Mesha Davis is a woman’s advocate and community development CEO. In this segment, she shares three words that describe her, and a treasured memory of her childhood.
learn more*Sir James Douglas was born on this date in 1803. He was a Black Canadian Statesman. Born in Demerara, British Guiana, he was the son of John Douglas and Miss Ritchie, a “Creole” woman from Barbados. The couple had three children, Alexander, James, and Cecilia Eliza. John Douglas’ second family was with Jane Hamilton Douglas, and they had […]
learn more*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, […]
learn more*Black History and American Agriculture is affirmed on this date in 1862. President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to establish the United States Department of Agriculture on that date. During the agricultural business’s most significant era, when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was created, 90% of the American public were farmers. It was not […]
learn more*Joseph Vann was born on this date in 1798. He was a Native American Cherokee leader, businessman, slave owner, and planter. Joseph H. Vann was born in Spring Place, Georgia. He and his sister Mary were children of James Vann and Nannie Brown, both Cherokee of mixed-blood with white-European ancestry. James Vann was a powerful chief in […]
learn more*The birth of Chester Higgins Jr. is celebrated on this date in 1946. He is a Black photographer. Higgins was born in Fairhope, Alabama, and grew up in New Brockton, Alabama. He attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), where he met the school’s official photographer, Prentice H. Polk. He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in business […]
learn more*Benjamin Hawkins was born on this date in 1754. He was a white-American planter, slave owner, statesman, and U.S. Indian agent. Hawkins was born to Philemon Hawkins and Delia (Martin) Hawkins on August 15, 1754, the third of four sons. The family farmed and operated a plantation in Granville County, North Carolina. He attended the […]
learn moreThe birth of William McIntosh is celebrated on this date in 1775. He was a Creek Native American chief and slave owner. William McIntosh was born Tustunnuggee Hutke (White Warrior) in the Lower Creek town of Coweta in present-day Georgia. His parents were Senoya, a member of the Wind Clan, and his father, the Scottish American soldier William […]
learn more*The birth of William John Livingston is celebrated on this date in 1836. He was a Black slave and laborer. Born in Northeastern Missouri, he was a childhood friend of Mark Twain. Joseph Daugherty of Hannibal, Missouri, bought him when he was twelve. After his master’s death, Judge Ringo bought him and freed him during the American […]
learn more*Abraham Taylor was born on this date in 1890. He was a Black businessman, and co-founder of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Abraham Langston Taylor was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon completing his education at Howe Institute, Howard University, and Frelinghuysen University, Taylor operated as the first International President of Phi Beta Sigma and was distinguished, […]
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