People, Locations, Episodes

Michael Schwerner, Activist born

*Michael Schwerner was born on this date in1939.  He was a Jewish American civil rights activist. 

Emmett Till, Teenage ‘Hate Crime’ Victim born

Emmett Till was born on this date in 1941. He was a young African American boy whose murder is still a graphic reminder of the volume of 20th century white racial hate in America against Black people.

Emmett Louis “Bobo” Till was from Chicago, the son of Mamie Carthan and Louis Till. His parents separated in 1942, and Mamie largely raised him. His father was drafted into the United States Army to fight in World War II in 1943. He was accused of and executed by the U.S. Army for raping two Italian women and murdering a third.

James Chaney, Activist born

On this date we remember the birth of James Chaney, an African American civil rights activist, in 1943.

Chaney was born in Meridian, MS, the son of Ben and Fannie Lee Chaney. His parents instilled a strong and resilient sense of racial pride in him at an early age. In 1959, he and a group of friends were suspended from high school for wearing buttons criticizing the local chapter of the NAACP for its unresponsiveness to racial issues. Chaney was expelled a year later for a similar incident and went to work with his father as a plasterer.

Andrew Goodman, Activist born

Andrew Goodman was born on this date 1943. He was a Jewish American civil rights activist.

Amie Bramme Sey, Media Journalist born

*Amie Bramme Sey was born on this date in 1987. She is an Afro Swedish multi-media host and programmer. Ami-Miriam “Amie” Bramme Sey was born in Stockholm and grew up in Södermalm as the daughter of Maudo Sey and sister of the singers Seinabo Sey (half-sister) and Fatima Bramme Sey. She has studied at Södertörn […]

Seinabo Sey, Singer born

*Seinabo Sey was born on this date in 1990. She is an Afro Swedish (Black Swede) singer. Seinabo Sey was born in Södermalm, Stockholm. She is of both Swedish and Gambian ancestry. At eight, she moved to Halmstad, Sweden, and attended Östergårdsskolans music program for musically gifted teenagers. Sey was inspired musically by artists such as Alicia Keys and Beyoncé early […]

Amanda Gorman, Poet born

*Amanda Gorman was born on this date in 1998.  She is a Black poet and activist. Amanda S. C. Gorman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1998 and was raised by her mother, Joan Wicks, a teacher, with her two siblings. She has a twin sister, Gabrielle, who is a filmmaker. Gorman has said she grew […]