Beatrice Johnson

Independent Historian

Beatrice Johnson is an Independent Historian and Freelance Writer in Lore City, Ohio. She earned a BA degree in Communication from the University of Tulsa and an MBA degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Johnson is a contributing writer for the book Before I Got Here: The Wondrous Things We Hear When We Listen To The Souls Of Our Children edited by Blair Underwood. Her research interests include her grandfather Bishop William Decker Johnson and her uncle Reverend Benjamin Harrison Hill, among others.

Benjamin Harrison Hill (1903-1971)

Benjamin Harrison Hill was a legislator, teacher, and African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister born in Sidney, Nova Scotia, Canada on November 1, 1903 to Joseph L. Hill, a laborer in the steel mill industry and Anna E. Hill, a servant for a private family. Hill … Read MoreBenjamin Harrison Hill (1903-1971)

Henry Mason (1931-2020)

Henry “Pistol” Mason was the first Black baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia farm team, the Schenectady Blue Jays in 1955. Mason was born on June 19, 1931 in Marshall, Missouri to Tansie and Anna Mason. His father was a laborer in a rock quarry and … Read MoreHenry Mason (1931-2020)

Norman Thomas “Turkey” Stearnes (1901-1979)

Norman “Turkey” Stearnes was one of the Negro League Baseball’s (NBL) most feared hitters. Born on May 8, 1901 in Nashville, Tennessee to Will S. and Mary (Everett), Stearnes, his mother was a cook for a private family earning $7 a week and was listed … Read MoreNorman Thomas “Turkey” Stearnes (1901-1979)

Charlie Wilson (1953- )

American singer, songwriter, and producer, Charles Kent Wilson, best known as Charlie Wilson, was born on January 29, 1953 to Reverend Oscar and Lucy Wilson in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His father was a Church of God in Christ minister. His mother was a pianist and minister … Read MoreCharlie Wilson (1953- )

Herbert Alphonso “Rap” Dixon (1902-1944)

Herbert Alphonso Dixon was a Negro Baseball League (NBL) baseball outfielder. Nicknamed “Rap,” Dixon was born on September 15, 1902 in Kingston, Georgia to John and Rose Goodwin Dixon. Both of Dixon’s parents were born in Georgia; his father John was a laborer at a … Read MoreHerbert Alphonso “Rap” Dixon (1902-1944)

Alfre Woodard (1952- )

Alfre Ette Woodard, an American actress, producer, and political activist, was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer/ wildcat oil driller and Constance “Connie” B. Robinson Woodard, a homemaker. Woodard’s parents once operated a nursing home. She … Read MoreAlfre Woodard (1952- )

Tyler Perry (1969- )

Tyler Perry is a world-renowned actor, director, producer, writer, and philanthropist. Born Emmitt Perry, Jr. on September 13, 1969 to Willie Maxine Campbell Perry and Emmitt Perry, Sr. in New Orleans, Louisiana, Perry changed his name to Tyler to distance himself from his father. Perry’s … Read MoreTyler Perry (1969- )

William Decker Johnson (1869-1936)

William Decker Johnson was the 42nd Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and founder of Johnson Home Industrial College in Archery, Georgia. Born November 15th, 1869 in Glasgow, Thomas County, Georgia to Reverend Andrew Jackson Johnson and Mattie McCullough. Both parents were former … Read MoreWilliam Decker Johnson (1869-1936)

Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church (1905- )

Vernon African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is located at 311 North Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Vernon is the only remaining edifice from the worst race massacre in American history in 1921 and the only black-owned structure from the Historic Black Wall Street era. It … Read MoreVernon African Methodist Episcopal Church (1905- )

George “Mule” Suttles (1901-1966)

George “Mule” Suttles was a power-hitting first baseman in the Negro Baseball League (NBL). Born on March 31, 1901 to James Suttles, a laborer in the coal mines and Early Griffin Suttles, occupation unknown, in Blocton, Alabama. Suttles worked in the coal mines during his … Read MoreGeorge “Mule” Suttles (1901-1966)