February 13, 1919 Edward Gay Robinson, hall of fame football coach, was born in Jackson, Louisiana. Robinson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Leland College in 1941 and in 1954 earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa.
February 13th in African American History – Malvin Russell Goode
February 13, 1908 Malvin Russell Goode, the first African American television news correspondent, was born in White Plains, Virginia. Goode earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh and later worked as a boys work director at the YMCA.
February 12th in African American History – Roberta Martin
February 12, 1907 Roberta Martin, gospel singer, composer, and choral organizer, was born in Helena, Arkansas, but raised in Chicago, Illinois. In 1933, Martin co-founded the Martin-Frye Quartet. In 1936, the group was renamed the Roberta Martin Singers and they set the standard for gospel choirs, recording such hits as “Only A Look” (1949) and […]
February 12th in African American History – William Felton “Bill” Russell
February 12, 1934 William Felton “Bill” Russell, hall of fame basketball player and author, was born West Monroe, Louisiana, but raised in Oakland, California. Russell led the University of San Francisco to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 and also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956.
February 11th in African American History – Jerena Lee
February 11, 1783 Jerena Lee, considered the first female preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Cape May, New Jersey. In her early 20’s, Lee was converted, sanctified and called to preach, but her first request for approval was denied. A few years later, Bishop Richard Allen granted her official church approval […]
February 10th in African American History – Grace Towns Hamilton
February 10, 1907 Grace Towns Hamilton, the first African American woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Hamilton earned her bachelor’s degree in 1927 from Atlanta University and her master’s degree in psychology from Ohio State University in 1929.
February 10th in African American History – Roberta Flack
February 10, 1937 Roberta Flack, singer, songwriter and musician, was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina. During her early teens, Flack so excelled at classical piano that Howard University awarded her a full music scholarship at the age of 15 and she graduated at the age of 19.