January 23, 1935 Robert Parris “Bob” Moses, educator and civil rights activist, was born in Harlem, New York. Moses earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College in 1956 and his Master of Arts degree from Harvard University in 1957. In 1960, he became field secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Archive | January, 2012
January 23rd in African American History – Thomas Andrew Dorsey
January 23, 1993 Thomas Andrew Dorsey, the father of gospel music, died. Dorsey was born July 1, 1899 in Villa Rica, Georgia. He learned to play blues piano as a young man. In the 1920s, Dorsey was known for playing the blues and is credited with composing more than 400 blues and jazz songs, including […]
January 22nd in African American History – Samuel Cooke
January 22, 1931 Samuel Cooke, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Cooke began his career singing gospel. In 1950, he became the lead singer for The Soul Stirrers who recorded several hits, including “Peace in the Valley” (1951) and “One More River” (1955). In 1957, Cooke left The Soul Stirrers and recorded […]
January 22nd in African American History – James Anderson, Jr.
January 22, 1947 James Anderson, Jr., the first African American United States Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor, was born in Los Angeles, California. Anderson enlisted in the marines in 1966. He was promoted to private first class after graduating from recruit training and sent to Vietnam as a rifleman, 2nd Platoon, Company F, […]
January 21st in African American History – Eric Himpton Holder, Jr.
January 21, 1951 Eric Himpton Holder, Jr., the first African American Attorney General of the United States, was born in the Bronx, New York. Holder earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in American history in 1973 from Columbia College and his Juris Doctorate degree in 1976 from Columbia Law School. After graduating from law school, […]
January 21st in African American History – Fannie Jackson Coppin
January 21, 1913 Fannie Jackson Coppin, educator and journalist, died. Coppin was born enslaved on October 15, 1837 in Washington, D.C. She gained her freedom at the age of 12 when her aunt, who worked for $6 per month and saved $125, was able to purchase her freedom. In 1860, she enrolled at Oberlin College […]
January 20th in African American History – Eva Jessye
January 20, 1895 Eva Jessye, the first black woman to receive international distinction as a professional choral conductor, was born in Coffeyville, Kansas. Jessye studied choral music and music theory at Western University, a now defunct historically black college, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Langston University in 1919. In 1926, she formed […]