June 9, 2000 Jacob Lawrence, painter, and educator, died. Lawrence was born September 7, 1919 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He attended classes at the Harlem Art Workshop and earned a scholarship to the American Artists School. Throughout his artistic career, Lawrence concentrated on depicting the history and struggles of African Americans.
Archive | June, 2011
June 9th in African American History – Ousmane Sembene
June 9, 2007 Ousmane Sembene, writer and “Father of African film,” died. Sembene was born January 1, 1923 in Casamance, Senegal. In 1944, he was drafted into the French army to fight in World War II. In 1947, he moved to France where he discovered writers such as Claude McKay and Jacques Roumain. His first […]
June 8th in African American History – Kanye Omari West
June 8, 1977 Kanye Omari West, rapper and record producer, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. West attended the American Academy of Art and Chicago State University but dropped out to focus on his music career. He first gained recognition for producing hit singles for artists such as Jay-Z, Common, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. In […]
June 8th in African American History – Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige
June 8, 1982 Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige, Negro League and Major League pitcher, died. Paige was born July 7, 1906 in Mobile, Alabama. At the age of 12, he was committed to the Industrial School for Negro Children where he developed his pitching skills. In 1926, Paige was signed by the Chattanooga White Sox of […]
June 7th in African American History – Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince)
June 7, 1958 Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince), singer, songwriter, and musician, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prince’s first album, “For You,” was released in 1978. He composed, produced, arranged, and played all 27 instruments on the recording. In 1979, he had his first major hit album, “Prince,” which contained the single “I Wanna Be Your […]
June 7th in African American History – James Byrd, Jr.
June 7, 1998 James Byrd, Jr. was murdered in Jasper, Texas when three men hooked him to a pickup truck and dragged him about three miles along the pavement. While being dragged, his arm and head were cut off. The murderers unchained his torso and left it on the road in front of the town’s […]
June 6th in African American History – Tommie Smith
June 6, 1944 Tommie Smith, former track and field athlete and professional football player, was born in Clarksville, Texas. Smith won a track scholarship to San Jose State University where in 1966 he set the world record in the 200-meter race. Also at San Jose State, Smith was a co-founder of the Olympic Project for […]