July 27, 1999 Harry “Sweets” Edison, jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger, died. Edison was born October 10, 1915 in Columbus, Ohio. At the age of 12, he began playing the trumpet with local bands. In 1937, he moved to New York City and joined the Count Basie Orchestra where he came to prominence as a […]
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July 26th in African American History – Charles Albert Tindley
July 26, 1933 Charles Albert Tindley, gospel music composer and Methodist minister, died. Tindley was born July 7, 1851 in Berlin, Maryland. At birth, Tindley’s father was enslaved, but his mother was free, therefore he was considered free. Tindley was primarily self-educated, but he did attend night courses and took correspondence courses as the Boston […]
July 26th in African American History – Mary Esther Wells
July 26, 1992 Mary Esther Wells, singer and “The Queen of Motown,” died. Wells was born May 13, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. By the age of 10, she had moved from singing in church choirs to performing in nightclubs around Detroit. In 1960, she was signed to Tamla Records, a subsidiary of Motown, and wrote […]
July 22nd in African American History – Lonette McKee
July 22, 1954 Lonette McKee, singer, songwriter, composer, and actress, was born in Detroit, Michigan. McKee was a child prodigy, writing music, singing, and playing keyboards at the age of seven. At 15, McKee wrote the title song for the film “Quadroon.” McKee began her film career in the movie “Sparkle” (1976). Other films include […]
July 22nd in African American History – Timothy Donell Brown
July 22, 1966 Timothy Donell Brown, former professional football player, was born in Dallas, Texas. Brown played college football at Notre Dame from 1984 to 1987 and was an All-American twice. In 1987, he won the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in college football, becoming the first wide receiver to win the award.
July 21st in African American History – Elijah Jerry “Pumpsie” Green
July 21, 1959 Elijah Jerry “Pumpsie” Green entered the baseball game as a pinch-runner for the Boston Red Sox, making him the first Black player for the last major league baseball team to integrate. On April 17, 2009, Green was honored by the Red Sox in a first-pitch ceremony, in recognition of 50 years since […]
July 21st in African American History – Albert John Lutuli
July 21, 1967 Albert John Lutuli, South African teacher and politician, died. Lutuli was born around 1898 in Bulawayo, South Rhodesia. After completing a teaching course, Lutuli began running a small primary school in the Natal uplands. In 1920, he received a government scholarship to attend a higher teacher’s training course at Adams College and […]