Sam Cooke was one of soul music’s greatest talents. The “King of Soul” is largely credited with bridging the gap between pop and soul music using his roots in gospel to influence his formidable vocal talents. Cooke was born January 22, 1931 in Clarksdale, Miss. but was primarily raised in Chicago. As a young man, […]
Grant Fuhr was once referred to by hockey great Wayne Gretzky as the best goalie to ever play in the National Hockey League. Fuhr achieved a series of firsts as a player and after his career ended, he embraced his role model status. Fuhr was born September 28, 1962 in Spruce Grove, Alberta in Canada. […]
On this day in 1978, NASA graduated its first group of Space Shuttle astronauts which signaled a new day for the space program. Among the group of 35, three Black men went on to leave their mark on history as explorers of space. Maj. Frederick D. Gregory of Washington, Col. Guion Bluford of Pennsylvania, and […]
The ’70’s sitcom Sanford & Son was a smash hit for the NBC network, predating the later success of Black sitcoms like The Cosby Show, black-ish and other series that came in its wake. The series is celebrating its 45th anniversary this weekend, and remains a cultural staple within the African-American community. The show starred comedian […]
The case of Sipuel v. The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma laid the early groundwork for other “separate but equal” cases such as the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Ada Louis Sipuel’s racial discrimination case against the school was decided on this day in 1948, making it possible for her […]
The German Coast slave uprising of 1811 is regarded by some historians as the largest revolt of its sort in American history. While that claim has been disputed, recent examinations of the period reveal that the revolt was a significant one. It took place in New Orleans in a region east of the Mississippi River […]
Ohio has long been considered a haven for some of the world’s best funk musicians, and now an upcoming venue will be erected in the city of Dayton to honor pioneers of the genre. This March, the city will welcome the opening of the Funk Music Hall Of Fame and Exhibit Center, an effort that […]
Today marks the founding date of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., better known among Black Letter Greek Organizations as the “Nupes.” In 1911, 10 students gathered on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington and began a tradition that has expanded to a membership 150,000 members strong worldwide. The fraternity was founded as Kappa […]
On this day in 1990, the city of Selma, Ala. once again became the epicenter of racial tensions after a city-wide school boycott. Students were angered at the firing of the city’s first Black school superintendent, Dr. Norwand Rousell, who lost his job after dismantling what he felt was a discriminatory policy. In 1987, Dr. […]
General Lloyd W. ‘Fig’ Newton is a retired U.S. Air Force four-star general who made history within the military branch. In 1974, General Newton became the first African-American member of the Air Force’s air demonstration squad, The Thunderbirds. Newton was born December 24, 1942 in Ridgeland, S.C. Newton’s parents enforced education in their home despite never […]
The late Mayme Agnew Clayton was a librarian and historian who founded the Western States Black Research and Education Center, which bills itself as the largest collection of African-American historical items in the world. Dr. Agnew’s collection, which was amassed over four decades, is housed in the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum in Culver […]
Ricky Harris and his 20-year plus career had its shares of ups and downs, but the comedian and actor’s comic timing was a notable fixture on the small and big screen. Harris passed away this week at the age of 54, rocking the entertainment world and those who worked alongside him. Harris was born January […]
