People, Locations, Episodes

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is Founded

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) was founded on this date in 1915. The brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson, the ASALH formed in Washington D. C., happened partially in response to the release of D. W. Griffith’s racist film, “The Birth of a Nation” that same year.

Lemuel Penn, Officer and Educator born

*Lemuel Penn was born on this date in 1915. He was a Black educator and soldier. Lemuel Augustus Penn was born in Washington D.C., joined the Army Reserve from Howard University, and served as an Officer in World War II in New Guinea and the Philippines, earning a Bronze Star. After serving his country, Penn […]

Charles Black, Law Professor born

*Charles L. Black Jr. was born on this date in 1915. He was a White American Professor, and authority in constitutional law.

Xavier University is Founded

This date marks the founding of Xavier University of Louisiana. It is one of the over 100 Historical Black Colleges and Universities in America.

Conrad Johnson, Teacher, and Musician born

*On this date in 1915, Conrad Johnson was born.  He was an African American jazz saxophonist and music teacher.

From Victoria, Texas Conrad O. Johnson was nine when his family moved to Houston. Following studies at Yates High School, he attended Houston College for Negroes and graduated from Wiley College. He was a active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Jerome Holland, Educator, and Diplomat born

On this date in 1916, Jerome Holland was born. He was an African American diplomat and educator.

Born in Auburn, N.Y., Jerome Heartwell Holland was (in 1935) the first Black man to play football at Cornell University. He graduated in 1939 and received a master’s degree in sociology two years later. After teaching sociology and physical education at Lincoln University, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1950. Holland served as president of Delaware State College, from 1953 to 1959 and of Hampton Institute from 1960 to 1970.

Phi Sigma Pi Fraternity is Founded

*On this date in 1916, Phi Sigma Pi fraternity was founded at Central Missouri State University; founded by E.L. Hendricks, C.A. Phillips, and C.H. McClure.

Yvonne Walker Taylor, Educator born

*Dr. Yvonne Walker-Taylor was born on this date in 1916. She was an African American educator and administrator.

Thelma Glass, Educator, and Activist born

*Thelma Glass was born on this date in 1916. She was a Black educator and activist. She was born Thelma McWilliams to a hotel cook and a homemaker in Mobile, Alabama. She graduated from Dunbar High School (Mobile) and attended Alabama State University and Columbia University. She married Arthur Glass in 1942, and both taught geography at […]

Robert N. Hyde II, Educator born

*Robert Hyde was born on this date in 1916. He was an African American educator and administrator.

From Des Moines, Iowa, Robert N. Hyde II was the son of Branham and Stella Hyde; he also had a sister (Maxine Graham). A graduate of North High School in Des Moines, Hyde received his Bachelor of Science degree in philosophy from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) in 1941, and his Master of Science in Education degree from Drake University in 1970.

The Rosenwald School Project in America Begins

*The Rosenwald School project in America is celebrated in 1917. This Educational endeavor built over 5,000 schools, shops, and teacher homes in the United States primarily to educate Black children in the South during the early 20th century. The project was the product of the partnership between Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington. The need arose from […]

Irene Kirkaldy, Educator, and Activist born

Irene Morgan Kirkaldy was born on this date in 1917. She was an African American educator and civil rights activist.

Mamie Clark, Child Psychologist born.

Mamie Phipps Clark was born on this date in 1917. She was an African American educator (child psychology), community activist and administrator.

The Municipal Training School for Colored Nurses Begins

*On this date in 1917, we celebrate the first class of the Municipal Training School for Colored Nurses (MTSCN). Mrs. Ludie Andrews founded MCSTN, which became part of the Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing program. This was an accredited nursing school for black students. Municipal School students took courses at Spelman College and completed clinical work at Hughes […]

Carolyn B. Parker, Physicist, and Professor born

*Carolyn Parker was born on this date in 1917.  She was a Black physicist and professor.  Carolyn Beatrice Parker was born in Gainesville, Florida. Her father, Julius A. Parker, was a successful physician and pharmacist who graduated from Meharry Medical College, the first medical school for Blacks in the South. Her mother was Della Ella […]