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.
Jemel Roberson was born to Beatrice and John Roberson in South Africa on April 4, 1992. Soon afterwards the family moved to Chicago, Illinois where Roberson grew up. His friends and family remember him as a playful and caring child. Roberson attended Lane Tech Prep … Read MoreJemel Roberson (1992-2018)
Markeis McGlockton was an artist who could draw virtually anything. He was a loving father to three children with his girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, and an aspiring rapper who loved making music videos with his friends. McGlockton was born to Monica Moore-Robinson and Michael McGlockton on … Read MoreMarkeis McGlockton (1990-2018)
Beatrice Coleman was a pioneering civil rights activist in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1946 she challenged Jim Crow segregation in the city by calling for the enforcement of a recently-enacted anti-discrimination law. In 1952 Coleman was one of the founding members of the Fairbanks chapter of … Read MoreBeatrice Coleman (1908-1982)
Anthony Weber was fatally shot by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies in Westmont, California, on February 4, 2018. He was sixteen years old. Weber, known as “A.J.” to his friends and family, was born on July 30, 2001, to John Weber and Demetra Johnson. He … Read MoreAnthony Weber (2001-2018)
Mantan Moreland was an American actor, most popular for his role as the “google-eyed” chauffeur “Birmingham Brown” in the Charlie Chan movies. Moreland was born On September 3, 1902 to Marcella and Frank Moreland in Ouachita Parish, Monroe, Louisiana. He began running away from home … Read MoreMantan Moreland (1902-1973)
Ernest Frederick Morrison was the first black child movie star signed to a long-term contract and is most famous for his role in the Our Gang/ Little Rascals series. Morrison was born on December 20, 1912 to Louise (Lewis) and Joseph Ernest Morrison, in New … Read MoreErnest Frederick Morrison (1912-1989)
Patrick Harmon was shot and killed by Salt Lake City police officer Clinton Fox on August 13, 2017, after being pulled over by another officer for bicycle infractions. The shooting, as well as the subsequent decision by the Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, … Read MorePatrick Harmon (1967-2017)
Loletha Elayne Falana, famously known as actress, singer, dancer and model Lola Falana, was born on September 11, 1942 in Camden, New Jersey. Falana’s mother and father are of African-American and Afro-Cuban heritage respectively. Falana was born the third of six children and got her … Read MoreLola Falana (1942- )
Best known for his role as President of the Pacific Northwest Black Community Festival, Michael Leroy Taylor spent most of his life working and volunteering in the two communities he lived in: Monroe, Michigan, and Seattle, Washington. Born in Monroe, Michigan on June 26, 1950, … Read MoreMichael Leroy Taylor (1950-2020)
Richard “Cannonball Dick” Redding was a pitcher, outfielder, and manager in the Negro Leagues. Redding was born on April 15, 1893 in Atlanta, Georgia. Much of his early life is unknown. Redding’s baseball career started in 1911 when at 18 he played with the Philadelphia … Read MoreRichard “Cannonball Dick” Redding (1893-1948)
