David Zuber, Author at

Independent Historian

David Zuber is a retired high school counselor and principal. He earned a Master’s Degree from the Centre of West African Studies at the University of Birmingham, England and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. He has authored two books Behind the Mask: The British Cotton Growing Association 1902-1923 and An American Indian’s Encounter with the 1930s Judicial System. He resides near his birthplace in northern California.

James Young (1955- )

James Young is the first African American mayor of the small town of Philadelphia, Mississippi, a considerable achievement considering Philadelphia’s history during the Civil Rights movement of the 1970s. Philadelphia’s population of 7,000 is now 51% African-American and 46% white. Young was one of eight … Read MoreJames Young (1955- )

Rex Richardson (1983- )

The first African American mayor of Long Beach, California, Rex Richardson was born at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois on August 18, 1983. His parents divorced when Rex was a toddler. Over the next few years, Rex, his mother, and siblings moved numerous times … Read MoreRex Richardson (1983- )

Blessing Adeyemi ‘Yemi’ Mobolade (1979- )

The first Black mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Blessing Adeyemi (popularly known as Yemi) Mobolade was born in Lagos, Nigeria on February 12, 1979. His father worked for Exxon Mobile and his mother was a secondary school teacher. Both were also Christian ministers. Yemi attended … Read MoreBlessing Adeyemi ‘Yemi’ Mobolade (1979- )

James W. Holley III (1926-2012)

James W. Holley III was the first African American mayor of his hometown, Portsmouth, Virginia. He was born in Portsmouth on November 26, 1926. His parents were Laura and James W. Holley, Jr. James Holley attended local schools in Portsmouth and graduated from I. C. … Read MoreJames W. Holley III (1926-2012)

James Usry (1922-2002)

The first African American major of Atlantic City, James Leroy Usry, was born February 2, 1922, in Athens, Georgia. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey where Usry attended local schools. In 1939 he graduated from Atlantic City High School. … Read MoreJames Usry (1922-2002)

James C. Hayes (1946-2022)

The first African American mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska, James C. Hayes was born in Sacramento, California on May 26, 1946. His parents were Caustella and Juanita Metoyer Hayes. In 1955, after his parents divorced, James and his mother relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska. As a teenager, … Read MoreJames C. Hayes (1946-2022)

La Mulatresse Solitude (ca 1772-1802)

La Mulatresse Solitude (the Mulatto Solitude) is a national hero on the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe. Although very little is known about her life, she is remembered as a brave fighter against the reimposition of slavery on her homeland. It is believed that Solitude’s … Read MoreLa Mulatresse Solitude (ca 1772-1802)

Samuel Matekane (1968-)

Samuel Matekane became Prime Minister of Lesotho on October 28, 2022. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane was born on March 15, 1968 in the remote town of Mantsonyane, Lesotho. His parents were Hoohol and Mantuba Matekane and he was the 7th of 14 children. Matekane attended Bocheletsane … Read MoreSamuel Matekane (1968-)

Andree Blouin (1921-1986)

Andree Madeleine Blouin, one of an emerging group of African activists and political leaders in the 1960s, was born in Bessou in the French Colony of Ubangi-Shari (today’s Central African Republic) on December 16, 1921. Her mother, Josephine Wouassemba, was a 14 year old Banzi … Read MoreAndree Blouin (1921-1986)

Ibrahim Traore (1988-)

On September 30, 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traore led a military coup in Burkina Faso, overthrowing the government of Paul-Henry Sandaogo Damiba. On October 21, 2022, Traore was sworn in as transitional president and head of state of Burkina Faso. He was also appointed supreme chief of … Read MoreIbrahim Traore (1988-)