People, Locations, Episodes

Horace Cayton Jr., Sociologist, and Author born

*Horace R. Cayton, Jr. was born on this date in 1903. He was an African American sociologist, newspaper columnist, and author.

From Seattle, Washington, he was the son of newspaper publisher Horace R. Cayton, Sr. and Susie Revels. His mother was daughter of Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first black American elected to the United State Senate.

Floria Pinkney, Garment Worker and Activist born

*Floria Pinkney’s birth on this date in 1903 is celebrated. She was a Black garment worker union activist and leader. Floria Pinkney was born in Connecticut. Her parents were originally from Florida and migrated to Connecticut at the turn of the century. Pinkney’s mother was a self-employed dressmaker. Shortly after Pinkney’s birth, her then-widowed mother […]

Theodore Howard, Surgeon, and Activist born

*Theodore Howard was born on this date in 1908. He was an African American surgeon, businessman and activist.

Homer Harris, Student/Athlete, and Physician born

*Homer Harris was born on this date 1916. He was an African American physician and athlete.

The Bronzeville Neighborhood (Chicago) a story

*On this date, 1920, the Bronzeville neighborhood is celebrated.  Located in Chicago, Illinois, Bronzeville comprises the Douglas, Grand Boulevard, and Oakland communities on the city’s South Side.   In the early 20th century, Bronzeville was known as the “Black Metropolis,” one of the nation’s most significant concentrations of Black businesses. The groundbreaking Pekin Theatre rose […]

Carol Millard, Singer and Actress born

*Carol Maillard was born on this date in 1951. She is a Black vocalist and actress. Maillard is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and originally attended the Catholic University of America on scholarship as a Violin Performance major. She began writing music and performing with the Drama Department and eventually changed her major to Theater. This passion […]

Mirriam Makeba, Entertainer, and Activist born

*On this date in 1932, Mirriam Makeba was born. She was a South African singer, entertainer, and activist.

From Prospect, South Africa, throughout her life and singing career, Miriam Zenzi Makeba has used her voice to draw the attention of the world to the music of South Africa and to its oppressive system of racial separation, apartheid. For eight years she attended the Kilmerton Training School in Pretoria, where she sang in the school choir. During her teenage years, Makeba helped her mother with the domestic work she did for white families.

Bobby Womack, Soul Singer born

*Bobby Womack was born on this date in 1944. He was an African American singer, producer, and composer.

Haile Gerima, Filmmaker born

*Haile Gerima was born on this date in 1946. He is an Ethiopian American filmmaker.

Born in Gondor, Ethiopia in 1946, Gerima is the fourth child of ten children. His father was a writer and his mother a teacher. As a youth Gerima performed in his father’s theater troupe, which presented original and often historical drama, always submersed in the genuine culture of Ethiopia.   Gerima came to the U.S. in 1967 to study at the Goodman School of Drama. He slowly realized that “with cinema I could control many more things than n the theatre.”

Robb Armstrong, Cartoonist born

*Robb Armstrong was on this date in 1962.  He is a Black artist and cartoonist.    Armstrong was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his mother, Dorothy, was a seamstress. He has four siblings.  He started drawing sketches of Charlie Brown at age five and lists Charles M. Schulz as one of his influences and heroes.  Armstrong […]

S. E. Hall House (St. Paul, MN) Becomes Historic Landmark

*On this date in 1991, the S. Edward Hall House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.   Located at 996 Iglehart Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, it was listed on the National Register until 2016.   It was the home of S. Edward Hall, a Black businessman and founder of the Saint Paul […]

The Blair-Caldwell Library (Denver, CO) Opens

*On this date in 2003, The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library was dedicated and opened its doors.

Located in Denver, Colorado its mission is to serve as an educational and cultural resource for the people of Denver and the world, focusing on the history, literature, art, music, religion, and politics of African Americans in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

White Judge Resigns After His Racist Remarks

*On this date in 2004, racism caused a Richmond, Virginia General District Judge to step down.

White judge Ralph B. Robertson resigned after the disclosure of racially charged comments he wrote in an Internet chat room. These included statements suggesting that Blacks have a biological tendency toward violence. He stopped hearing cases last week and filed for retirement, which is to take effect April 1st of 2004 after 19 years on the bench.

The Pan-African Parliament is founded

*On this date in 2004, The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was founded.   Also known as the African Parliament, it is the legislative body of the African Union. It held its inaugural session in March 2004. The Parliament exercises oversight and has advisory and consultative powers, having lasted for the first five years. Initially, the seat of […]