Robert Stirling, Author at

Student Historian

Robert Stirling is an undergraduate at the University of Washington, Seattle, majoring in Sociology and working on a minor in History. Although Robert majored in Sociology he has always been passionate about history especially the history of the Pacific Northwest. Robert intends to teach in a high school. He is now working on getting into masters in education so that he can teach social studies or history at the high school level in the future.

Antoine “Fats” Domino (1928-2017)

Antoine “Fats” Domino, an early rock and roll musician, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 26, 1928, to Antoine Domino, a former plantation worker, and Donatile Gros, a Creole of light complexion. Fats, as he was soon called because of his weight, was raised in a … Read MoreAntoine “Fats” Domino (1928-2017)

Spike Lee (1957- )

Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee, producer, actor, director, was born on March 20, 1957 in Atlanta Georgia. His parents are William Lee, a jazz musician and composer, and Jacqueline Shelton Lee, a teacher of art and literature. Lee, the oldest of five children in a relatively … Read MoreSpike Lee (1957- )

Robert Townsend (1957- )

Robert Townsend, a writer, producer, director, and actor, was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 6, 1957, the second of four children to Shirley and Robert Townsend. He was raised by his mother on the west side of Chicago. As a child, he entertained his … Read MoreRobert Townsend (1957- )

Samuel Eli Cornish (1795-1858)

Samuel Cornish, an abolitionist and editor, was born in Sussex County, Delaware in 1795, although the specific day and month are unknown. He was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City, New York. Since both of his parents were free African Americans, Cornish was … Read MoreSamuel Eli Cornish (1795-1858)

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Vancouver Branch

Vancouver, Washington Branch 1139 is the 1139th charter organization of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Vancouver Branch was founded in 1943 during the surge in the African American population in the Portland, Oregon-Vancouver, Washington area in response to defense … Read MoreNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Vancouver Branch

Carl Murphy (1889–1967)

Carl Murphy, publisher, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 17, 1889. In 1892, his father, John Henry Murphy edited and published the first issue of the paper the Baltimore Afro-American. Murphy went to high school in Baltimore and after graduating attended Howard University receiving … Read MoreCarl Murphy (1889–1967)

John Daniel Singleton (1968- )

John Daniel Singleton, an Academy Award-nominated film director, producer and screenwriter, was born on January 6, 1968 in Los Angles, California. Singleton was raised in South Central Los Angeles, a personal experience that can be seen in his films which often depict the impact of … Read MoreJohn Daniel Singleton (1968- )

Johnny Mathis (1935- )

John “Johnny” Royce Mathis, singer, was born in Gilmer, Texas on September 30, 1935, the fourth of seven children born to Clem, a chauffeur and handyman, and Mildred, a maid. The Mathis family moved to San Francisco, California’s Fillmore District when Mathis was a young … Read MoreJohnny Mathis (1935- )

Ben Vereen (1946- )

Ben Augustus Vereen, actor, singer, and dancer, was born on October 10, 1946, in Miami, Florida, but while still an infant his family moved north to Brooklyn, New York. From a young age, Vereen showed a talent in dancing and drama, often performing in local … Read MoreBen Vereen (1946- )