Student Historian
Tyler Fragie is a freshman currently attending the University of Washington, Seattle, and is planning on majoring in either English or Japanese. Originally from southern California, he spent most of his life living in the Spokane area of eastern Washington before moving to Seattle for school. He has worked as a painter, a sales associate for a comic shop, and a product tester for Nintendo. After graduating he is planning on working in localization translating Japanese media into English.

Charles Frederick McDew (1938-2018)

Charles Frederick McDew was a civil rights and community activist, teacher, labor organizer, and one of the founding members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) where he worked towards increasing Black voter registration and racial desegregation. McDew was born on June 23, 1938, in Massillon, Ohio to Eva McDew, a nurse, and James McDew, … Read MoreCharles Frederick McDew (1938-2018)

Charles Warner Cansler (1871-1953)

Charles Warner Cansler was a railway mail clerk, lawyer, educator, and noted mathematician. He spent most of his life working to better the lives of African Americans in Eastern Tennessee by way of education. Some of his contributions included organizing the East Tennessee Association of Teachers in Colored Schools and … Read MoreCharles Warner Cansler (1871-1953)

Reginald Alan Hudlin (1961- )

Reginald Alan Hudlin is a writer, director, and executive who has worked in music, film, television, and comics. Over the course of his career he has written and directed films such as House Party (1990), had a long stint writing Marvel’s Black Panther comic, was the first President of Entertainment for Black Entertainment Television (BET), … Read MoreReginald Alan Hudlin (1961- )

Michael Lockett Garrett (1944- )

Michael Lockett Garrett is a Heisman Memorial Trophy (Heisman Trophy)-winning footballplayer who spent eight years playing in the National Football League (NFL) before becoming athletic director for The University of Southern California (USC), and then Langston University. He was born on April 12, 1944 in Los Angeles, California. He is now … Read MoreMichael Lockett Garrett (1944- )

Barry White/Barry Eugene Carter (1944-2003)

Barry Eugene Carter, commonly known as Barry White, was a three-time Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger. His music focused primarily on funk, rhythm and blues, soul, and disco. Throughout his career, he generated 106 gold and 41 platinum albums, 20 gold and ten platinum records, and … Read MoreBarry White/Barry Eugene Carter (1944-2003)

Raymond Lee Washington (1953-1979)

Raymond Lee Washington was the original founder of the Los Angeles, California-based street gang that came to be known as the Crips. Washington was born August 14, 1953 in Los Angeles to Violet Samuel and Reginald Washington. He had three older brothers from his mother’s first marriage … Read MoreRaymond Lee Washington (1953-1979)

Ryan Kyle Coogler (1986- )

Ryan Kyle Coogler is an American director and screenwriter. At the 2013 Sundance film festival he received the prize for best Dramatic film for Fruitvale Station (2013), and his most recent film, Black Panther (2018), is the highest-grossing film by a black director. Born on May 18, 1986 in Oakland, California to Joselyn and Ira Coogler, … Read MoreRyan Kyle Coogler (1986- )