November 3, 1976 Charles Dean Dixon, orchestra conductor, died. Dixon was born January 10, 1915 in New York City. He studied conducting at the Juilliard School and Columbia University. In 1931, when early pursuits of conducting engagements were stifled by racial bias, Dixon formed his own orchestra and choral society.
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November 2nd in African American History – Lawrence Chatmon Larry Little
November 2, 1945 Lawrence Chatmon “Larry” Little, hall of fame football player, was born in Groveland, Georgia. Little played college football at Bethune-Cookman College and was signed by the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League as a free agent in 1967.
November 2nd in African American History – Chandler Owen
November 2, 1967 Chandler Owen, writer, editor and co-founder of the Messenger, died. Owen was born April 5, 1889 in Warrenton, North Carolina. After graduating from Virginia Union University in 1913, he moved to New York City to become a fellow of the National Urban League. In 1917, Owen and A. Philip Randolph founded the […]
November 1st in African American History – Florence Mills
November 1, 1927 Florence Mills, cabaret singer, dancer and comedian, died. Mills was born Florence Winfrey on January 25, 1896 in Washington, D. C. She began performing at the age of four and made her vaudeville debut with her two sisters as The Mills Trio. Mills made her stage musical debut in “Shuffle Along” in […]
November 1st in African American History – Walter Payton
November 1, 1999 Walter Payton, hall of fame football player, died. Payton was born July 25, 1954 in Columbia, Mississippi. He played college football at Jackson State University where he was a two-time All-American and two-time Black College Player of the Year. Payton graduated from Jackson State with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
October 31st in African American History – Frederick Stanley McGriff
October 31, 1963 Frederick Stanley McGriff, former Major League baseball player, was born in Tampa, Florida. McGriff was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1981 amateur draft and reached the majors full time in 1987.
October 31st in African American History – Riley Leroy Pitts
October 31, 1967 Riley Leroy Pitts, the first African American commissioned officer to receive the Medal of Honor, died. Pitts was born October 15, 1937 in Fallis, Oklahoma. In 1960, he graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in journalism. After being commissioned as an officer in the Army, he was sent to Vietnam […]