Grant Kagawa, Author at

Independent Historian

Grant Kagawa is an undergraduate at the University of Washington, Seattle. He is nearly finished with his BA in History and upon graduation hopes to attend graduate school in his home state of Hawaii where he hopes to become a professor of history. His greatest focus is in US immigration history which includes the study of immigration patterns from Africa. In addition to his focus in US immigration, he also is interested in sports history and hopes to incorporate the two subjects in his career.

Tony Brown (1933- )

William Anthony (Tony) Brown, a pioneer in television programming for African American audiences, was born in Charleston, West Virginia on April 11, 1933 to Royal and Katherine Brown. The youngest of five children, he did well in school, excelling in English and drama, and overcame … Read MoreTony Brown (1933- )

Russell Simmons (1957– )

Image Ownership: Public Domain Russell Simmons, a multimillionaire who is estimated to be the third wealthiest man in the Hip-Hop industry, just behind Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs, was born on October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York City. His parents were Damian Simmons, … Read MoreRussell Simmons (1957– )

Gloria Naylor (1950-2016)

Gloria Naylor, a major 20th-century writer of African American literature, was born on January 25, 1950, in New York City, New York, to Roosevelt and Alberta Naylor. She was born just six weeks after her parents moved to the city from Robinsville, Mississippi, to escape … Read MoreGloria Naylor (1950-2016)

Walter Mosley (1952- )

Walter Mosley, a prominent African American novelist who specializes in criminal mystery fiction, was born on January 15, 1952 in Los Angeles to Ella and Leroy Mosley. Mosley was born in Watts but grew up from age 12 in relatively affluent West Los Angeles. Mosley’s … Read MoreWalter Mosley (1952- )

Mary Lucinda Dawson (1894-1962)

Mary Lucinda Cardwell Dawson was a leader in the campaign to promote African American participation in and appreciation of opera. Cardwell was born in 1896 in Madison, North Carolina, the second of six children. In the early 1900s, her family became part of the African … Read MoreMary Lucinda Dawson (1894-1962)

Zina Garrison (1963- )

Born November 16, 1963, in Houston, Texas, tennis star Zina Garrison was the youngest of seven children and was raised by her widowed mother, Mary Garrison. She began playing tennis at the age of 10 through the MacGregar Park Tennis Program. The program was run … Read MoreZina Garrison (1963- )

John Thomas Biggers (1924-2001)

Image Ownership: Fair Use Twentieth century artist John Thomas Biggers was an educator, painter and muralist. His travels in Africa in the 1950s influenced the depiction of social and cultural themes in his work. John Thomas Biggers was born in Gastonia, North Carolina in 1924. … Read MoreJohn Thomas Biggers (1924-2001)

James Bevel (1936-2008)

James Bevel was one of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most trusted advisors during the American Civil Rights campaigns of the mid-20th century. Bevel was born on October 19, 1936 in Itta Bena, Mississippi. During his childhood years, he resided in both Itta Bena and in … Read MoreJames Bevel (1936-2008)

Judith Ann Jamison (1943- )

Judith Ann Jamison is among the most influential African American dance figures of the late 20th century. She began her dance career at the age of ten and served as the Artistic Director at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1989 to 2011. Her … Read MoreJudith Ann Jamison (1943- )

George Branham, III (1962- )

George Branham III is best known as the first African American to win a major Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title and one of the very few men of color in professional bowling. Branham was born on November 21, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan. His father, George … Read MoreGeorge Branham, III (1962- )