Independent Historian

Multiple business owner Euell Dixon (formerly Nielsen) was born on November 3, 1973, in Sewell, New Jersey. The youngest daughter of scientist and author Eustace A. Dixon II and Travel Agent Eleanor Forman, Euell was an early reader and began tutoring at The Verbena Ferguson Tutoring Center for Adults at the age of 13. She has owned and operated five different companies in the past 20 years including Show and Touch, Stitch This, Get Twisted, Dimaje Photography, and Island Treazures.

Euell is a Veteran of the U.S. Army (Reserves) and a member of the Order of Eastern Star, House of Zeresh #103. She is also the 3rd Historian for First African Presbyterian Church, the nation’s oldest African American Presbyterian church, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Euell is also a photographer, storyteller, fiber artist, and a historical re-enactor, portraying the lives of Patriot Hannah Till, Elizabeth Gloucester, and Henrietta Duterte. Euell has been writing for Blackpast.org since 2014 and was given an award from the site in 2016 for being the only African American female who had almost 100 entries at the time. Since then, she has written over 300 entries. Euell currently lives in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Valdez Venita (Butler) Demings (1957- )

Valdez (“Val”) Demings was the first female chief of police for the Orlando Police Department and now a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing for Florida’s 10th District. Butler was born on March 12, 1957, in Jacksonville, Florida. Her father James worked as … Read MoreValdez Venita (Butler) Demings (1957- )

Lionel Hodge Newsom (1919-1991)

Educator and HCBU President Lionel Hodge Newsom was born on November 11, 1919 in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Lawson and Georgia (McCullough) Newsom. He attended the local school, and enrolled into Lincoln University, Missouri where he became member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Newsom graduated … Read MoreLionel Hodge Newsom (1919-1991)

Edwin Clarence Joseph Turpin Howard (1846-1912)

Edwin Clarence Joseph Turpin Howard was the first African-American graduate of Harvard Medical College and also one of the founding members of the oldest African-American Greek-lettered organization, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. The five other founders were Henry Minton, Algernon Jackson, Richard Warrick, Robert Abele, and … Read MoreEdwin Clarence Joseph Turpin Howard (1846-1912)

Algernon Brashear Jackson (1878-1942)

Algernon Brashear Jackson was a columnist, author, physician, surgeon and one of the six foundering members of Sigma Pi Phi, the oldest African-American Greek letter organization. The other founders were Henry Minton, Edwin Howard, Richard Warrick, Robert James Abele, and Eugene Hinson. Jackson was born … Read MoreAlgernon Brashear Jackson (1878-1942)

Emperor Menelik II (Sahle Miriam) (1844-1913)

Emperor Menelik II was one of Ethiopia’s greatest leaders, ruling as King and Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913. He was born Sahle Miriam on August 17, 1884, in Ankober, Shewa, Ethiopia. His mother, Woizero Ejigayehu Lemma Adyamo, was a palace servant, and his … Read MoreEmperor Menelik II (Sahle Miriam) (1844-1913)