Joseph Bernardo, Author at

Independent Historian

Joseph Bernardo received a Ph.D. in History at the University of Washington, Seattle in 2014, focusing on Asian American history, race in the American west, and Philippine history. He earned a BA in Global & International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2001 and an MA in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University in 2003. After graduating from San Francisco State, he worked for four years at the Office of Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti.

Calvin Augustine Hoffman Waller (1937-1996)

Calvin Augustine Hoffman Waller was a United States Army officer who rose to prominence as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief for military operations with United States Central Command (Forward), during the Persian Gulf War (1990-1991). He became at that time one of the highest-ranking African American officers in the U.S. military. … Read MoreCalvin Augustine Hoffman Waller (1937-1996)

Riley Leroy Pitts (1937-1967)

Riley Leroy Pitts was a United States Army captain and the first African American officer to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the medal posthumously in 1968 for his exceptional heroism during the Vietnam War. Pitts was born on October … Read MoreRiley Leroy Pitts (1937-1967)

George W. Hickman Jr. (1924–2012)

George W. Hickman Jr. was a Tuskegee airman during the World War II. Later in his life, he was a fixture at Seattle sporting events, working as an usher at University of Washington games and Seattle Seahawks football games. A grandson to slaves, George Hickman … Read MoreGeorge W. Hickman Jr. (1924–2012)

Clayton Pitre (1924-2020)

Clayton Pitre was a longtime Seattle, Washington-based community activist, former Chief Housing Developer for the Central Area Motivation Project (CAMP), and a retired Montford Point Marine. Born on June 30, 1924, to Gilbert Pitre and Eugenie Lemelle, Clayton Pitre was the fourth child of seven … Read MoreClayton Pitre (1924-2020)

Robert Charles Riots (1900)

The Robert Charles Riots began when whites in New Orleans, Louisiana became infuriated after Robert Charles, an African-American, shot several white police officers on July 23, 1900. A manhunt for Charles began after he fled after an altercation with New Orleans police officers. The race … Read MoreRobert Charles Riots (1900)

Don H. Barden (1943-2011)

Donald Hamilton Barden was one of the nation’s most successful black businessmen and the first black owner of a major Las Vegas Casino. He earned most of his wealth through the casino, cable television, and real estate industries. He also started a record company, worked … Read MoreDon H. Barden (1943-2011)

Frank W. Ballance, Jr. (1942- )

Frank W. Ballance, Jr., was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2004, representing the 1st Congressional District in North Carolina. Prior to his tenure as a member of Congress, Ballance served in the North Carolina State House of Representatives … Read MoreFrank W. Ballance, Jr. (1942- )

Marcia Fudge (1952- )

Marcia Fudge is now the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Joseph Biden Administration. Before then she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 11th Congressional District of Ohio since November 2008. She was the first female African American … Read MoreMarcia Fudge (1952- )

Heman Marion Sweatt (1912-1982)

Heman Marion Sweatt was a postal worker from Houston, Texas, who integrated the University of Texas (UT) Law School in 1950. Sweatt was born on December 11, 1912 in Houston, Texas. He was the fourth child of James Leonard and Ella Rose Sweatt. In 1930, … Read MoreHeman Marion Sweatt (1912-1982)

Eric Pettigrew (1960- )

Eric Pettigrew is the former Washington State Representative for the 37th Legislative District representing Southeast Seattle, Washington and its suburbs. Representative Pettigrew grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After graduating from Nogales High School in the City of Industry, California, he enrolled in Oregon … Read MoreEric Pettigrew (1960- )