October 29, 1969 George Murphy “Pops” Foster, jazz string bassist, died. Foster was born May 19, 1892 in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. By 1907, Foster was playing professionally, working in bands such as King Oliver’s and Kid Ory’s. In 1929, he moved to New York City where he played with various bands, including Louis Armstrong’s.
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October 28th in African American History – Simon Vengai Muzenda
October 28, 1922 Simon Vengai Muzenda, Zimbabwean politician, was born In the Gutu District of what was then Rhodesia. After completing his carpentry courses, Muzenda started his own carpentry business and became active in politics, eventually becoming administrative secretary of the Zimbabwe African National Union. His political activity led to him being imprisoned several times […]
October 28th in African American History – Leonard Randolph “Lenny” Wilkins
October 28, 1937 Leonard Randolph “Lenny” Wilkins, hall of fame basketball player and coach, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Wilkins was a two time All-American at Providence College and when he graduated with a degree in economics he was second highest scorer in the college’s history. Providence retired his jersey number in 1996, making […]
October 27th in African American History – Ernest Everett Just
October 27, 1941 Ernest Everett Just, pioneering biologist and one of the founders of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, died. Just was born August 14, 1883 in Charleston, South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in zoology in 1907. After graduating and encountering the reality that it was […]
October 27th in African American History – Es’kia Mphahlele
October 27, 2008 Es’kia Mphahlele, author, educator, and activist, died. Mphahlele was born December 17, 1919 in Pretoria, South Africa. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of South Africa in 1949 and 1956, respectively. Mphahlele taught high school from 1945 to 1952 and published his first book […]
October 26th in African American History – Benedict Wallet Vilakazi
October 26, 1947 Benedict Wallet Vilakazi, poet, novelist and educator, died. Vilakazi was born Bambatha kaMshini Vilakazi on January 6, 1906 near KwaDukuza, Natal (now South Africa). At the age of ten, he was baptized and given the name Benedict Wallet. He earned his teaching certificate in 1923 and taught at several schools.
October 26th in African American History – Regina Marcia Benjamin
October 26, 1956 Regina Marcia Benjamin, Surgeon General of the United States, was born in Mobile, Alabama. Benjamin earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Xavier University in 1979, her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Alabama in 1984, and her Master of Business Administration degree from the Freeman School of […]