September 27, 1966 Stephanie Diana Wilson, the second African American woman (after Mae Jemison) to go into space, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Wilson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science from Harvard University in 1988 and her Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas in 1992. She […]
Archive | September, 2010
September 26th in African American History – Serena Jameka Williams
September 26, 1981 Serena Jameka Williams, World No. 1 female professional tennis player, was born in Saginaw, Michigan. Soon after her birth, Williams’ family moved to California where she started playing tennis at the age of four. Williams started playing professional tennis in 1995 but did not win her first professional singles title until 1999. […]
September 26th in African American History – Betty Carter
September 26, 1998 Betty Carter, jazz singer, died. Carter was born Lillie Mae Jones on May 16, 1929 in Flint, Michigan but grew up in Detroit. She studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory and by the age of 16 was singing with Charlie Parker. In 1958, Carter released her first solo album, “Out There with […]
September 25th in African American History – The Little Rock Nine
September 25, 1957 The Little Rock Nine successfully entered Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Brown v. Board of Education declaring all laws establishing segregated schools to be unconstitutional, and calling for the desegregation of all schools throughout the nation. By […]
September 25th in African American History – Willard Christopher “Will” Smith
September 25, 1968 Willard Christopher “Will” Smith, rapper, actor and film producer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While still in his teens, he began rapping and collaborating with Jeff Townes and “DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince” was born. The combination was a hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s creating such songs […]
September 24th in African American History – Mary Jane Patterson
September 24, 1894 Mary Jane Patterson, the first Black woman to graduate from an established college with a four year degree, died. Patterson was born enslaved September 12, 1840 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her family gained their freedom in 1852 and moved to Oberlin, Ohio in 1856. Patterson enrolled in Oberlin College in 1857 and […]
September 24th in African American History – Patrick Kelly
September 24, 1954 Patrick Kelly, fashion designer, was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Kelly initially studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York City but in 1979 moved to the fashion capital of the world, Paris, France. In 1985, he created Patrick Kelly Paris and began making outfits for Benetton and upscale Paris boutiques. […]