People, Locations, Episodes

The Lemba (Religious Community), a story

*The Lemba religious community is celebrated on this date in this date in 1000.  They are a Bantu ethnic group native to Zimbabwe and South Africa, with smaller, little-known branches in Mozambique and Malawi. According to Tudor Parfitt, Professor of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, in 2002, they numbered an estimated 50,000.  They speak the Bantu languages their geographic neighbors speak and resemble them physically. […]

The African Diaspora, a story

*The African Diaspora is affirmed on this date in 1000. This term is for the global group of communities descended from Indigenous African people from Africa, predominantly in the Americas. Many Africans scattered throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia during the Middle Passage, Trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean slave trades. The phrase most commonly refers […]

John Clarkson Jr, Soldier and Abolitionist born

*John Clarkson Jr. was born on this date in 1764. He was a white European Royal Navy officer and abolitionist. John Clarkson was born in Wisbech. His father was headmaster of Wisbech Grammar School. After his father’s death, the family lived in the town. In 1777, aged 13, he entered the Royal Navy and served […]

Thaddeus Stevens, Politician, and Abolitionist born

*Thaddeus Stevens was born on this date in 1792. He was a White American abolitionist. Stevens was born in Danville, Vermont.

Isaac Hathaway, Sculptor, and Teacher born

*The birth of Isaac Hathaway in 1872 is marked on this date. He was an African- merican Sculptor, Ceramicist, Illustrator, and Teacher.

Paul Quinn College is Founded

*On this date in 1872, Paul Quinn College (PQC) is a private Historically Black College (HBCU) in Dallas, Texas. The college is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). It is the oldest Historically Black College west of the Mississippi River and the nation’s first urban work college.  The college was founded in Waco, Texas, by a small group of African Methodist Episcopal preachers at Metropolitan […]

Marvel Cooke, Writer, Teacher, and Activist born

*On this date in 1903, Marvel Cooke was born. She was an African American journalist, writer, and civil rights activist.

Pigmeat Markham, Comedian born

On this date we mark the birth of Pigmeat Markham in 1904. He was an African American comedian.

From Durham, North Carolina, Dewey Pigmeat Markham began his long career in 1917, dancing in traveling shows. He traveled the southern ‘race’ circuit with blues singer Bessie Smith and later appeared on burlesque bills with Milton Berle, Red Buttons, and Eddie Cantor. By the 50s, Markham was one of Black America’s most popular entertainers through his shows at the Regal in Chicago, the Howard in Washington, and in particular, New York’s famed Apollo.

L. C. Bates, News Publisher born

*L.C. Bates was born on this date in 1904.  He was a Black newspaper publisher and civil rights activist.   Lucious Christopher Bates was born in Liberty, Mississippi, to Laura and Rev. Morris Bates, a farmer, carpenter, and minister.  The Bates family was some of the few Blacks in the area. Due to the position […]

Muddy Waters, Blues Musician born

*This date marks the birth of Muddy Waters in 1915. He was an African American musician, singer and cultural icon.

Maya Angelou, Writer, and Activist born

*Maya Angelou was born on this date in 1928. She was an African American poet, historian, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director.

Hugh Masekela, Trumpet Player born

*Hugh Masekela born this date in 1939.  He is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.

Richard D. Parsons, Businessman born

*Richard Parsons was born on this date in 1948.  He is a Black business executive and lawyer.  Richard Dean “Dick” Parsons was born in Brooklyn, New York.  He was one of five children. His maternal grandfather had been head groundskeeper at the John D. Rockefeller estate, Kykuit. Growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, Parsons’s […]

Martin Luther King Jr. Gives His “Beyond Vietnam” Speech

*On this date in 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “Beyond Vietnam” speech at Riverside Church, New York City. Given exactly one year before he was murdered, this was a major turning point in many powerful entities viewing the influence of this man to unite the country’s citizens.  Below is to complete text of […]

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is Assassinated

*This date marks the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

He was shot to death at the Loraine motel in Memphis, TN. He was there to support striking Black garbage workers. News of the assassination resulted in an outpouring of sorrow and anger all over the world. Riots broke out in more than 100 American cities.

In 1969, James Earl Ray pled guilty to the murder, though many believe he did not act alone.