The following are short descriptions of the women and men who 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.
Danita Johnson is a business executive affiliated with the WNBA, NBA, and NBA G leagues. In December 2020, Johnson was appointed as the third woman and the first Black person to serve as a Major League Soccer (MLS) team president of business operations, for the … Read MoreDanita Johnson (1984- )
Jesse Johnson is the current Washington State Representative for the 30th Legislative District representing the cities of Federal Way, Des Moines, Auburn, Algona, Pacific, and Milton, as well as unincorporated parts of King County and a small part of Pierce County. Rep. Johnson grew up in Federal Way, Washington. His mother … Read MoreJesse Johnson (1989- )
Muriel E. Bowser is the 8th Mayor of Washington, D.C. On November 6, 2018, Bowser became the first woman ever re-elected as the Mayor of Washington, D.C. and the first mayor to earn a second term in 16 years. Bowser is the second female mayor of … Read MoreMuriel Elizabeth Bowser (1972- )
Cecilia Elena Rouse, an American labor economist and dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, is President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). Confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she is the first African American … Read MoreCecilia Rouse (1963- )
Yvonne Denis-Rosario, columnist, librettist, narrator, novelist, poet, professor, radio/ TV host and producer, was born March 9, 1967 in San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR) to Alejandrina Rosario Román, a public employee, and Juan Denis Estrada, a dry cleaning business owner. One of seven siblings, her … Read MoreYvonne Denis-Rosario, (1967- )
George Watson was a United States Army private who during World War II was responsible for rescuing several soldiers from drowning at sea near Porlock, Harbor, New Guinea. Watson was born in 1915 in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Colorado A&M University (now Colorado State University) … Read MoreGeorge Watson (1915-1943)
Fred Whitfield is the President, Chief Operating Officer, and minority co-owner of the Charlotte Hornets, a franchise in the National Basketball Association. Whitfield shares ownership with his longtime friend and basketball great Michael Jordan. Together they are the only African American owners in the league. … Read MoreFred Whitfield (1959- )
Fred “Curly” Neal was a basketball legend for the world famous Harlem Globetrotters and became a global icon while representing the sport around the world. During his 22-year career with the Harlem Globetrotters, Neal played more than 6,000 basketball games in 97 countries. He adopted … Read MoreFred “Curly” Neal (1942-2020)
Melanie Morgan is the current Washington State Representative for the 29th Legislative District representing South Tacoma, East Lakewood, Springbrook, Parkland, Spanaway, and West Fredrickson. Representative Morgan grew up in international locations. She then served in the US Army. She attended Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, … Read MoreMelanie Morgan (1967- )
Michael Stewart was a New York City graffiti artist who died following an incident with the city’s transit police. Although not much is known about his early life, Stewart’s death entered the media on September 15, 1983 at 2:00 a.m. He was accused of writing … Read MoreMichael Stewart (1958-1983)
