People, Locations, Episodes

Black Women’s History in Welding and Government Industry, a story

*Black women’s history in welding and other government industries is affirmed on Pearl Harbor Day, 1941. With the entry of the United States of America into World War II, Black women became vital to the war effort. Already on the move as part of the Great Migration, they sought to leave behind dead-end, often demeaning work […]

Janet Langhart Cohen, TV Journalist born.

*Janet Langhart Cohen was born on this date in 1941. He is a retired Black model, television journalist, and author.   She was born Janet Leola Floyd in Indianapolis, IN, and raised in Indianapolis housing projects by her mother, a maid and hospital ward secretary. Her father, Sewell Bridges, a Black man, served in World […]

Joseph Searles III, Businessman born

*Joseph Searles was born on this date in 1942. He was a Black professional football player and is a lawyer, businessman, and community administrator. Joseph L. Searles, III, was raised in Ft. Hood, Texas. Young Searles was large enough to play with his father’s colleagues on the battalion team at a young age. He attended […]

Caroline R. Jones, Marketing Executive born

*This date marks the birth of Caroline Robinson Jones in 1942. She was an African American businesswoman and entrepreneur.

Loida Nicolas Lewis, Businesswoman born

*This date in 1942 is celebrated as the birth date of Loida Nicolas Lewis. She is a Filipino-born American businesswoman and the widow of TLC Beatrice founder and CEO Reginald Lewis. Loida Nicolas was born and raised in Sorsogon, Sorsogon, the daughter of Francisco Nicolas and Magdalena Mañalac. Her sister, Imelda, was the former Lead Convenor […]

Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Journalist born

*Charlayne Hunter-Gault was born on this date in 1942. She is a Black journalist and civil rights activist.  Alberta Charlayne Hunter was born in Due West, South Carolina, the daughter of Col. Charles Shepherd Henry Hunter, Jr., a regimental chaplain in the U.S. Army, and his wife, the former Althea Ruth Brown. At age 12, […]

Robert McGruder, Journalist born

*Robert G. McGruder: was born on this date in 1942. He was an African American journalist.

Wendell Gunn, Corporate Executive born

*Wendell Gunn was born on this date in 1942.  He is a retired Black corporate executive and Administrator.  Wendell Wilkie Gunn was born on Decatur Street in Tuscumbia, Alabama.   The midwife reported his birth two days late, which he only discovered when he met his future wife and discovered they shared the same birthday.  One of four children, his father was […]

The Negro Digest is Published

*On this date in 1942, The Negro Digest was published.   This was a magazine for the African American market.   It was first published locally in Chicago, Illinois, by publisher John H. Johnson of the Johnson Publishing Company. The Negro Digest was similar to Reader’s Digest but aimed to cover positive stories about the African […]

Johnson Publishing Company is Formed

*This date in 1942 celebrates the founding of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. (JPC), an African American print and media publishing business. Johnson Publishing Company was founded by John Harold Johnson, who was working as an office clerk for Chicago-based Supreme Life Insurance Company of America. Using money from a $500 loan secured with his mother’s furniture, […]

Reginald Lewis, Businessman born

On this date in 1942, Reginald F. Lewis was born. He was an African American business executive.

He was born in Baltimore, MD. He received his A.B. from Virginia State College in 1965 and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1968. He first worked as an attorney with the firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison until 1970. Lewis was then a partner in Murphy, Thorpe & Lewis, the first Black law firm on Wall Street. Between 1973 and 1989, Lewis was in private practice as a corporate lawyer.

Carlotta Walls LaNier, Realtor and Activist born

*Carlotta Walls LaNier was born on this date in 1942. She is a Black realtor and youth administrator and was the youngest of the Little Rock Nine. Carlotta Walls was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Juanita and Cartelyou Walls. Her father was a brick mason and a World War II veteran; her mother was a […]

Harvey Gantt, Architect, and Politician born

*Harvey Gantt was born on this date in 1943. He is a Black architect and politician. Harvey Bernard Gantt was born in Charleston, South Carolina, to Wilhelmina and Christopher C. Gantt, a shipyard worker. He started to participate in the American Civil Rights movement in high school. In 1963, he was the first Black student at Clemson […]

Gale Sayers, American Football Player born

*Gale Sayers was born on this date in 1943.  He was a Black collegiate and professional football player and businessman.  Gale Eugene Sayers was born to Roger Earl Sayers and Bernice Ross in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. His father was a mechanic for Goodyear, farmed, and worked for auto dealerships. Sayers’ younger […]

Faye Wattleton, Feminist, Administrator born

Faye Wattleton was born on this date in 1943. She is an African American administrator, feminist, and activist.