October 27, 1987 John Oliver Killens, novelist, died. Killens was born January 14, 1916 in Macon, Georgia. He attended a number of institutions of higher learning, including Morris Brown College, Howard University, and Columbia University, but never earned a degree. After serving in the military, Killens moved to New York City in 1948 to focus […]
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October 27th in African American History – Roy Rudolph DeCarava
October 27, 2009 Roy Rudolph DeCarava, photographer, died. DeCarava was born December 9, 1919 in Harlem, New York. He determined early that he wanted to be an artist and initially worked as a painter and commercial illustrator. Eventually he was drawn to photography and in 1955 opened A Photographer’s Gallery, pioneering an effort to win […]
October 26th in African American History – Louise Beavers
October 26, 1962 Louise Beavers, stage, film, and television actress, died. Beavers was born March 8, 1902 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her initial acting experience was gained on the stage where she sang in many musical comedies.
October 26th in African American History – Hattie McDaniel
October 26, 1952 Hattie McDaniel, the first Black performer to win an Academy Award, died. McDaniel was born June 10, 1895 in Wichita, Kansas. She was a professional singer/songwriter, comedienne, stage and movie actress, and radio performer. Over the course of her career she appeared in more than 300 films, often portraying a maid. In […]
October 25th in African American History – Emmett W Chappelle
October 25, 1925 Emmett W. Chappelle, scientist and researcher, was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Chappelle earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of California in 1950 and a master’s degree from the University of Washington in 1954. From 1950 to 1953, he served as a biochemistry instructor at Meharry Medical College […]
October 25th in African American History – Abebe Bikila
October 25, 1973 Abebe Bikila, two-time Olympic marathon champion, died. Bikila was born August 7, 1932 in the village of Jato, Ethiopia. At the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, Bikila won the marathon in world record time, becoming the first Black African to win an Olympic Gold Medal.
October 24th in African American History – Jack Roosevelt Jackie Robinson
October 24, 1972 Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson, the first African American Major League Baseball player of the modern era, died. Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. After graduating from Pasadena Junior College in 1939, Robinson transferred to UCLA where he became the school’s first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports, […]