Matt VanHouten, Author at

Independent Historian

Matt Van Houten is a student at the University of Washington who plans on receiving his undergraduate degree in History. Matt currently plays soccer on the University of Washington soccer team and is a huge sports fan.

Robert Holland, Jr. (1940- )

Robert Holland Jr. was an African American businessman who served as the first black Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ben and Jerry’s, the ice cream manufacturer. Holland was born in April 1940 in Albion, Michigan to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Holland, Sr., the third of … Read MoreRobert Holland, Jr. (1940- )

A. Maceo Walker (1909-1994)

Antonio Maceo Walker was an African American businessman and president of Universal Life Insurance Company and Tri-State Bank, both in Memphis, Tennessee. Walker was born on June 7, 1909, in Indianola, Mississippi to Joseph and Lela Walker. His father, Joseph Edison Walker, founded Universal Life … Read MoreA. Maceo Walker (1909-1994)

George Ellis Johnson Sr. (1927- )

George Ellis Johnson, Sr. was an African American entrepreneur and founder of Johnson Products Company, a hair care firm, and Independence Bank in Chicago, Illinois. Johnson was born on June 16, 1927 in Richton, Mississippi to Priscilla Johnson. He is perhaps best known for being … Read MoreGeorge Ellis Johnson Sr. (1927- )

John Matthew Shippen, Jr. (1879-1968)

John Matthew Shippen, Jr. was the first African American professional golfer and known as one of America’s golf pioneers. Shippen achieved this distinction when he competed in the US Open in 1896. John Shippen was born on December 5, 1879 in Long Island, New York … Read MoreJohn Matthew Shippen, Jr. (1879-1968)

Wilton Norman Chamberlain (1936-1999)

Wilton Norman Chamberlain was an African American basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, being selected … Read MoreWilton Norman Chamberlain (1936-1999)

WGPR-TV (1975-1995)

WGPR-TV (Where God’s Presence Radiates) was the first television station in the United States owned and operated by African Americans. The station, located in Detroit, Michigan, was founded by William Venoid Banks. WGPR-TV marketed toward the urban audience in Detroit, Michigan, which in that market … Read MoreWGPR-TV (1975-1995)

Midian Othello Bousfield (1885–1948)

Physician and businessman Dr. Midian Othello Bousfield was a leader in Chicago’s insurance industry. His diverse career included work in medicine and in the military, advocating for African American health care and for the training of black medical personnel. He was the first black person … Read MoreMidian Othello Bousfield (1885–1948)

Grace Towns Hamilton (1907-1992)

Grace Towns Hamilton was the first African American woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly. She was a lifelong advocate of rights for the disadvantaged and was instrumental in key district reapportionment efforts and Black voter registration that helped bring minority representation into Georgia politics. … Read MoreGrace Towns Hamilton (1907-1992)

Ruth Carol Taylor (1931- )

Journalist and nurse Ruth Carol Taylor became the first African American airline flight attendant in the United States when she joined Mohawk Airlines in 1958. While she is most commonly known for her achievements in the airline industry, she spent much of her career as … Read MoreRuth Carol Taylor (1931- )

Alonzo Franklin Herndon (1858–1927)

Alonzo Franklin Herndon was an African American entrepreneur who founded and was the first president of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Herndon was born on June 26, 1858, in Walton County, Georgia, to Frank Herndon, a white farmer, and Sophenie, his slave. By the time of … Read MoreAlonzo Franklin Herndon (1858–1927)