Independent Historian

Samuel Momodu is a 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 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 interest areas in history are African and African American History. His passion for learning more about black history has made him continue to contribute to writing history for Blackpast.org for the last couple of years where he wrote hundreds of entries for the website. Momodu has also worked as a history tour guide at Andrew Jackson the Hermitage in the past and history instructor at his alumni Tennessee State University. His passion for history has also helped him to continue his education as he currently attends Liberty University working on his Ph.D. in history online hoping to be a university professor or professional historian in the future.

Denise Katrina “Vanity” Matthews (1959-2016)

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 (1959-2016)

Nashville Christian Leadership Council (1958-1964)

The Nashville Christian Leadership Council (NCLC) was a civil rights organization based in the capital city of Tennessee. The NCLC was created on January 18, 1958 following a meeting by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia where a Nashville representative was in attendance. … Read MoreNashville Christian Leadership Council (1958-1964)

Walter Fenner “Buck” Leonard (1907-1997)

Walter Fenner “Buck” Leonard was a professional baseball player who played first base in the Negro League and the Mexican League. Leonard was born on September 8, 1907 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to John and Emma Leonard. He had three sisters, Fanny, Willa, and … Read MoreWalter Fenner “Buck” Leonard (1907-1997)

Tent Cities of Fayette and Haywood Counties (1960-1962)

The Tent Cities of Fayette and Haywood Counties in Tennessee were the result of early efforts to register African American voters in those counties between 1959 and 1962. When John McFerren of Fayette County and other activists began their voter registration drive, many of the … Read MoreTent Cities of Fayette and Haywood Counties (1960-1962)

Herbert Eugene Carter (1919-2012)

Herbert Eugene Carter was one of the original thirty-three Tuskegee Airmen. He flew seventy-seven missions with fellow Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Carter was born on September 27, 1919 to Ann Sykes Carter and George Washington Carter in Amory, Mississippi. He attended Tuskegee High … Read MoreHerbert Eugene Carter (1919-2012)

The Battle of Nashville (1864)

The Battle of Nashville occurred on December 15-16, 1864, south of Nashville, Tennessee. The battle, between approximately 55,000 Union troops led by Major General George Henry Thomas and 30,000 Confederate troops led by Lieutenant General John Bell Hood, was considered a major Union victory in … Read MoreThe Battle of Nashville (1864)