Student Historian

Mike Williams is a 2014 graduate of the University of Washington, Seattle.  He received a bachelor’s of art double-majoring in communications and social science. He enjoys reading and discussing issues concerning race relations and especially the African American experience. He is also an avid fitness enthusiast who is also pursuing a certification in group fitness. Mike resides in Seattle, Washington.

The Chicago Bee (1926-1946)

The Chicago Bee was an African American newspaper founded to compete with the Chicago Defender, then the largest black-owned newspaper in the United States.  The Bee’s founder, banker, and food and cosmetics manufacturer, Anthony Overton, wanted a publication that would replace his now defunct Half … Read MoreThe Chicago Bee (1926-1946)

Ira Aldridge (1807-1867)

Ira Frederick Aldridge was the first African American actor to achieve success on the international stage. He also pushed social boundaries by playing opposite white actresses in England and becoming known as the preeminent Shakespearean actor and tragedian of the 19th Century. Ira Frederick Aldridge … Read MoreIra Aldridge (1807-1867)