Samuel Momodu, Author at

Independent Historian

Samuel Momodu, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, received his Associate of Arts Degree in History from Nashville State Community College in December 2014 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Tennessee State University in May 2016. He received his Master of Arts Degree in history from Southern New Hampshire University in June 2019.

Momodu’s main areas of research interest are African and African American History. His passion for learning Black history led him to contribute numerous entries to BlackPast.org for the last few years. Momodu has also worked as a history tour guide at President Andrew Jackson’s plantation home near Nashville, the Hermitage. He is currently an instructor at Tennessee State University. His passion for history has also helped him continue his education. In 2024, he received his Ph.D. in History from Liberty University, writing a dissertation titled The Protestant Vatican: Black Churches Involvement in the Nashville Civil Rights Movement 1865-1972. He hopes to use his Ph.D. degree to become a university professor or professional historian.

Joseph Wiley (“Jefferson Street Joe”) Gilliam Jr. (1950-2000)

Joseph Wiley Gilliam Jr. was a professional football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Gilliam was born on December 29, 1950, to Joseph Gilliam Sr. and Ruth Gilliam in Charleston, West Virginia. The family moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he attended Pearl High School … Read MoreJoseph Wiley (“Jefferson Street Joe”) Gilliam Jr. (1950-2000)

Lovie Lee Smith (1958- )

Lovie Lee Smith is an American football coach for the National Football League (NFL). Smith was born on May 8, 1958, to Thurman Smith and Mae Smith in Gladewater, Texas. He attended Big Sandy High School in Big Sandy, Texas where he played defensive end … Read MoreLovie Lee Smith (1958- )

William Anthony “The Refrigerator” Perry (1962- )

William Anthony “The Refrigerator” Perry was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Perry was born on December 16, 1962, to Inez Perry and Hollie Perry in Aiken, South Carolina. He attended Aiken High School in Aiken, South Carolina where he … Read MoreWilliam Anthony “The Refrigerator” Perry (1962- )

WROX Blues Radio Station (1944- )

WROX Blues Radio Station is a variety AM radio station in Clarksdale, Mississippi. WROX was established and started transmitting on June 5, 1944, its location was at the studios at 321 Delta Avenue in Clarksdale in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. A year later, … Read MoreWROX Blues Radio Station (1944- )

Beyoncé’s Formation Performance at the Super Bowl 50 (2016)

On February 7, 2016, musician Beyoncé Knowles performed her single “Formation” at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show during the game between the Carolina (North Carolina) Panthers led by Quarterback Cam Newton and the Denver (Colorado) Broncos led by Peyton Manning. The halftime show opened … Read MoreBeyoncé’s Formation Performance at the Super Bowl 50 (2016)

Colored Farmers’ National Alliance and Cooperative Union (1886-1891)

The Colored Farmers’ National Alliance and Cooperative Union was established by a small group of Black farmers on December 11, 1886, in Houston County, Texas. The Colored Alliance was established because the Southern Farmers’ Alliance barred Blacks from joining their organization due to their race. … Read MoreColored Farmers’ National Alliance and Cooperative Union (1886-1891)

Penfield Wallace “Pen” Tate II (1931-1993)

Penfield Tate II was a politician, LGBTQ supporter, and Boulder, Colorado’s first African American mayor. Tate was born on June 11, 1931, to Penfield Tate Sr and Vera Jane Houston Tate in New Philadelphia, Ohio. He was the second eldest of ten children. Growing up, … Read MorePenfield Wallace “Pen” Tate II (1931-1993)

Oscar DuConge (1909-1978)

Oscar DuConge, a resilient politician, overcame the odds to become Waco, Texas’s first African American mayor. Born on April 19, 1909, to unnamed parents in Pass Christian, Mississippi, DuConge was the fourth of nine children. His early years were marked by hard work, as he … Read MoreOscar DuConge (1909-1978)

William Stanford Hart Sr. (1925-1999)

Williams Stanford Hart Sr was a politician who served as mayor of East Orange, New Jersey between 1970 and 1978. This made him the first African American mayor of a major New Jersey city. Hart was born on November 19, 1925, to Margaret and John … Read MoreWilliam Stanford Hart Sr. (1925-1999)

George Carroll (1922-2016)

George Carroll made history in 1964, as the first African American to be elected mayor of Richmond, California which made him the first black mayor of any large American city. Carroll was born on January 6, 1922, to unnamed parents in Brooklyn, New York. Growing … Read MoreGeorge Carroll (1922-2016)