February 6, 1993, Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr., professional tennis player and civil rights activist, died. Ashe was born July 10, 1943 in Richmond, Virginia. In 1963, he became the first black player ever selected to the United States Davis Cup team. In 1965, Ashe won the National Collegiate Athletic Association tennis singles title. Ashe graduated […]
"Academy Award"
January 30th in African American History – Coretta Scott King
January 30, 2006 Coretta Scott King, civil rights leader and author, died. King was born April 27, 1927 in Perry County, Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music at Antioch College in 1951. During her time at Antioch, she became active in the Civil Rights Movement, joining the college’s chapter of the […]
November 24th in African American History – Hale Smith
November 24, 2009 Hale Smith, composer, pianist, arranger and educator, died. Smith was born June 29, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1950 and 1952, respectively.
October 22nd in African American History – Cleavon Jake Little
October 22, 1992 Cleavon Jake Little, film and stage actor, died. Little was born June 1, 1939 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dramatic Arts from San Diego State University and received a full scholarship to graduate school at Juilliard. After completing Juilliard, he trained at the American Academy of […]
October 17th in African American History – Mae Carol Jemison
October 17, 1956 Mae Carol Jemison, physician and the first African American woman to travel in space, was born in Decatur, Alabama. Jemison entered Stanford University at the age of 16 and graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in African and Afro-American Studies. She earned […]
Jacob Lawrence – September 7th in African American History
September 7, 1919 Jacob Lawrence, painter and educator, was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Lawrence attended classes at the Harlem Art Workshop and earned a scholarship to the American Artist School. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served with the first racially integrated crew. Throughout his artistic career, Lawrence […]
Edwin Corley Moses – August 31st in African American History
August 31, 1955 Edwin Corley Moses, former track and field athlete, was born in Dayton, Ohio. Moses attended Morehouse College on an academic scholarship and earned his B. S. degree in 1976. While at Morehouse, Moses essentially trained himself. Between 1977 and 1987, Moses won 122 consecutive 400 meter hurdles races. He won Gold Medals […]