*James Washington was born on November 10, 1908. He was a Black painter and sculptor. James W. Washington Jr. was born and raised in Gloster, Mississippi, a rural mill town. He was one of six children of Baptist minister James Washington and his wife, Lizzie. While he was still a child, his father fled the […]
learn more*William E. Scott was born on this date in 1884. He was a Black artist. William Edouard Scott was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Edward and Caroline Scott (née Russell). After graduating from Manual Training High School in 1903, Scott spent a year studying drawing under Otto Stark. In 1904, he moved to Chicago and […]
learn more*Alonzo J. Aden was born on May 6, 1906. He was a Gay Black art historian and gallerist. Alonzo “Lonnie” Aden was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was the oldest son of Ephraim Aden, a hotelier, and Naomi Barnett, a schoolteacher. Aden had blonde hair until early adulthood and green eyes. In 1920, Aden […]
learn more*LL Cool J was born on this date in 1968. He is a Black rapper and actor. James Todd Smith was born in Bay Shore, on Long Island, New York, to Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith Jr, also known as James Nunya. According to the Chicago Tribune, “[As] a kid growing up middle class […]
learn moreSean Garrison is an artist. In this segment, he shares two areas he feels the African American community should focus more on.
learn more*Florence Cole Talbert was born on this date in 1890. She was a Black operatic soprano, music educator, and musician. Florence Cole was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a family deeply rooted in music and the performing arts. Her mother, Sadie Chandler Cole, was a mezzo-soprano and member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Her father […]
learn more*Manet Harrison Fowler was born on this date in 1895. She was a Black musician, dramatic soprano, artist, voice coach, piano teacher, conductor, music educator, and midwife. Manet Helen Harrison was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Taylor Henry Harrison, an African, and Carrie Vickers Harrison, a Creole, both Louisiana natives. She was a child […]
learn more*Ernestine Jessie Covington Dent was born on May 19, 1904. She was a Black pianist, music educator, and community leader. Ernestine Jessie Covington was born in Houston, Texas, and was the daughter of Benjamin Jesse Covington and Jennie Belle Murphy Covington. Her father was a medical doctor; both of her parents were college graduates and […]
learn more*Madeline Murphy Rabb was born on this date in 1945. She was a Black art collector, dealer, and lover of art. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, she was the second of five children, the daughter of Madeline W. Murphy and William H. Murphy, Sr. After completing high school, Murphy attended the University of Maryland in 1961. […]
learn more*Benjamin Matthews was born on this date in 1933. He was a Black classic (bass-baritone) singer and opera administrator. Benjamin Matthews was born in Prichard, Alabama. After moving to Chicago for high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he won second place in an all-Army singing contest. After the military, he joined the Chicago […]
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