Robert Fikes

Independent Historian

Robert Fikes, Jr., a 1970 graduate of Tuskegee Institute, earned graduate degrees in modern European history and library science at the University of Minnesota. A reference librarian at San Diego State University where he is also subject bibliographer for Africana Studies and for American, Middle Eastern, and African history, Fikes has published journal articles, essays, encyclopedia entries, bibliographies, and monographs pertaining to history and literature.

Prince Estabrook (1740?-1830)

Although much attention is paid to Crispus Attucks who died during the 1770 Boston Massacre, the first African American to take up arms and fight in the American Revolutionary War was a slave who in his youth was known simply as Prince. Though some scholars … Read MorePrince Estabrook (1740?-1830)

Moses Tate (1821?- ?)

In the pre-Civil War United States, a black man who allegedly murdered a prominent white businessman could expect to be summarily tortured and lynched. But in one of most unusual criminal cases of the era, Moses Tate not only avoided a gruesome death but was … Read MoreMoses Tate (1821?- ?)

Darryl Atwell Cecil Williams (1961- )

On July 2, 2018, Lieutenant General Darryl A. Williams became the first African American to be sworn in to lead the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, the son of former Army officer Lonnie Buford Williams, Darryl A. … Read MoreDarryl Atwell Cecil Williams (1961- )

Elwyn Albert Adams (1933-1995)

As a child, concert violinist and professor Elwyn A. Adams was a musical prodigy of some notoriety in the African American community of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was born on August 3, 1933. At age five he gave his first violin recital at East Mt. … Read MoreElwyn Albert Adams (1933-1995)

Patricia Ann McGrath (1966- )

Patricia Ann McGrath is founder and CEO of a cosmetic business which in 2018 was valued in excess of $1 billion and she is heralded as the world’s most influential make-up artist. Born June 11, 1966 in Northampton, England, she is the daughter of Jean … Read MorePatricia Ann McGrath (1966- )

Njideka Akunyili Crosby (1983- )

Nigerian-born Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a leading contemporary artist. In early 2018 a typically large-scale painting by Crosby sold for $3 million, just a few months after she had won a MacArthur Foundation “genius” award worth $624,000. Born in 1983 in Enugu, Nigeria, she is … Read MoreNjideka Akunyili Crosby (1983- )

Gary Stephen May (1964- )

Gary Stephen May is the second African American chancellor of a campus of the University of California after Michael Drake who served as chancellor of the University of California, Irvine from 2005 to 2014. (On July 1, 2020, Drake was named President of the entire … Read MoreGary Stephen May (1964- )

Fred Hutcherson Jr. (1912-1962)

Fred Hutcherson Jr was the first African American aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Born in Evanston, Illinois, on July 6, 1912, he was the oldest son of Fred Hutcherson Sr., a mechanic and grocery store owner, and Orain, a homemaker. His father supported … Read MoreFred Hutcherson Jr. (1912-1962)

Paschal Beverly Randolph (1825-1875)

The influential 19th century spiritualist and author Paschal Beverly Randolph was born October 8, 1825 in New York City. According to contemporary researchers he was likely the illegitimate son of William Randon, a white man, and Flora Clark, an African American woman. Soon abandoned by … Read MorePaschal Beverly Randolph (1825-1875)

Kadir Arfin Nelson (1974- )

Kadir A. Nelson is one of the premier illustrators in the United States. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on May 15, 1974, the son of Lenwood Melvin Nelson, a former wrestling coach and Howard University graduate and Emily Diane-Gunter, a telecommunications engineer and motivational speaker. … Read MoreKadir Arfin Nelson (1974- )