People, Locations, Episodes

Augusta E. Dinkins, Administrator born

*The birth of Augusta Dinkins is celebrated on this date, 1918.  She was a Black administrator and community activist.  Ella Augusta Johnson Dinkins was born in Orlando, Florida, and arrived in Eatonville, Fl. in 1930. Her father, an architect, relocated his family to a small Black town after losing everything in the Great Depression. The […]

The Crusader Magazine is Published

*On this date in 1918, The Crusader magazine is celebrated. During the early 20th century, it was one of the most prominent and vital black communist publications. It was the work of Cyril Valentine Briggs. It was published initially with the support of a West Indian merchant and later with the backing of the Communist Party. In December 1918, […]

George Treadwell, Musician, and Band Manager born

*George Treadwell was born on this date in 1918. He was a Black jazz trumpeter, songwriter, and band manager. George McKinley Treadwell was from New Rochelle, New York. He played in the house band in Harlem in 1941–1942, then worked with Benny Carter in 1942 in Florida. Following stints with Ace Harris’ Sunset Royals and Tiny Bradshaw, […]

The Associated Negro Press is Founded

*On this date in 1919, the Associated Negro Press (ANP), the first national news services for African Americans, was established.

The Kansas City Call Newspaper is Founded

*On this date we remember the founding of the Kansas City Call in 1919. This is an African American Newspaper.

M. Carl Holman, Activist, and Businessman born

On this date in 1918, M. Carl Holman was born. He was an African American civil rights leader and president of the National Urban Coalition (1971-88) who promoted the need for a mutual partnership between industry and government to foster inner-city development.

The Sterling Club (St. Paul) Opens

*The Sterling Club was incorporated on this date in 1919.  This is a social gathering place for the St. Paul, MN African American community.    Founded during the Jim Crow era, it was organized because there were few places “blacks” could go for entertainment and Socializing.  The membership, reflecting an occupational diversity that included railroad […]

Lawrence Brown, Accountant born

*Bubba Brown was born on this date in 1919. He was an African American accountant and community activist.

Lawrence A. (Bubba) Brown was from Minneapolis. He parents were John and Harriet Brown. He had one brother Harold and his family grew up on North side of town and he and his brother graduate of North High School. In his youth he spent considerable time at the Phyllis Wheatley Settlement House, which he credited with much of his later success and perspectives on life. He attended Mankato State College on a football scholarship and the University of Minnesota.

The California Voice Newspaper is Published

The California Voice began publishing on this date in 1919. It is a weekly newspaper serving the African American community. It was first published with E. Marshall as editor, Lawrence Sledge as associate editor, T. Marshall as business manager, and L. A. Brown as assistant manager. It was run for many years by Lillian and E. A. Daly, […]

Edward A. Gibbs, Aviation, Instructor and Businessman born

*Edward Gibbs was born on this date in 1919. He was an aviator, businessman, and instructor. Edward Albertis Gibbs was from New York City. He attended New York City public schools and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from New York University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from New York Law School. He […]

The Roseland Ballroom Opens in New York City

*The opening of the Roseland Ballroom in New York occurred on this date in 1919.  This was a multipurpose hall where Black singers and musicians performed. Roseland was founded in Philadelphia in 1917 by Louis Brecker with financing from Frank Yuengling of the D. G. Yuengling & Son beer family.   In 1919, to escape Philadelphia’s […]

The League of Women for Community Service is Formed

*On this date in 1920, the League of Women for Community Service was formed. The League was formed to undertake civic, social, educational, and charitable work to benefit Boston’s Black community. On that date, Florida Ruffin Ridley and her mother, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, purchased 558 Massachusetts Avenue from Eliza Farwell, widow of Nathaniel Farwell, and the […]

The Aldridge Theater, (Oklahoma City) Opens

*The Aldridge Theater opened on this date in 1920. It was a black-owned business in Oklahoma City, OK. It opened with Sam De Grasse in “Blind Husbands.” It initially presented vaudeville and movies. It was part of the TOBA chain of Black-owned theatres owned by Zelia Breaux. In the late 1920s, Count Basie and Gonzelle White’s […]

The Kansas City Monarchs Baseball Team is Founded

*This date in 1920 celebrates the founding of the Kansas City Monarchs baseball organization. The Monarchs played out of Kansas City, Missouri, and were the longest-running franchise in Negro League history.     Winners of more than a dozen league championships, the Monarch name became the Negro League’s answer to the New York Yankees. They won their first Colored […]

Lester Bankhead, Architect born

*Lester Bankhead, was born on this date in 1912. He was an African American architect.