Samuel Momodu, Author at

Samuel Momodu

Independent Historian

Samuel Momodu is native of Nashville, Tennessee where he was born and raised. Momodu received his Associate of Arts Degree in History from Nashville State Community College in December 2014 and Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Tennessee State University in May 2016. Momodu’s main interest areas in history are African and African American History. He enjoys reading and researching about events that occurred in the past. He currently attends Southern New Hampshire University working on his Master of Arts Degree in History.

Nashville Student Movement (1959-1964)

The Nashville Student Movement (NSM) was a civil rights organization in Nashville, Tennessee. The NSM was established when Rev. James Lawson and the Nashville Christian Leadership Council (NCLC) hosted nonviolent workshops at his church, Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, in 1959. The NSM challenged racial … Read MoreNashville Student Movement (1959-1964)

Richard “Cannonball Dick” Redding (1893-1948)

Richard “Cannonball Dick” Redding was a pitcher, outfielder, and manager in the Negro Leagues. Redding was born on April 15, 1893 in Atlanta, Georgia. Much of his early life is unknown. Redding’s baseball career started in 1911 when at 18 he played with the Philadelphia … Read MoreRichard “Cannonball Dick” Redding (1893-1948)

Willie James Wells (1906-1989)

Willie James Wells, who gained the baseball nickname “The Devil,” was a baseball player who played shortstop during his baseball career playing for a record eleven Negro Baseball League teams in the United States as well as in Mexico and Cuba. Wells was born on … Read MoreWillie James Wells (1906-1989)

John Preston “Pete” Hill (1882-1951)

John Preston “Pete” Hill was a baseball outfielder and manager for the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1925. Hill was born on October 12, 1882 in Culpeper County, Virginia to Ruben W. Hill and Elizabeth “Lizzle” Seale Hill. He also had two older brothers, Jerome … Read MoreJohn Preston “Pete” Hill (1882-1951)

Ray Emmitt Dandridge (1913-1994)

Ray (Raymond) Emmitt Dandridge was a third baseman in the Negro Baseball Leagues. Dandridge was born on August 31, 1913 to Archie and Alberta Thompson Dandridge in Richmond, Virginia. Dandridge’s early childhood included playing baseball, football, and boxing. Dandridge had to quit playing football after … Read MoreRay Emmitt Dandridge (1913-1994)

Hilton Lee Smith (1907-1983)

Hilton Lee Smith was a right-handed pitcher who played for the Monroe, Louisiana Monarchs and Kansas City Monarchs. Smith was born on February 27, 1907 to Mattie and John Smith in Giddings, Texas. Much of Smith’s early life is unknown but he attended Prairie View … Read MoreHilton Lee Smith (1907-1983)

Effa Louise Manley (1897-1981)

Effa Louise Manley, one of the first women of any race to run a baseball team, was co-owner, along with her husband Abe Manley, of the Negro League Baseball Team the Newark Eagles. Manley was born on March 27, 1897 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Bertha … Read MoreEffa Louise Manley (1897-1981)

Monford Merrill Monte Irvin (1919-2016)

Monford Merrill Monte Irvin was a baseball player who played the left fielder and right fielder in the Negro Leagues and was one of the few who transitioned to Major League Baseball after the integration of the sport in 1947. Irvin played for the Newark … Read MoreMonford Merrill Monte Irvin (1919-2016)

Charles Wilber “Bullet” Rogan (1893-1967)

Charles Wilber “Bullet” Rogan, also known as Bullet Joe, was a pitcher and outfielder who played most of his baseball career for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Baseball Leagues. Rogan was born on July 28, 1893 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His mother died … Read MoreCharles Wilber “Bullet” Rogan (1893-1967)

Denise Katrina “Vanity” Matthews

Denise Katrina Matthews—singer, songwriter, actress, model, and dancer—was born on January 4, 1959 to a Polish-German Jewish mother, Helga Senyk, and an African American father, Levia James Matthews, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. She also had two sisters Patricia and Renay Matthews. Her parents divorced … Read MoreDenise Katrina “Vanity” Matthews