Montaque Cobb was born on this date in 1903. He was an African American educator, professor of anatomy best known for his research in physical anthropology, the growth and development of the African American, and aging in the adult skeleton.

Felton G. Clark, Educator born

*Felton G. Clark was born on this date in 1903. He was an African American educator and administrator.

Edward Allen Jones, Author and Diplomat born.

*The birth of Edward Allen Jones is celebrated on this date in 1903. He was a Black linguist, scholar, author, and diplomat. E.A. Jones was born to George and Carrie Jones of Indianola, Mississippi. In 1918, at age fifteen, he entered a prep academy and began studying Latin and Greek. Jones received his bachelor’s degree […]

Benjamin Quarles, Historian born

*Benjamin Quarles was born on this date in 1904. He was an African American historian.

From Boston, Massachusetts, the son of a subway porter, he entered college at 23, receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Shaw University in 1931, his M.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin 1933, and PhD in 1940. Quarles taught at Shaw, served as dean at Dillard University, and has chaired the history department at Morgan State University.

Nannie Mae Johnson, Educator born.

*Nannie Mae Johnson was born on this date in 1904. She was a Black teacher and sorority administrator. Johnson was a product of the Indianapolis Public School System and received both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Butler University. In 1922, she met the teachers who became her best friends and the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.   […]

The Sumner Academy of Arts and Science begins Classes

*On this date in 1905, the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science is affirmed.  This was a segregated high school, and now it is a magnet school in Kansas City, Kansas, operated by the Kansas City USD 500 school district. The original school was named Manual Training High School and was built at the corner of […]

Martin D. Jenkins, Educator born

*Martin D. Jenkins was born on this date in 1904. He was an African American educator and administrator, known for his pioneering work in the field of education.

Alberta Williams King, Teacher, and Activist born

*Alberta Williams King was born on this date in 1904. She was a Black educator, instrumentalist, and administrator. Alberta Christine Williams was born in Atlanta, GA. Her parents were Reverend Adam Daniel Williams, preacher of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and Jennie Celeste (Parks) Williams. Williams graduated from high school at the Spelman Seminary and […]

Albert W. Dent, University Administrator born.

*Albert W. Dent was born on September 25, 1904. He was a Black academic business administrator and community leader. Albert Walter Dent was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His father was a day laborer who died shortly before Albert’s birth. His mother worked as a domestic servant to support Albert and his two sisters. The Dents […]

Bethune-Cookman College is Founded

On this date in 1904, Bethune Cookman College was founded. It is one of more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.

Horace M. Bond, Educator and Administrator born

Horace M. Bond was born on this date in 1904. He was an African American teacher and administrator.

Bond was the grandson of slaves, the sixth of seven children. His mother was a schoolteacher, his father a minister, and both had attended Oberlin College. Bond excelled as a student, graduating from high school at the age of 14.

Leota O. Palmer, Music Teacher born

*Leota O. Palmer’s birth is celebrated on this date in 1904. She was a Black musician and music teacher. She and her twin brother were born in Oberlin to Columbus and Lelia Palmer, owners of a popular restaurant and bakery. She enrolled in the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in high school, studied piano, and graduated […]

Merze Tate, Michigan Educator born

*Merze Tate was born on this date in 1905. She was an African American teacher and administrator.

Vernie Merz Tate, daughter of Charles and Myrtle (Lett) Tate began her education at age 5 in a one-room framed building located on a corner acre of her family’s farm. From Blanchard, MI she walked eight miles a day to attend Battle Creek H.S. In 1927 Tate graduated first in her class from Western Michigan Teachers College in Kalamazoo, MI; the schools first Black to earn a B.A. degree.

Dorothy Hayne Whiteside, Educator born.

Dorothy Hayne Whiteside was born on this date in 1905. She was a Black teacher and sorority administrator. She was born in Indianapolis, IN, the daughter of Robert Hanley and Rhoda Samuels. After graduating from Shortridge High School, Whiteside entered the Indianapolis City Normal School. In 1922, while training as a cadet teacher, she met […]

Dorothy Porter Wesley, Librarian, and Writer born

On this date in 1905, Dorothy Porter Wesley was born. She was an African American writer and librarian.