March 6, 1997 Michael Norman Manley, two-time Prime Minister of Jamaica, died. Manley was born December 10, 1924 in St. Andrew, Jamaica. He served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and graduated from the London School of Economics in 1949. In 1967, he won election to the Jamaican House of Representatives […]
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March 5th in African American History – Robert Henry Jenkins, Jr.
March 5, 1969 Robert Henry Jenkins, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient, was killed in action. Jenkins was born June 1, 1948 in Interlachen, Florida. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968 and within two months was promoted to private first class. On March 5, 1969, while serving as a Marine Gunner with […]
March 1st in African American History – Harold George “Harry” Belafonte, Jr.
March 1, 1927 Harold George “Harry” Belafonte, Jr., musician, actor and social activist, was born in New York City. Belafonte served in the United States Navy during World War II and after his discharge began his music career singing in clubs to pay for acting classes.
November 25th in African American History – Harold Lee Washington
November 25, 1987 Harold Lee Washington, the first and only African American Mayor of Chicago, died. Washington was born April 15, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Bronzeville, the epicenter of Black culture in Chicago. After service in the military, Washington earned a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt College in 1949 and a law […]
November 25th in African American History – Clerow Flip Wilson Jr
November 25, 1998 Clerow “Flip” Wilson, Jr., comedian and actor, died. Wilson was born December 8, 1933 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He lied about his age at 16 and joined the United States Air Force where his personality and funny stories made him popular. After his discharge, he became a regular at the Apollo […]
Jacob Lawrence – September 7th in African American History
September 7, 1919 Jacob Lawrence, painter and educator, was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Lawrence attended classes at the Harlem Art Workshop and earned a scholarship to the American Artist School. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served with the first racially integrated crew. Throughout his artistic career, Lawrence […]
Lewis Howard Latimer – September 4th in African American History
September 4, 1848 Lewis Howard Latimer, inventor and draftsman, was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Latimer joined the U. S. Navy at the age of 15 and after receiving an honorable discharge joined a patent law firm as a draftsman at the age of 17. In 1874, Latimer co-patented an improved toilet system for railroad cars […]