Lucy Burnett, Author at

Independent Historian

Lucy Burnett graduated from the University of Washington in 2009, with a degree in History. Her focus has been on Seattle Labor History during the 1930’s and 1940’s, leading her to pursue independent research on the Pacific Northwest Labor College and the Seattle chapter of the Civil Rights Congress. In 2008 she studied abroad in Bosnia-Herzegovina in a program exploring post-conflict societies, and is planning further study in the region.

Amílcar Lopes Cabral (1924-1973)

Amílcar Cabral, also known as Abel Djassi, was a leader in the struggle for independence in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. Cabral was a writer, agronomic engineer, and Marxist nationalist. He was born on September 12, 1924, in Bafata, Portuguese Guinea. His father, Juvenal Cabral was … Read MoreAmílcar Lopes Cabral (1924-1973)

Ralph Gardner-Chavis (1922- )

Ralph Alexander Gardner, hard plastics pioneer and one of the scientists and technicians who worked on the Manhattan Project which developed the atomic bomb, was born December 3, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, son of Vivian and Clarence Gardner. Gardner developed an early love of chemistry, … Read MoreRalph Gardner-Chavis (1922- )

Jerry Rawlings (1947- 2020)

Jerry John Rawlings, former military and political leader in Ghana, was twice head of state, and twice toppled unstable Ghanaian governments. He was born in Accra on June 22, 1947 to Scottish pharmacist James Ramsay John and Ghanaian mother Victoria Agbotui although he was never … Read MoreJerry Rawlings (1947- 2020)

Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) 1965

The Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) was founded by Malcolm X, John Henrik Clarke, and other Black nationalist leaders on June 24, 1964 in Harlem, New York. Formed shortly after his break with the Nation of Islam, the OAAU was a secular institution that sought … Read MoreOrganization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) 1965

Alex Manly (1866-1944)

Alex Manly was editor of the Daily Record, a black newspaper from Wilmington, North Carolina at the time of the Wilmington Riot in 1898. Manly was born near Raleigh, North Carolina in 1866. He was reportedly a descendent of Governor Charles Manly and Corrine Manly, … Read MoreAlex Manly (1866-1944)

Joseph C. Price (1854-1893)

Joseph Charles Price, founder and first president of Livingston College, in North Carolina, was born free on February 10, 1854 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. His mother, a free black woman named Emily Paulin, moved with her son to New Bern, North Carolina which was … Read MoreJoseph C. Price (1854-1893)

Mirambo (ca. 1840-1884)

Mytela Kasanda, or Mirambo, was a Nyamwezi warlord who gained control of much of east central Africa. He was born into the royal family of the small chiefdom of Uyowa, and likely became chief after the death of his father around 1860. He became a … Read MoreMirambo (ca. 1840-1884)

Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje (1876-1932)

Sol Plaatje, first Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) was born October 9th 1876. In addition to his political involvements, Plaatje was an interpreter, linguist, journalist and the first black South African novelist. Plaatje was raised in the Pniel mission station of the Lutheran … Read MoreSolomon Tshekisho Plaatje (1876-1932)

James M. Nabrit, Jr. (1900-1997)

James Madison Nabrit, Jr. was a renowned civil rights lawyer, Howard University president, and United Nations deputy ambassador. During his legal career, he argued for the voting rights of blacks as well as school desegregation. Nabrit was born September 7, 1900, in Atlanta, Georgia. The … Read MoreJames M. Nabrit, Jr. (1900-1997)