David Cortes, Author at

Student Historian

David Cortes was born in San Diego, California, on May 18, 1997. His parents are David and Ivette Cortes, and he has 1 brother, Christian. He graduated from Del Norte High School in 2015. He now attends University of Washington, Seattle and studies Economics.

Joseph Charles Jenkins (1914-1959)

Image Ownership: U.S. Coast Guard Joseph Charles Jenkins, the first African American naval officer, paved the way for the beginning of desegregation in the United States Coast Guard. Jenkins was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1914. Unfortunately, there is little information regarding his childhood. He … Read MoreJoseph Charles Jenkins (1914-1959)

Irene McCoy Gaines (1892-1964)

Image Ownership: Public Domain Irene McCoy Gaines was a civil rights activist and a community leader. Born October 25, 1892, in Ocala, Florida, to Charles and Mamie McCoy, she had one older sister who died while Gaines was a child. Her family moved to Chicago, … Read MoreIrene McCoy Gaines (1892-1964)

James M. Evans (1962- )

Image Ownership: Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune James M. Evans, a politician and business owner, was the first African American chairman of the Utah Republican Party. He was born to Robert and Beatrice Evans in Orangeburg, South Carolina, in 1962. He graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High … Read MoreJames M. Evans (1962- )

Richard Freeman (?-1851)

Site of Richard Freeman Saloon in Old Town San Diego Image Ownership: Public domain Richard Freeman, deputy city marshal and entrepreneur in the early years of San Diego, California, was born somewhere in the Eastern United States. His date of birth is unknown and so … Read MoreRichard Freeman (?-1851)

Richard A. Jones (1950- )

Image Ownership: Joshua Trujillo/Seattle Post-Intelligencer The Honorable Richard A. Jones is a United State District Court Judge for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. Jones, the youngest of four sisters and four brothers, was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1950. His father was semi-professional … Read MoreRichard A. Jones (1950- )

Lamar Smith (1892-1955)

Lamar Smith, a voting rights activist and veteran, was a martyr in the fight for civil rights. Smith was born in March 1892 to Levi Smith and Harriet Humphrey in Lincoln County, Mississippi; however, there is little information concerning his early life. Smith served in … Read MoreLamar Smith (1892-1955)

Hotel Robinson (1897-1921)

The Hotel Robinson, built in 1897, was one of the first businesses in San Diego County, California to be owned and operated by an African American, and the oldest continuously operated hotel in Southern California. The hotel is now a part of the National Register … Read MoreHotel Robinson (1897-1921)

Herb Cawthorne (1947- )

Herb Cawthorne, teacher, community leader, and news reporter, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Roosevelt and Edythe Odrene Cawthorne in June 1947. He is the youngest of four children, including John, Elsa, and Edythe. He attended North Des Moines High School in Omaha from 1962 … Read MoreHerb Cawthorne (1947- )