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.

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)

Keith Sweat (1961- )

Keith Douglas Sweat is an American Rhythm and Blues singer and songwriter who is known for hit songs that include “Nobody,” “I Want Her,” and “Make it Last Forever.” Sweat is also credited as being one of the first performers in the musical genre called … Read MoreKeith Sweat (1961- )

Jeffery “Ja Rule” Atkins (1976- )

Jeffery “Ja Rule” Atkins is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actor who gained fame in the early 2000s with popular hit songs such as “Holla Holla,” “I’m Real” featuring Jennifer Lopez, and “Wonderful” featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti. Ja Rule was born on February 29, … Read MoreJeffery “Ja Rule” Atkins (1976- )

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (1972- )

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor and former professional wrestler, was born on May 2, 1972 to Rocky Johnson, a Black Nova Scotian professional wrestler, and Ata Johnson, a Samoan, in Haywood, California. Growing up, while his father was on the road during his professional wrestling … Read MoreDwayne “The Rock” Johnson (1972- )

Common (1972- )

Lonnie Corant Jaman Shuka “Common” Rashid Lynn is a Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, and songwriter. Common was born on March 13, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois to Mahalia Ann Hines and Lonnie Lynn Sr. Common grew up in the southside of Chicago in the Calumet Heights … Read MoreCommon (1972- )

Taylor Nicole Smith (1993- )

Taylor Nicole Smith is a professional soccer player in the National Women’s League. Smith was born on December 1, 1993 in Fort Worth, Texas to Rose Smith and an unnamed father. Growing up, Smith attended Forth Worth Country Day School located in Fort Worth, Texas. … Read MoreTaylor Nicole Smith (1993- )