Elwood Watson, Author at • Page 2 of 6

Academic Historian

Elwood Watson is a professor of History, African American Studies, and Gender Studies at East Tennessee State University. He is the co-editor of two anthologies There She Is, Miss America: The Politics of Sex, Beauty and Race in America’s Most Famous Pageant and The Oprah Phenomenon. He is the sole editor of the anthology Searching The Soul of Ally McBeal: Critical Essays. His book Outsiders Within: Black Women in the Legal Academy After Brown v. Board was published in 2008 by Rowman and Littlefield Publishers. The author and co-author of several award winning articles, he is currently working on an anthology that explores performance and anxiety of the male body and a second monograph that explores the contemporary race realist movement. Watson is also the co-author of the forthcoming book, Beginning A Career in Academia: A Graduate Guide for Students of Color Routledge Press (2014).

Ruby Ann Wallace Dee (1924-2014)

Broadway performer and film actress, Ruby Dee was born Ruby Ann Wallace in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 27, 1924, to Gladys Hightower and Marshall Edward Wallace. Her mother was a domestic, and her father worked as a cook, waiter, and porter. After her mother left … Read MoreRuby Ann Wallace Dee (1924-2014)

Alvin J. Boutte Sr. (1929-2012)

Alvin J. Boutte Sr., co-founder and past chairman and CEO of Independence Bank (at one time America’s largest Black-owned bank), was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on October 10, 1929. He was the youngest of 10 children. His mother, Adorea Darensbourg Boutte, was a seamstress, … Read MoreAlvin J. Boutte Sr. (1929-2012)

Walter Edward Williams (1936-2020)

Walter Edward Williams, economist, educator, political pundit, radio personality, and syndicated columnist, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 31, 1936. Williams and his sister were raised by a single mother in the Richard Allen Housing Project in North Philadelphia. Williams was educated in Philadelphia … Read MoreWalter Edward Williams (1936-2020)

Cecil “Big Jay” McNeely (1927- )

Cecil McNeely, nicknamed “Big Jay,” was born in the Watts section of Los Angeles, California, on April 29, 1927. He is a legendary saxophone player largely known for his emotive and flamboyant style that he adopted from fellow musicians Illinois Jacquet and Lester Young. While … Read MoreCecil “Big Jay” McNeely (1927- )

Ralph J. Bunche (ca. 1903-1971)

Ralph Johnson Bunche, an American political scientist, renowned scholar, award-winner, and diplomat, was one of the most prominent African Americans of his era. Bunche was born on August 7, 1903 or 1904 (there is some disagreement about the year of his birth) in Detroit, Michigan. … Read MoreRalph J. Bunche (ca. 1903-1971)

Yityish “Titi” Aynaw (1992- )

Yityish “Titi” Aynaw was crowned Miss Israel on February 27, 2013. She made history when she became the first Miss Israel of African ancestry. Born in Gondar Province, Ethiopia, Aynaw arrived in Israel in March 2003 along with her older brother and grandparents at the … Read MoreYityish “Titi” Aynaw (1992- )

Essex Hemphill (1957-1995)

Brash, bold, provocative, and edgy. These are just some of the many words that were used to describe the poet and performer Essex Hemphill who was known for his outspoken, direct, and often confrontational poems and articles. Hemphill was also unapologetic about his open homosexuality. … Read MoreEssex Hemphill (1957-1995)

Camp Atwater (1921- )

Camp Atwater is a cultural, educational, and recreational camp designed for the children of African American professionals. The camp, founded in 1921 by Dr. William De Berry, was located in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Initially named St. John’s Camp, in 1926 the name was officially changed … Read MoreCamp Atwater (1921- )

Max Robinson (1939-1988)

Max Robinson was an American broadcast journalist for ABC News and served as a co-anchor for ABC World News Tonight. He was the first African American broadcast network news anchor in the history of American television. He was also one of the original founders of … Read MoreMax Robinson (1939-1988)

Jennifer Hosten (1947- )

When Jennifer Josephine Hosten won the Miss World contest in 1970 she was the first woman from Grenada and the first of woman of African ancestry to hold the crown. She was crowned amid the greatest controversy in Miss World Pageant history. Hosten was born … Read MoreJennifer Hosten (1947- )