People, Locations, Episodes

James A. Porter, Artist, and Historian born

James Amos Porter was born on this date in 1905. He was an African American painter and art historian, instrumental in the development of the scholarly study of African American art.

Josephine Baker, Entertainer, and Activist born

Josephine Baker, an African American French expatriate dancer and singer, was born on this date in 1906.

Richard B. Nugent, Writer born

On this date, Richard Bruce Nugent was born in 1906. He was an African American writer.

Leonard Reed, Dancer, and Composer born

*Leonard Reed was born on this date in1907. He was an African American, Native American dancer, composer, choreographer and showman.

Mae Barnes, Stage Entertainer born

The birth of Mae Barnes in 1907 is celebrated on this date. She was an African American dancer and singer whose basic swinging approach fell between jazz and middle-of-the-road pop music.

G. Caliman Coxe, Artist and Educator born.

*G. Caliman Coxe was born on May 7,1907. He was a Black artist and educator. Gloucester Caliman Coxe was a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1924. In his 40s, he entered the University of Louisville to study art. He was the first African American to receive a Hite art scholarship […]

Rudolph Dunbar, Clarinetist and Conductor born

Rudolph Dunbar was born on this date in 1907. He was a Guyanese conductor, clarinetist, and composer.

Dunbar was born in Nabaclis, British Guyana. He was 14 when he joined the British Guiana Militia Band as a clarinet-playing apprentice. He immigrated to the United States five years later, and began studying at the Institute of Musical Art, (now the Juilliard School) in New York, where he was also involved with the Harlem jazz scene. During this time, he was a recording artist, playing clarinet solos. He also established a friendship with Black composer William Grant Still.

Charles Alston, Artist, and Teacher born

On this date we celebrate the birth of Charles Alston in 1907. He was an African American artist and teacher.

Charles Henry Alston was born in Charlotte, N.C. His father died when he was three. Soon after, his mother moved to New York and married Harry P. Bearden (the uncle of artist Romare Bearden). Alston attended DeWitt Clinton High School, taught there, and graduated from Columbia University in 1929. In 1931, he received a master’s degree from Columbia’s Teachers College.

Irene Britton Smith, Classical Composer born

*Irene Britton Smith was born on this date in 1907. She was an African and Native classical composer and educator. Irene Britton was born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of four siblings. She was of African, Crow, and Cherokee descent. Smith attended Ferron Grammar School, Doolittle Grammar School, and Wendell Phillips High School. Britton attended […]

Ruby Elzy, Stage and Film Vocalist born.

*Ruby Elzy was born on this date in 1908. She was an African American opera singer who appeared on stage, radio and film.

A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi, at the age of five her family was abandoned. Her mother (Emma) Elzy supported the family as a teacher at the colored school in Pontotoc. Elzy is known to have created the role of Serena in George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” on Broadway in 1935. She was married twice, her second husband was actor Jack Carr, who appeared on stage with her in “Porgy and Bess” and who also appeared in a number of films.

Robert Pious, Graphic Artist born

*Robert Savon Pious, a black graphic artist, was born on this date in 1908 in Meridian, Mississippi. His father was Nattie Pious, and his mother was Loula Pious. His parents married in 1895 and had nine children, of which he was the sixth born. The family lived at 2005 18th Avenue in Meridian. At the […]

Isabelle Washington, Dancer, and Actress born

*Isabel Washington Powell was born on this date in 1908. She was a Black dancer and actress.   Isabel Geraldine Washington was born in Savannah, Georgia. She was one of five children, with her older sister being the actress Fredi Washington. She was primarily raised in New York City, where she pursued a career in […]

The Frogs Club, (Artists Organization) is Formed

On this date in 1908, The Frogs Club was organized in New York. The Frogs was a group of African American theatrical professionals.

James Hampton, Folk Artist born

*On this date in 1909, James Hampton was born. He was an African American folk artist.

Norman Lewis, Painting Artist born

Norman Lewis was born on this date in 1909. He was an African American painter.