April 26, 1988 Frederick Douglass Patterson, founder of the United Negro College Fund, died. Patterson was born October 10, 1901 in Washington, D. C. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Prairie View State College in 1919, a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1923, a Master of Science degree from Iowa State […]
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Rosemary Brown – April 26th in African American History
April 26, 2003 Rosemary Brown, the first black woman in Canada to be elected to public office, died. Brown was born May 17, 1930 in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to Canada to attend McGill University. During the 1960s, she worked in social work for various organizations in Canada. In 1972, she was elected to the […]
Ella Jane Fitzgerald – April 25th in African American History
April 25, 1917 Ella Jane Fitzgerald, jazz and pop vocalist also known as the “First Lady of Song,” was born in Newport News, Virginia. Fitzgerald made her singing debut at the age of 17 at the Apollo Theater and won the first prize of $25.00. In 1935, she began singing with the Chick Webb Orchestra […]
Dexter Keith Gordon – April 25th in African American History
April 25, 1990 Dexter Keith Gordon, jazz tenor saxophonist and actor, died. Gordon was born February 27, 1923 in Los Angeles, California. He played the clarinet from the age of 13 before switching to the saxophone at 15. Between 1940 and 1943, Gordon was a member of the Lionel Hampton Band and in 1943 he […]
Djimon Gaston Hounsou – April 24th in African American History
April 24, 1964 Djimon Gaston Hounsou, actor and model, was born in Cotonou, Benin. Hounsou made his film debut in the 1990 film “Without You I’m Nothing” but his breakthrough came with his portrayal of Cinque in the 1997 film “Amistad.” For that role he received wide critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Leon Howard Sullivan – April 24th in African American History
April 24, 2001 Leon Howard Sullivan, minister, civil rights leader, and activist, died. Sullivan was born October 16, 1922 in Charleston, West Virginia. He was ordained a Baptist minister at the age of 18. Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia State University in 1943 and a Master of Arts degree in […]
April 23rd in African American History – Narada Michael Walden
April 23, 1952 Narada Michael Walden, drummer, vocalist, songwriter and producer, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating from college, in 1976 Walden released his debut album, “Garden of Love Light” and in 1979 he released his breakthrough album, “The Awakening.” Other albums from Walden include “Confidence” (1982), “The Nature of Things” (1985), and “Sending […]