March 17, 1898 Blanche Kelso Bruce, the first elected African American United States senator to serve a full term, died. Bruce was born enslaved on March 1, 1841 in Prince Edward County, Virginia. Because his father was white, he was able to legally free Bruce and arrange for a trade apprenticeship.
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James H. Bronson – March 16th in African American History
March 16, 1884 James H. Bronson, Medal of Honor recipient, died. Bronson was born enslaved in 1838 in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
Sam John “Lightnin” Hopkins – March 15th in African American History
March 15, 1912 Sam John “Lightnin” Hopkins, country blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, was born in Centreville, Texas. Hopkins developed a deep appreciation of the blues at the age of eight, but did not make his first recording until 1946.
Quincy Delight Jones, Jr. – March 14th in African American History
March 14, 1933 Quincy Delight Jones, Jr., trumpeter, music conductor and arranger, record producer, and film composer, was born in Chicago, Illinois. In 1951, Jones won a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, but abandoned his studies when he received an offer to play in the band of Lionel Hampton.
John Melville Burgess – March 11th in African American History
March 11, 1909 John Melville Burgess, the first African American diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Burgess earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in social work from the University of Michigan in 1930 and 1931, respectively.
Vernon Ferdinand Dahmer, Sr. – March 10th in African American History
March 10, 1908 Vernon Ferdinand Dahmer, Sr., civil rights leader, was born in Forrest County, Mississippi. A successful businessman, Dahmer owned a store, sawmill, and a 200 acre farm. He served several terms as president of the Forrest County Chapter of the NAACP and led voter registration drives during the 1960s.
Ornette Coleman – March 9th in African American History
March 9, 1930 Ornette Coleman, jazz saxophonist, trumpeter and composer, was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Coleman began touring with rhythm and blues shows in 1949 and in 1958 led his first recording session, “Something Else!!!!: The Music of Ornette Coleman.”