August 13, 1982 Shani Davis, speed skater and the first black athlete to win a Gold Medal in an individual Olympic Winter Games sport, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Davis learned to roller skate at the age of two and at six years old was enrolled at the Evanston Speed Skating Club. At 16, Davis […]
About Chimsima Zuhri
August 12th in African American History – Jean-Michel Basquiat
August 12, 1988 Jean-Michel Basquiat, the first painter of African descent to become an international art star, died. Basquiat was born December 22, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York. By the age of 11, he was fluent in French, Spanish, and English. Basquiat dropped out of high school and started as a graffiti artist. By 1982, […]
August 12th in African American History – Luther Allison
August 12, 1997 Luther Allison, blues guitarist, died. Allison was born August 17, 1939 in Widener, Arkansas but raised in Chicago, Illinois. Allison taught himself to play the guitar. During the 1950s and early 1960s, he worked the club circuit. He released his debut album, “Love Me Mama”, in 1968. In 1972, Allison was signed […]
August 11th in African American History – Viola Davis
August 11, 1965 Viola Davis, stage and film actress, was born in St. Matthews, South Carolina. Davis graduated from Rhode Island College with a major in theatre in 1988. She also attended the Juilliard School for the Performing Arts from 1990 to 1994. Davis won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress […]
August 11th in African American History – Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic
August 11, 1929 The first Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic was held in Chicago, Illinois “as a celebration of the unity in diversity for the children of Chicago.” The parade and picnic is held annually on the second Saturday in August and has grown into the oldest and largest African American parade in the United […]
August 10th in African American History – Clarence Cameron White
August 10, 1880 Clarence Cameron White, violinist, teacher, and composer, was born in Clarkville, Tennessee. White started studying violin at the age of eight and in 1896 entered the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he was the only Black student in the orchestra. Before graduating, he left Oberlin to accept a teaching position. From 1924 […]
August 10th in African American History – Henry Cabot Lodge Bohler
August 10, 2007 Henry Cabot Lodge Bohler, former Tuskegee Airman, died. Bohler was born in Augusta, Georgia in 1925. He enlisted in the Army Air Force at the age of 17 and trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field, earning his wings in 1944. Bohler remained with the air force until 1947, rising to the […]