Samuel Momodu, Author at BlackPast

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.

Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi (580-640)

Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi was a loyal Sahabah (companion) to the Prophet Muhammad and thus one of the earliest converts in the newly-emerging religion of Islam. He was also the first mu’azzin (prayer caller) in the Muslim faith. Rabah is the first person of known … Read MoreBilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi (580-640)

Ray Douglas McDonald (1944-1993)

Ray Douglas McDonald was a running back who played for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons, 1967 and 1968. McDonald was also one of the first gay athletes in the NFL. Ray McDonald was born on May 7, 1944 … Read MoreRay Douglas McDonald (1944-1993)

Tessa Lynne Thompson (1983- )

Actress Tessa Lynne Thompson was born on October 3, 1983 in Los Angeles, California to Marc Anthony Thompson, Afro-Panamanian, and an unnamed mother, who was half-Caucasian and half-Mexican. She also has a half sister, Zsela Sterlin-Thompson, and a half brother, Jody Rome Thompson. Thompson attended … Read MoreTessa Lynne Thompson (1983- )

Michael Bakari Jordan (1987- )

Actor Michael Bakari Jordan was born on February 9, 1987 in Santa Ana, California to Donna Jordan and Michael A. Jordan. He also has an order sister, Jamila, and a younger brother, Khalid. When Michael was two years old, his family moved to Newark, New … Read MoreMichael Bakari Jordan (1987- )

Marcus Samuelsson (1973- )

Marcus Samuelsson is an Ethiopian-Swedish chef and restaurateur. Samuelsson was born Kassahun Tsegie on January 25, 1973, in Ethiopia. His father was President of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. His unnamed mother died during the Ethiopian tuberculosis epidemic of 1974. Samuelsson and his sister, Fantaye, … Read MoreMarcus Samuelsson (1973- )

The Tougaloo Nine (1961)

The Tougaloo Nine were nine students who, in 1961 while undergraduates at Tougaloo College, staged sit-ins at the all-white Jackson Main Library in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to the sit-ins, African Americans were prohibited from using the city’s main library. The Nine—Meredith Coleman Anding Jr., James … Read MoreThe Tougaloo Nine (1961)

Nipsey Russell (1924-2005)

Julius “Nipsey” Russell was a comedian, dancer, and poet. Russell was born on October 13, 1924, in Atlanta, Georgia. His mother gave him the nickname Nipsey, and he embraced it because he liked the way it sounded. Russell attended Booker T. Washington High School in … Read MoreNipsey Russell (1924-2005)

James Harden (1989- )

Professional basketball player James Edward Harden Jr. was born on August 24, 1989 to James Harden Sr. and Monja Willis in Los Angeles, California. Harden also have a half-brother named Akili Roberson and a sister named Arnique Jenkins. James Harden Sr. was mostly absent during … Read MoreJames Harden (1989- )

The Clinton Desegregation Crisis (1956)

The Clinton Desegregation Crisis of 1956 occurred at Clinton High School in Clinton Tennessee. The crisis was the result of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court which called for the desegregation of public schools across the nation. In … Read MoreThe Clinton Desegregation Crisis (1956)

Roy Franklin Simmons (1956-2014)

Roy Franklin Simmons was professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. He was also one of the first openly gay players in the NFL. Simmons was born on November 8, 1956 in Savannah, … Read MoreRoy Franklin Simmons (1956-2014)