Karla Rixon, Author at

Student Historian

Karla Rixon is an undergraduate at the University of Washington, majoring in History. She is particularly interested in the histories of under-studied populations such as sexual and ethnic minorities, and marginalized groups such as women. She plans to graduate in 2011, and does not intend to pursue graduate studies because of her health.

Gertrude “Ma” Rainey (1886-1939)

Businesswoman and entertainer Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, known as the Mother of Blues, was the most popular blues singer/ songwriter of the 1920s. She is considered to be the first woman to introduce blues into her performances. As a single woman, she established her own entertainment … Read MoreGertrude “Ma” Rainey (1886-1939)

Mattiwilda Dobbs (1925-2015)

Legendary opera star Mattiwilda Dobbs, was born July 11, 1925 in Atlanta, Georgia. Although she was the fifth of six daughters and her father worked as a mail clerk, he was able to provide her and all of her sisters with a college education. Dobbs … Read MoreMattiwilda Dobbs (1925-2015)

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (1870- )

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School was established in 1870 as the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth with 45 students and one teacher, Emma J. Hutchins, to provide secondary education for the city’s African American children after efforts to integrate schools in Washington, D.C. failed. … Read MorePaul Laurence Dunbar High School (1870- )

Venture Smith (ca. 1729-1805)

Venture Smith was a West African who was captured as a boy and sold into slavery in New England. He eventually purchased his own freedom, the freedom of several other slaves, and in his old age he wrote the earliest autobiography by an African American. … Read MoreVenture Smith (ca. 1729-1805)

Marlon Riggs (1957-1994)

Marlon Riggs was a black gay writer, filmmaker, and social activist. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas to a military family on February 3, 1957, and spent his childhood at various military posts, including time spent living in Georgia and Germany. Riggs graduated with … Read MoreMarlon Riggs (1957-1994)

Savannah State University (1890- )

Savannah State University, a historically black university in Savannah, Georgia, is the oldest state supported black institution of higher education in the state of Georgia. It was the first black public land grant college established in the state after the Morrill Act of 1890. Originally … Read MoreSavannah State University (1890- )

Prairie View A&M University (1878- )

Prairie View A&M University is the fourth largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) by enrollment with approximately 9,500 students. It was the first state-supported college in Texas for African Americans and was founded as part of the post-Civil War effort to restructure education in … Read MorePrairie View A&M University (1878- )

Fort Valley State University (1939- )

Fort Valley State University, in Fort Valley, Georgia, is a four year liberal arts land grant school that is part of the University System of Georgia. It was formed in 1939 when Fort Valley Normal and Industrial School merged with the State Teachers and Agricultural … Read MoreFort Valley State University (1939- )

Albany State University (1903- )

Albany State University is a historically black university in Albany, Georgia. It was founded in 1903 by Joseph Winthrop Holley, a native of South Carolina. This son of former slaves was inspired by the writings of W.E.B. DuBois to try to improve conditions for the … Read MoreAlbany State University (1903- )

Southern University Law Center [New Orleans] (1947- )

Southern University is a historically black university with a main campus located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Originally founded in 1880 in New Orleans as Southern University in New Orleans, it began its mission of providing post-secondary education for African Americans with 12 students and 5 … Read MoreSouthern University Law Center [New Orleans] (1947- )