February 20, 1936 John Hope, educator and political activist, died. Hope was born June 2, 1868 in Augusta, Georgia. He graduated from Worcester Academy in 1890 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1894. In 1898, Hope became professor of classics at Atlanta Baptist College (now Morehouse College) and in 1906 […]
Archive | Education RSS feed for this section
George Boyer Vashon – August 28th in African American History
On August 28, 1844, George Boyer Vashon graduated from Oberlin College. This was historically significant, because he was the first black student ever to graduate from Oberlin. He received valedictorian honors. George Boyer Vashon was born on July 25, 1824 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He was the only son and youngest child of his parents, John […]
Ida B Wells – July 16th in African American History
On July 16, 1862, prolific writer and civil rights crusader, Ida B. Wells was born into slavery in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Ida’s mother, Elizabeth, was famous for her cooking. Ida’s father was a carpenter. His name was James. The nation’s slaves were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation six months after her birth. Both parents were […]
Spelman College – April 11th in African American History
On April 11, 1881, the first classes of what was to become Spelman College were held in the basement of an Atlanta church. Originally the college was called the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. It was sponsored by the American Baptist Women’s Home Mission Society. Spelman ultimately became the nation’s African-American women’s premiere educational institution. U.S. […]
Aaron Douglas – February 3rd in African American History
February 3, 1979 Aaron Douglas, painter and educator, died. Douglas was born May 26, 1899 in Topeka, Kansas. He developed an interest in art during his childhood. Douglas earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Nebraska in 1922.
Jerome Heartwell “Brud” Holland – January 13th in African American History
January 13, 1985 Jerome Heartwell “Brud” Holland, education administrator and diplomat, died. Holland was born January 9, 1916 in Auburn, New York. He graduated from Cornell University, where he was the first African American to play on the football team and an All-American in 1937, 1938, and 1939. Despite his athletic abilities, the National Football […]
Wilberforce University – July 10th in African American History
July 10, 1863, marks the incorporation date of Wilberforce University, the first private institution of higher education for African Americans. Wilberforce University actually has a history that pre-dates this important milestone. Before the Civil War began in 1861, the school was a site of abolitionist activity and education for African Americans. Methodist abolitionists founded the […]