February 22, 1928 Lawrence Joel, Medal of Honor recipient, was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Joel joined the United States Army in 1946 and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
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February 22nd in African American History – Ishmael Scott Reed
February 22, 1938 Ishmael Scott Reed, poet, essayist, and novelist, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but raised in Buffalo, New York. Reed attended the University of Buffalo before moving to New York City in 1962 and co-founding the “East Village Other,” a well know underground publication.
February 21st in African American History – Frederick McKinley Jones
February 21, 1961 Frederick McKinley Jones, inventor and businessman, died. Jones was born May 17, 1893 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He boosted his natural mechanical ability and inventive mind with independent reading and study.
February 21st in African American History – El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X)
February 21, 1965 El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X), Muslim minister and human rights leader, was assassinated. Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska but grew up in Lansing, Michigan.
February 20th in African American History – Nancy Wilson
February 20, 1937 Nancy Wilson, song stylist, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. At the age of 15, Wilson won a talent contest sponsored by a local television station. The prize was an appearance on a show which she ended up hosting.
February 19th in African American History – William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr.
February 19, 1940 William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr., singer, songwriter, and record producer, was born in Detroit, Michigan. In 1955, Robinson co-founded a vocal group called The Five Chimes which was later renamed the Miracles. In 1959, they were one of the first groups to sign with the newly formed Motown Records.
February 19th in African American History – Ollie Genoa Matson II
February 19, 2011 Ollie Genoa Matson II, hall of fame football player, died. Matson was born May 1, 1930 in Trinity, Texas. He played college football at the University of San Francisco and in 1951 led the nation in rushing yardage and touchdowns and was named an All-American.