People, Locations, Episodes

Marion St. Julian Horse Jockey born

*Marlon St. Julien was born on this date in 1972.  He is a Black equestrian professional in Thoroughbred horse racing.  From Lafayette, Louisiana, St. Julien began his professional riding career in 1989 at Evangeline Downs where he won his first race. He was the leading jockey at Delta Downs in 1993 and 1994, at Lone […]

Shaquille O’Neal, Basketball Player and Businessman born

*Shaquille O’Neal was born on this date in 1972. He was an African American professional basketball player.

Curt Flood’s Court Suit Against Baseball is Ruled

On this date in 1972, Curt Flood lost his suit against Major League Baseball’s (MLB) anti-trust statute.

The First Black Man Umpires a National League Baseball game

*On this date in 1972, Art Williams became the first African American umpire in the National League.

He called the game from third base as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 in 10 innings. William was a minor league pitcher in the mid 1950’s.

He died in 1979 at the age of 44 in his home in Bakersfield, California.

African American Environmentalist Association founded

*This date in 1973 marks the founding of World Environment Day.  We choose this date to write briefly about the African American Environmentalist Association (AAEA).  Founded in 1985, AAEA’s Vision, Mission & Strategy is to address the continuing crisis of pollution that disproportionately affects the poor and communities of color.  They conduct cutting-edge research on […]

Derek Jeter, Baseball Player, and Executive born

Derek Jeter was born on this date in 1974. He was an African American professional baseball player.

Mike Grier, Hockey Player, and Administrator born

*Mike Grier was born on this date in 1975. He is a former Black professional ice hockey winger and current National Hockey League general manager. Michael James Grier was born in Detroit, MI, but raised in Holliston, Massachusetts, where he attended and played hockey at St. Sebastian’s School. At age 9, he appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces […]

Major League Baseball Hires its First Black Manager

On this date in 1974, Frank Robinson becomes manager of the Cleveland Indians baseball club. Robinson was former Most Valuable Player (MVP) in both leagues, Cincinnati and Baltimore. He was the first African American manager in major league baseball.

Black Coach Wins A Pro Basketball Championship

On this date in 1975, Al Attles became one of the first African American coach to win a professional championship in any team sport.

On that Sunday afternoon, his Golden State Warriors swept the Washington Bullets 4 games to 0 with a 96 to 95 victory in the NBA finals. The Bullets were coached by K.C. Jones, another African American. Attles coached the Warriors until 1983, compiling a 557-518 record overall.

Torii Hunter, Baseball Player, and Coach born

*Torii Hunter was born on this date in 1975. He is a retired African American professional baseball player and activist for youth baseball in the black community.

Stephanie Ready, Basketball Coach and Broadcaster born

*Stephanie Ready was born on this date in 1975. She is a Black TV broadcaster and semi-professional basketball coach. Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, Ready attended National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., followed by Coppin State University in Baltimore, where she played basketball and volleyball for the Coppin State Eagles. She ranked in the top 10 on […]

Tiger Woods, Golfer born

On this date in 1975, “Tiger” Woods was born. He is an African and Asian American professional golfer, the first representative of the two races and the youngest golfer, to win a major golf tournament.

Eldrick “Tiger” Woods, born in Cypress, CA, is a golf prodigy. His father Earl Woods taught his son to play golf before the boy could even read. His mother, Kutilda Punsawad Woods, comes from Thailand.

Kevin Garnett, Basketball Player born

Kevin Maurice Garnett was born on this date in 1976. He was an African American professional basketball player.

He was born in Mauldin S.C., just outside of Greenville, to O’Lewis McCullough and Shirley Irby Garnett. He has two sisters, Sonya and Ashley. In his hometown, he is remembered as the tall kid with the ball, who pushed the curfew at Springfield Park, shooting baskets until midnight or alone in the dark. His friends say that he had to play, and basketball was in his blood.

Jarome Iginla, Hockey Player born

*Jarome Iginla was born on this date in 1977. He is a Black Canadian (retired) professional hockey forward. He played over 1500 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings. Jarome Arthur Iginla was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised in the adjoining city of St. Albert. His father was originally from Nigeria, but his […]

Keeth Smart, Olympic Fencer born

*Keeth Smart was born on this date in 1978. He is an African American Fencer and Olympic athlete.

From Brooklyn at the age of 14 his parents made him choose between the more traditional sports he was involved with and fencing. He is the son of Thomas R. Smart Jr.a production manager and economist and Liz Smart a teacher. Smart graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1996. At the urging of his parents, he and his younger sister Erinn began to learn fencing at the Peter Westbrook Foundation.