January 11, 1971 Mary Jane Blige, singer, record producer and “Queen of Hip Hop Soul,” was born in The Bronx, New York. Blige spent her early years in Savannah, Georgia where she sang in a church choir. In 1989, she was signed by Uptown Records, becoming the label’s youngest and first female artist. In 1991, […]
About Chimsima Zuhri
January 10th in African American History – Chandra Danette Cheeseborough
January 10, 1959 Chandra Danette Cheeseborough, hall of fame track and field athlete, was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Cheeseborough broke onto the international track scene at the age of 16 by winning two Gold medals at the 1975 Pan American Games. In 1976, she set the American junior record in the 100-meter race.
January 10th in African American History – James Forman
January 10, 2005 James Forman, civil rights leader, died. Foreman was born October 4, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. He served in the United States Air Force in Okinawa during the Korean War and was discharged in 1952. Forman earned his undergraduate degree from Roosevelt University in 1957 and spent most of the late 1950s working […]
January 9th in African American History – Earl Gilbert Graves, Sr.
January 9, 1935 Earl Gilbert Graves, Sr., author, publisher, entrepreneur and philanthropist, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Graves earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Morgan State University in 1958 and from 1965 to 1968 served as an administrative assistant to Senator Robert F. Kennedy. In 1968, he started Earl G. Graves, […]
January 9th in African American History – Countee Cullen
January 9, 1946 Countee Cullen, Harlem Renaissance poet and novelist, died. Cullen was born Countee LeRoy Porter on March 30, 1903 in Louisville, Kentucky. At a very young age, he won many poetry contests and often had his winning works published. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925 from New York University and […]
January 8th in African American History – Charles Young
January 8, 1922 Charles Young, the third African American graduate of West Point, died. Young was born March 12, 1864 in Mayslick, Kentucky. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, he taught at a black high school in Ripley, Ohio. In 1884, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point […]
January 8th in African American History – James Edward Cheek
January 8, 2010 James Edward Cheek, educator and theologian, died. Cheek was born December 4, 1932 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. He served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1951. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and history from Shaw University in 1955, his Master of Divinity […]