October 17, 1928, Lerone Bennett, Jr., scholar, author and social historian, was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Bennett earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in 1949 and served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1952. He joined Ebony Magazine in 1954 and for decades served as executive editor. Bennett is the […]
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October 17th in African American History – Graca Simbine Machel
October 17, 1945 Graca Simbine Machel, educator and international advocate for women’s and children’s rights, was born in Incadine, Mozambique. In 1968, Machel earned a scholarship to the University of Lisbon in Portugal where she first became involved in independence issues. She returned to Mozambique in 1973 and following the country’s independence in 1975 was […]
October 16th in African American History – Henry Jay Lewis
October 16, 1932 Henry Jay Lewis, double-bass player and orchestra conductor, was born in Los Angeles, California. Lewis began playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the clarinet and several string instruments. At the age of 16, he joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic, becoming the first black instrumentalist in […]
October 16th in African American History – The Million Man March
October 16, 1995 The Million Man March occurred in Washington, D.C.Led by the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, black men from across the country converged on Washington to “convey to the world a vastly different picture of the Black male and to unite in self-help and self-defense against the economic and social ills plaguing […]
October 15th in African American History – Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti (Fela Kuti)
October 15, 1938 Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti (Fela Kuti), multi-instrumentalist, composer, and human rights activist, was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria. In 1958, Fela was sent to London, England to study medicine, but decided to study music instead at the Trinity College of Music. In 1963, he moved back to Nigeria and formed a band. In […]
October 15th in African American History – Willie O’Ree
October 15, 1935 Willie O’Ree, the first black player in the National Hockey League, was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. O’Ree started his minor league career in 1957 and made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on January 18, 1958. He played in only two games that year and was sent back to the […]
October 14th in African American History – Charles B. Joiner, Jr.
October 14, 1947 Charles B. Joiner, Jr., hall of fame football player, was born in Many, Louisiana. Joiner played college football at Grambling State University. He graduated in 1969 and was selected by the Houston Oilers of the American Football League that same year. Over his 18 season professional career, Joiner played for the Oilers, […]