July 26, 1992 Mary Esther Wells, singer and “The Queen of Motown,” died. Wells was born May 13, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. By the age of 10, she had moved from singing in church choirs to performing in nightclubs around Detroit. In 1960, she was signed to Tamla Records, a subsidiary of Motown, and wrote […]
Archive | African American History RSS feed for this section
July 22nd in African American History – Lonette McKee
July 22, 1954 Lonette McKee, singer, songwriter, composer, and actress, was born in Detroit, Michigan. McKee was a child prodigy, writing music, singing, and playing keyboards at the age of seven. At 15, McKee wrote the title song for the film “Quadroon.” McKee began her film career in the movie “Sparkle” (1976). Other films include […]
July 22nd in African American History – Timothy Donell Brown
July 22, 1966 Timothy Donell Brown, former professional football player, was born in Dallas, Texas. Brown played college football at Notre Dame from 1984 to 1987 and was an All-American twice. In 1987, he won the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in college football, becoming the first wide receiver to win the award.
July 21st in African American History – Elijah Jerry “Pumpsie” Green
July 21, 1959 Elijah Jerry “Pumpsie” Green entered the baseball game as a pinch-runner for the Boston Red Sox, making him the first Black player for the last major league baseball team to integrate. On April 17, 2009, Green was honored by the Red Sox in a first-pitch ceremony, in recognition of 50 years since […]
July 21st in African American History – Albert John Lutuli
July 21, 1967 Albert John Lutuli, South African teacher and politician, died. Lutuli was born around 1898 in Bulawayo, South Rhodesia. After completing a teaching course, Lutuli began running a small primary school in the Natal uplands. In 1920, he received a government scholarship to attend a higher teacher’s training course at Adams College and […]
July 20th in African American History – Okot p’Bitek
July 20, 1982 Okot p’Bitek, internationally recognized Ugandan poet, died. Okot was born in 1931 in Gulu, Uganda. He was educated at King’s College, Budo and later studied education at the University of Bristol and then law at the University of Wales. In 1963, he earned his Bachelor of Letters degree in social anthropology at […]
July 20th in African American History – Everett Frederick Morrow
July 20, 1994 Everett Frederick Morrow, businessman and the first African American to hold an executive position at the White House, died. Morrow was born April 20, 1906 in Hackensack, New Jersey. Morrow graduated from Bowdoin College in 1930 and was employed by the National Urban League and the NAACP as field secretary before entering […]