July 16, 1998 John Henrik Clarke, Pan-Africanist writer, historian, and professor, died. Clarke was born January 1, 1915 in Union Springs, Alabama. In 1933, Clarke left the South and moved to Harlem where he joined study circles like the Harlem History Club and the Harlem Writers’ Workshop. He was a “self-educated intellectual.” Clarke was co-founder […]
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July 15th in African American History – Johnny Lee Stallworth
July 15, 1952 Johnny Lee Stallworth, hall of fame football player, was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Stallworth played college football at Alabama A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1974. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 NFL Draft and over his 14 season professional […]
July 15th in African American History – Forest Steven Whitaker
July 15, 1961 Forest Steven Whitaker, actor, producer and director, was born in Longview, Texas. Whitaker’s family moved to Los Angeles in 1965 due to racism. While in high school, Whitaker took voice lessons, performed in musicals, and caught the “acting bug.” Whitaker was accepted into the Music Conservatory at the University of Southern California […]
July 14th in African American History – Robert Lee Elder
July 14, 1934 Robert Lee Elder, the first African American to play in the Masters Golf Tournament, was born in Dallas, Texas. Elder dropped out of high school and worked as a caddy where he developed his game by watching his clients. In 1959, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served […]
July 14th in African American History – Ronald McKinley Everett
July 14, 1941 Ronald McKinley Everett (Ron or Maulana Karenga), the creator of Kwanza, was born in Parsonsburg, Maryland. Karenga earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in political science from the University of California in 1963 and 1964, respectively. In 1976, he was awarded his first Ph.D. from United States International […]
July 13th in African American History – Gerald Edward Levert
July 13, 1966 Gerald Edward Levert, singer, songwriter, and producer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but raised in Cleveland, Ohio. While in high school, Levert formed the group LeVert in 1984. Four of the group’s seven albums, “I Get Her” (1985), “Bloodline” (1986), “The Big Throwdown” (1987), and “Just Coolin’” (1988), went platinum. In 1991, […]
July 13th in African American History – Vernon Joseph Baker
July 13, 2010 Vernon Joseph Baker, Medal of Honor recipient, died. Baker was born December 17, 1919 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He graduated from high school and worked several menial jobs before enlisting in the United States Army in 1941. After completing Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1943. In 1944, […]