November 9, 1964 Roger Arliner Young, the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology, died. Young was born in 1899 in Clifton Forge, Virginia and raised in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University in 1923 and her master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1926.
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November 8th in African American History – Alfre Ette Woodard
November 8, 1952 Alfre Ette Woodard, film and television actress, was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Woodard’s film appearances include “Cross Creek” (1983), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996), and “Down in the Delta” (1998). She has also appeared in a number of television […]
November 8th in African American History – Ivory Joe Hunter
November 8, 1974 Ivory Joe Hunter, R&B singer, songwriter and pianist, died. Hunter was born October 10, 1914 in Kirbyville, Texas and was a talented pianist by the age of 13. In the mid-1940s, he wrote and recorded his first song, “Blues at Sunrise,” which became a minor hit.
November 7th in African American History – Willis Richardson
November 7, 1977 Willis Richardson, playwright, died. Richardson was born November 5, 1889 in Wilmington, North Carolina but raised in Washington, D. C. In 1921, Richardson staged his first play, “The Deacon’s Awakening.” This was followed by “The Chip Woman’s Fortune” (1922), “Mortgaged” (1923), “The Broken Banjo” (1925), and “Bootblack Lover” (1926).
November 7th in African American History – Deval Patrick
November 7, 2006 Deval Patrick was elected the first African American Governor of Massachusetts and the second African American governor in the United States. Patrick was born July 31, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois and while in middle school was referred to A Better Chance, a national organization for developing leaders among academically gifted students of […]
November 6th in African American History – Juanita Hall
November 6, 1901 Juanita Hall, musical theater and film actress, was born in Keyport, New Jersey. After receiving classical training at Julliard School, she became a leading Broadway performer. She performed the role of Bloody Mary, a Pacific Islander, in the musical “South Pacific” for 1,925 performances on Broadway.
November 6th in African American History – Thandiwe Adjewa Thandie Newton
November 6, 1972 Thandiwe Adjewa “Thandie” Newton, actress, was born in London, England. Newton made her film debut in “Flirting” (1991) and gained international recognition for her role as Sally Hemings in the film “Jefferson in Paris” (1995).