The following are short descriptions of the groups and organizations which have contributed to the shaping of African American history. These encyclopedia entries serve as a starting point for much more inclusive descriptions and discussions that appear in other sources. For additional information please consult the print or website sources cited in the entry.
The Golden 14 were the first Black women to muster into the United States Navy. First recognized by scholar Kelly Miller in his 1919 book “Kelly Miller’s History of the World War for Human Rights,” but subsequently nearly lost to history after the war, the … Read MoreThe Golden 14 (1918-1919)
The 5th Regiment Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Cavalry was a Union Army cavalry regiment during the Civil War. The cavalry regiment was organized at Camp Meigs, Readville, Massachusetts, during the Fall of 1863. On January 9, 1864, Company A was mustered into service, and by May … Read More5th Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment (1864-1865)
The Arnells, a female doo-wop ensemble that also performed as The Teenettes Variations, were all from all-girls Joseph Battin High School in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey. The short-lived but talented group, established in 1963, met in the high school corridors. They rehearsed after school … Read MoreThe Arnells (1963-1964)
Murder Inc Records, a Hip Hop record, was founded by brothers Chris Gotti and Irving Domingo “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo Jr. in 1998. It signed artists such as Jeffery Bruce “Ja Rule” Atkins, Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas, Tiffany “Charli Baltimore” Lane, Ramel Leroy “Black Child” Gill, Lloyd … Read MoreMurder Inc. Records (1998-)
E.E. Ward Moving and Storage, recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the oldest continuously operating Black-owned business in the United States, was founded in 1881 by William Ward and his father, John T. Ward. The company’s beginning included two helpers, a team of … Read MoreE.E. Ward Moving and Storage (1881- )
Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is a soul and funk band that was best known for their 1973 hit song “Express Yourself.” The group consists of members Charles Wright, Al McKay, Benorce Blackmon, Gabe Flemings, Melvin Dunlap, James Godson, Big John … Read MoreCharles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (1962- )
On January 1, 1916, The Journal of Negro History (now The Journal of African American History), an award-winning peer viewed journal and the official periodical published by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, was founded as a quarterly research journal … Read MoreJournal of Negro History (1916- )
De La Soul is a hip-hop trio that consists of Kelvin “Posdnous” Mercer, Kevin Jude “Trugoy” Jolicoeur, and Vincent Lamont “Maseo” Mason Jr., all from the Amityville area of Long Island, New York. De La Soul was formed in 1988 and released its first album, … Read MoreDe La Soul (1988- )
Naughty By Nature is a hip-hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey which includes Anthony “Trench” Criss, Vincent “Vin Rock” Brown, and Keir Lamont “DJ Kay Gee” Gist. They became a trio in 1986. The group’s original name was The New Style, but it later … Read MoreNaughty By Nature (1986- )
Kid ‘n’ Play is an American Hip Hop duo that consists of Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin. The two met while performing in rival high school groups, the Turnout Brothers and the Super Lovers, in New York City. The duo’s original name was … Read MoreKid ‘n’ Play (1984- )
