Oriental Opera Company (1892-1897)

The Oriental Opera Company (OOC), established in 1892, was one of the nation’s first all-African American opera and classical music dramatic ensembles. It was founded by Michael Graffe, a white philanthropist from Syracuse, New York. Graffe, who financed the Opera Company for its first year, … Read MoreOriental Opera Company (1892-1897)

Walden University (1865-1925)

On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment was ratified by the Congress of the United States, abolishing slavery. This pivotal moment also saw the birth of Walden University, named in honor of John Morgan Walden, the thirty-fifth Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Lebanon, … Read MoreWalden University (1865-1925)

First Missionary Baptist Church of Decatur (1866- )

First Missionary Baptist Church of Decatur was established in 1866 in northwest Alabama by 21 former slaves in the home of Ms. Jane Young under the leadership of the Rev. Alfred Peters following the Civil War and passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. … Read MoreFirst Missionary Baptist Church of Decatur (1866- )

Roger Williams University (1866-1929)

Founded as the Nashville Normal and Theological Institute and by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, a Christian missionary society from New York City, Roger Williams University (RWU) was named in honor of the abolitionists and founder of the Colony of Rhode Island. The historically … Read MoreRoger Williams University (1866-1929)

Murder Inc. Records (1998-)

Murder Inc. Records, a Hip Hop record label, 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, … Read MoreMurder Inc. Records (1998-)

E.E. Ward Moving and Storage (1881- )

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- )

Institute of the Black World (1969-1983)

The Institute of the Black World (IBW) was a collective Black intellectual think tank spearheaded by Vincent Harding, chair of History and Sociology at Spelman College, Stephen Henderson, chair of English at Morehouse College, and independent scholar William Strickland from 1969 to 1983. The institute … Read MoreInstitute of the Black World (1969-1983)

Journal of Negro History (1916- )

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- )

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (1864- )

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, established 1864, was the first African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E. church) in the state of Mississippi and the site for T.W. Stringer Grand Lodge of Freemasonry for the State of Mississippi in Vicksburg founded by Rev. T.W. Stinger in 1867, as … Read MoreBethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (1864- )