December 28, 2010 Billy Taylor, jazz pianist, composer, and educator, died. Taylor was born July 24, 1921 in Greenville, North Carolina but raised in Washington D.C. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in music from Virginia State College in 1942 and later earned a master’s and Ph.D. in music education from the University of […]
Archive | December RSS feed for this section
December 27th in African American History – Vincent Dacosta Smith
December 27, 2003 Vincent Dacosta Smith, figurative painter, died. Smith was born December 12, 1929 in New York City. At the age of 15, he dropped out of high school and became a hobo working odd jobs and spending a year in the army. In 1953, he discovered his love of art and became a […]
December 27th in African American History – James Madison Nabrit, Jr.
December 27, 1997 James Madison Nabrit, Jr., civil rights lawyer, college president and deputy ambassador, died. Nabrit was born September 7, 1900 in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1923 from Morehouse College and his Doctor of Laws degree from Northwestern University in 1927. In 1936, Nabrit joined the faculty of Howard University […]
December 26th in African American History – Reginald Howard White
December 26, 2004 Reginald Howard White, hall of fame football player, died. White was born December 19, 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee and from 1980 to 1983 played for the University of Tennessee where he was an All-American. After college, he signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League and after that league […]
December 26th in African American History – Curtis Lee Mayfield
December 26, 1999 Curtis Lee Mayfield, singer, songwriter and record producer, died. Mayfield was born June 3, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1954, Mayfield dropped out of school and joined The Roosters who two years later became The Impressions. When Jerry Butler left the group, Mayfield became the lead singer. The Impressions were successful with […]
December 24th in African American History – Dave Bartholomew
December 24, 1920 Dave Bartholomew, musician, band leader, composer and arranger, was born in Edgard, Louisiana. Bartholomew has been active in many musical genres, but his partnership with Fats Domino produced some of his greatest successes. Together, they wrote and recorded more than 40 hit songs, including “Goin’ Home” (1952), “Ain’t That a Shame” (1855), […]
December 24th in African American History – Edward Christopher Williams
December 24, 1929 Edward Christopher Williams, the first African American professional librarian in the United States and author, died. Williams was born February 11, 1871 in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1892 from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University. After graduating, he was appointed assistant librarian at Hatch Library at […]