June 19, 1865, or Juneteenth, was the day the African American slaves in Texas received notice by Union Major-General Gordon Granger that they were forever free. President Abraham Lincoln, assassinated earlier in April of that year, had signed the Emancipation Proclamation that went into effect on January 1, 1863, freeing all the slaves in the […]
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Wesley A Brown – June 3rd in African American History
June 3rd, in 1949, Wesley A Brown graduated from the US Naval Academy, becoming the first African American to do so. The Annapolis Naval Academy had never, before this date, witnessed an African American succeed beyond the first academic year. Brown received his commission as a naval officer on this momentous occasion, joining one of […]
We’re All in The Same Gang – May 16th in African American History
May 16, 1990, “We’re All in the Same Gang,” a single promoting anti violence, was released. “We’re All in the Same Gang” was a single by the West Coast Rap All-Stars, a coalition of prominent west coast hip-hop stars who came together to preach the word of unity, and raise funds for inner-city youth projects. The […]
Jackie Robinson #42 – April 15th in African American History
Jackie Robinson Day Baseball fans may find themselves doing double-takes while watching a major-league game on April 15, seeing the number “42” on the back of every uniform. The reason? April 15th is “Jackie Robinson Day,” marking the anniversary of Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, ending over six decades of racial segregation […]
Charles White – April 2nd in African American History
April 2, 1918 Charles White, graphic artist and educator, was born in Chicago, Illinois. White became interested in art by the age of seven and at 14 was working as a sign painter. White earned a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago and graduated in 1937. After graduation, he joined the Works Project Administration […]
Janet Harmon Waterford Bragg – March 24th in African American History
March 24, 1907 Janet Harmon Waterford Bragg, the first African American female to hold a commercial pilot license, was born in Griffin, Georgia. Bragg became interested in flying as a young girl, but attended Spelman College and qualified as a registered nurse in 1929. After graduating, she moved to Chicago, Illinois to work as a […]
Channing Phillips – March 23rd in African American History
March 23, 1928 Channing E. Phillips, minister, social activist and the first African American placed in nomination for President of the United States by a major party, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Phillips was a founding member of the Coalition of Conscience, a conglomeration of local organizations working to alleviate social problems in Washington, […]