May 18, 1955 Mary Jane McLeod Bethune, educator and civil rights leader, died. Bethune was born July 10, 1875 in Mayesville, South Carolina. She attended Scotia Seminary (now Barber-Scotia College) from 1888 to 1894 and then Dwight Moody’s Institute for Home and Foreign Missions (now Moody Bible Institute). In 1904, Bethune rented a small house […]
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May 17th in African American History – Edward Franklin Frazier
May 17, 1962 Edward Franklin Frazier, sociologist, died. Frazier was born September 24, 1894 in Baltimore, Maryland. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Howard University in 1916, his Master of Arts degree in sociology from Clark University in 1920, and his Ph. D. from the University of Chicago in 1931.
May 17th in African American History – Joseph Black
May 17, 2002 Joseph Black, the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, died. Black was born February 8, 1924 in Plainfield, New Jersey. He won a baseball scholarship to Morgan State University and graduated in 1950. Black was called up to the major leagues in 1952 and was chosen National League Rookie […]
May 16th in African American History – Sammy Davis, Jr.
May 16, 1990 Sammy Davis, Jr., singer, dancer, film, and stage actor, died. Davis was born December 8, 1925 in New York City. He began performing almost as soon as he could walk as part of the vaudeville Mastin Troupe. After serving in the army, in 1955 Davis recorded his first album, “Starring Sammy Davis, […]
May 16th in African American History – Henry “Hank” Jones
May 16, 2010 Henry “Hank” Jones, jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer, died. Jones was born July 31, 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi but raised in Pontiac, Michigan. He studied piano at an early age and by the age of 13 was performing in Michigan and Ohio. In 1944, he moved to New York City and from […]
May 15th in African American History – James Van Der Zee
May 15, 1983 James Van Der Zee, Harlem Renaissance photographer, died. Van Der Zee was born June 29, 1886 in Lenox, Massachusetts. As a child, he learned piano, violin, and art. He received his first camera at the age of 14 from a magazine promotion. After moving to New York City, Van Der Zee worked […]
May 15th in African American History – Wayman Lawrence Tisdale
May 15, 2009 Wayman Lawrence Tisdale, professional basketball player and jazz bass guitarist, died. Tisdale was born June 9, 1964 in Fort Worth, Texas and played guitar at his father’s church. As a college player at the University of Oklahoma, Tisdale was the first player in history to be named a first-team All American in […]