January 21, 1913 Fannie Jackson Coppin, educator and journalist, died. Coppin was born enslaved on October 15, 1837 in Washington, D.C. She gained her freedom at the age of 12 when her aunt, who worked for $6 per month and saved $125, was able to purchase her freedom. In 1860, she enrolled at Oberlin College […]
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January 20th in African American History – Eva Jessye
January 20, 1895 Eva Jessye, the first black woman to receive international distinction as a professional choral conductor, was born in Coffeyville, Kansas. Jessye studied choral music and music theory at Western University, a now defunct historically black college, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Langston University in 1919. In 1926, she formed […]
January 20th in African American History – Curtis Charles Flood
January 20, 1997 Curtis Charles Flood, former professional baseball player, died. Flood was born January 18, 1938 in Houston, Texas and made his major league debut in 1956. Flood spent most of his 15 season professional career with the St. Louis Cardinals and was a three-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Golden Glove winner.
January 19th in African American History – Wilson Pickett
January 19, 2006 Wilson Pickett, soul singer and songwriter, died. Pickett was born March 18, 1941 in Prattville, Alabama. He grew up singing in church choirs. In 1955, he moved to Detroit, Michigan where his forceful and passionate style of singing was developed. In 1959, he joined the Falcons and in 1962 they released “I […]
January 19th in African American History – Carl Maxie Brashear
January 19, 1931 Carl Maxie Brashear, the first African American to become a United States Navy master diver, was born in Tonieville, Kentucky. Brashear enlisted in the navy in 1948 and graduated from the U.S. Navy Diving & Salvage School in 1954, becoming the first African American navy diver. In 1966, while involved in the […]
January 18th in African American History – Davis Eli “David” Ruffin
January 18, 1941 Davis Eli “David” Ruffin, former lead singer of The Temptations, was born in Whynot, Mississippi. Ruffin began singing as a young child in a family gospel group. In 1957, he moved to Detroit and recorded his first single, “You and I” (1958). Other early recordings include “I’m In Love” (1961), and “Knock […]
January 18th in African American History – Daniel Hale Williams
January 18, 1856 Daniel Hale Williams, the first African American cardiologist in the United States, was born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Williams graduated from Chicago Medical College (now Northwestern University Medical School) in 1883. In 1891, he founded Provident Hospital, the first integrated hospital in the United States, and training school for nurses in Chicago, Illinois.