People, Locations, Episodes

Middle Tennessee State University Opens.

*Middle Tennessee State University opened on September 11, 1911. MTSU is an HBCU public research university in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. One of the earliest calls for a normal school in America was in 1855 when a politician from Wilson County, Tennessee, sought to build a normal school in Lebanon, Tennessee. Education efforts collapsed shortly after the […]

East Tennessee State University Begins Classes

*On this date in 1911, East Tennessee State University (ETSU) began classes. ETSU is a public (HBCU) research university in Johnson City, Tennessee. East Tennessee State University was founded as East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911 to educate teachers; the K-12 training school was called University School. East Tennessee State officially became a college […]

Melvin Alston, Educator, and Activist born

*Melvin Alston was born on this date in 1911. He was a Black educator and activist. From Norfolk, Virginia, Melvin Ovenus Alston’s father was Sonny Alston, and his mother was Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Long Island, New York. Alston had many brothers and sisters, and the family attended First Calvary or First Baptist […]

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is Founded

On this date in 1911, Omega Psi Phi fraternity was incorporated by three Howard University undergraduate black students, with the assistance of their faculty advise, Ernest E. Just. The three liberal arts students were Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman. .

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity has over 100,000 members and 659 chapters currently.

Helen Gray Edmonds, Educator, and Public Policy Administrator born

*Helen Gray Edmonds was born on this date in 1911. She was a Black educator and political activist.  From Lawrenceville, Va., she was the daughter of John Edward Edmonds and Ann Williams. She attended St. Paul’s High School and St. Paul’s College. Edmonds graduated from Morgan State University in 1933. After this, she earned a master’s degree from […]

ZerNora Stewart Black, Educator born

*ZerNona Stewart Black was born on this date in 1912. She was an African American educator and activist.

Born in Muskogee, Okla., she was living in New York when she accepted a three-month transfer in 1943 to the San Antonio YWCA-USO for Black Military, a group formed to help morale for African American service members and their families. A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, she taught communication, drama, speech, radio and physical education at Langston College in Oklahoma.

E. Oscar Woolfolk, Chemist and Professor born

*E. Oscar Woolfolk was born on this date in 1912.  He was a Black chemist and Professor.  From Tupelo, Mississippi, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Talladega College, Alabama, in 1934 and a Master of Science from Ohio State University in 1939. Ten years later, he earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University […]

Jo Ann Gibson Robinson, Activist born

Jo Ann Gibson Robinson was born on this date in 1912. She was an African American civil rights activist and educator.

Tennessee State University is Founded

On this date in 1912, Tennessee State University (TSU) opened its doors of higher learning. TSU is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.

Bernice Cross, Artist, and Art Instructor born

*Bernice Cross was born on this date in 1912. She was a Black artist and art instructor based in Washington, D.C., for most of her professional career. Her full name was Bernice Francena Cross, and she was born in Iowa City, Iowa, as an only child. Her father was Frank Wallace Cross, a lifelong Iowa resident; her […]

Heman M. Sweatt, Educator and Activist born

*Heman Sweatt was born on this date in 1912. He was an African American educator, postal worker and activist.

Lewis A. Jackson, Aviator, and Educator born

Lewis A. Jackson was born on this date in 1912. He was an African American aviator, innovator, educator, and administrator.

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is Formed

On this date in 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was found by 22 college women at Howard University.

These students wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to persons in need. The first public act performed by the Delta Founders was their participation in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington D.C., March 1913. Delta Sigma Theta was incorporated in 1929.

Jarvis Christian College Begins Classes

*Jarvis Christian College opened on this date in 1913. This is a private, four-year, Historically Black College (HBCU), fully accredited, co-educational liberal arts institution.   Located in Hawkins, Texas, since its founding in 1912, Jarvis Christian College has been a source of hope for those who want a quality liberal arts education, professional preparation, guidance in […]

Margaret Bonds, Teacher, and Composer born

On this date in 1913, Margaret Bonds was born. From Chicago, Illinois, she was an African American pianist and composer.