Independent Historian

Davon White is a senior at the University of Washington, Seattle, studying Communications with a focus on Public Relations. He is a leader of Project Pilgrimage which takes inter-generational communities to the deep South to learn about African American history and the Black Freedom Struggle. Born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, he is passionate about writing and developing media content that brings equal representation to marginalized populations.

Simeon S. Booker (1918-2017)

Simeon Saunders Booker Jr.’s innovative career in journalism transformed how African American readers engaged with news coverage of politics and social injustices. As the first African American reporter for the Washington Post, he provided insight into the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. On August … Read MoreSimeon S. Booker (1918-2017)

Death Row Records (1992- )

Death Row Records is a West Coast record label which pushed the genre of gangsta rap to the top of the mainstream charts in the early 1990s. Founded by Marion “Suge” Knight and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young in 1992, the successes of Death Row Records established the legitimacy of rap music. The origins … Read MoreDeath Row Records (1992- )

Bad Boy Entertainment (1992- )

Founded and incorporated by Sean “Diddy” Combs in 1992, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group has grown from a small record label into a massive, highly successful entertainment company. Sparking the careers of superstars like Craig Mack, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, and Lil’ Kim, Bad Boy has left a charismatic imprint on … Read MoreBad Boy Entertainment (1992- )

DeRay Mckesson (1985- )

Due to his dedication to battling social injustices and racism throughout the United States, DeRay Mckesson has emerged as a key 21st century civil rights activist and educator. His documentation of the protests in Ferguson, Missouri following the unjust murder of Michael Brown in 2014 solidified his role as a leader in the national Black Lives … Read MoreDeRay Mckesson (1985- )

Ethel Lois Payne (1911-1991)

Pioneering journalist Ethel Lois Payne was born on August 14, 1911, in Chicago, Illinois, to William A. Payne and Bessie Austin. Known as the “First Lady of Black Press” for her extensive list of accomplishments as a writer, journalist, and reporter, Payne, according to her colleagues, asked questions … Read MoreEthel Lois Payne (1911-1991)

Cambridge, Maryland Riot (1963)

The 1963 Cambridge Riot was the result of racial tensions between African American and white residents in the town of Cambridge, Maryland. After a year of demonstrations led by Baltimore’s Civic Interest Group (CIG) to desegregate Maryland’s Eastern shore, many African Americans in Cambridge became discontented with relying … Read MoreCambridge, Maryland Riot (1963)

Alexander Miles (1838-1918)

Born near Circleville, Ohio to Michael Miles and Mary Pompy, Alexander Miles is the 19th Century African-American inventor known best for patenting his design for improving the automatically opening and closing elevator doors.  The patent was issued on October 11, 1887 (U.S. Patent 371,207). Miles moved to Winona, Minnesota in 1870 … Read MoreAlexander Miles (1838-1918)

Shereese Francis (1982-2012)

On March 15, 2012, Shereese Francis was suffocated and murdered by four New York Police Department (NYPD) officers in her family home in Rochdale, Queens, New York. Although she was diagnosed with schizophrenia while studying at Nassau Community College, she was able to control it through the use … Read MoreShereese Francis (1982-2012)