Desiree Robinette, Author at

Student Historian

Desiree Robinette is a current undergraduate student at the University of Washington with a major in History and a minor in Education, learning, and society. While she loves learning different parts of history, her passion lies in the attempt in understanding the function of race in American society. She plans to graduate in 2010 and attend graduate school to attain her Masters in Teaching.

Stillman College (1867- )

Stillman College is a private, four-year university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and is known as one of the Historically Black Colleges/University (HBCU’s). In 1867, Charles Allen Stillman, Presbyterian Church pastor in Eutaw, Alabama asked the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Alabama to sponsor … Read MoreStillman College (1867- )

Philander Smith College (1877- )

Philander Smith is a private liberal arts college in Little Rock, Arkansas and is known as a Historically black college/university (HBCU). Established originally as Walden Seminary in 1877 by the United Methodist Church, the school was named after the first Freedmen’s society secretary, Dr. J.M … Read MorePhilander Smith College (1877- )

Texas College (1894- )

Texas College is a historically black College (HBCU), located in Tyler, Texas. The college was originally proposed by several ministers within the Colored Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. The Church founded the college, the third all-black institution in the state, on roughly 25 acres of land … Read MoreTexas College (1894- )

Bluefield State College (1895- )

Bluefield State College is one of the first historically black colleges (HCBUs) to become a predominantly white institution. The college was opened in 1895 as the Bluefield Colored Institute after the expansion of the Morrill Act in 1890 to provide funding for African American colleges … Read MoreBluefield State College (1895- )

James Farmer, Sr. (1886-1961)

James Farmer Sr., prominent early 20th Century educator, initially gained attention as the first African American to hold a Ph.D. in the state of Texas. Farmer was born on June 12, 1886 in Kingstree, South Carolina to Carolina and Lorena Farmer, who were former slaves. … Read MoreJames Farmer, Sr. (1886-1961)

Shirley Clarke Franklin (1945- )

Shirley Clarke Franklin became Atlanta, Georgia’s first African American female mayor in 2001, as well as the first woman to be a mayor of a major southern city. Clarke was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1945 to parents Eugene Haywood Clarke and Ruth … Read MoreShirley Clarke Franklin (1945- )

Margaret Bush Wilson (1919-2009)

Margaret Bush Wilson, prominent 20th Century Civil Rights leader, was born January 30, 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri to James and Margaret Bush; her father was a real estate agent and her mother a teacher. Her passion for the Civil Rights movement was instilled early; … Read MoreMargaret Bush Wilson (1919-2009)

West Virginia State University (1891- )

West Virginia State University is one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that has undergone a demographic change in its student body over the last century. When it opened its doors in 1891 the institution was intended to educate black students from throughout … Read MoreWest Virginia State University (1891- )

Tananarive Due (1966- )

Tananarive Due is a contemporary novelist who interweaves powerful themes and dilemmas among African Americans into unconventional story-telling. Due was born in Tallahassee, Florida on January 5, 1966. Her parents, John and Patricia Stephens Due, met at Florida A&M and were civil rights activists. John … Read MoreTananarive Due (1966- )

Michael B. Coleman (1954- )

Michael B. Coleman was the first African American Mayor of Columbus, Ohio, holding the post from January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2016. Coleman was born on November 18, 1954 in Indianapolis, Indiana to John Coleman, a medical doctor, and Joan Coleman, a local civil … Read MoreMichael B. Coleman (1954- )