Niamey, the largest city and capital of the West African nation of Niger, is located in the southwestern part of the country along the left bank of the Niger River. Niger is the largest nation within West Africa in terms of physical size, and Niamey … Read More … Read MoreNiamey, Niger (1902- )
Samuel Adjai (or Ajayi) Crowther was the first bishop of Niger and the first Black bishop in the Anglican Church. As a teen, he was abducted into slavery then traded and sold a number of times before being rescued by Anglican missionaries. He went on … Read More … Read MoreBishop Samuel Adjai Crowther (1809-1891)
On Thursday, April 30, 2015, the Honorable Adam Smith, Congressman representing the 6th District, Washington, recognized the achievements of Dr. Quintard Taylor and acknowledged BlackPast.org in the Congressional Record. Mr. SMITH of Washington. I rise to honor and congratulate Dr. Quintard Taylor of the University … Read More … Read MoreRecognizing Black Past.org in the Congressional Record
Molefi Kete Asante (Arthur Lee Smith, Jr.), an educator, was born in Valdosta, Georgia, the son of Arthur Lee and Lillie B. (Wilson) Smith. In 1964 he received a B.A. degree (cum laude) from Oklahoma Christian College. He was awarded an M.A. degree the following … Read More … Read MoreMolefi Kete Asante/Arthur Lee Smith Jr. (1942- )
In 1984 Rev. Jesse Jackson campaigned for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency. Although he entered the Democratic convention at San Francisco with little hope of winning, his appeals on behalf of the dispossessed of America whom he characterized as the “Rainbow Coalition,” ensured that … Read More … Read More(1984) Rev. Jesse Jackson, “The Rainbow Coalition”
American jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader Grant Green, who recorded more than 30 albums, was an only child born to John Green and Martha Green in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 6, 1935. Grant’s early music lessons on the guitar were from his father, who … Read More … Read MoreGrant Green (1935-1979)
Porto-Novo, meaning “New Port” in Portuguese, became the official capital of the West African country of Benin in 1960. In 2002 it had an estimated population of 223,552 people. Porto-Novo is located in the southeastern part of the country on an inlet of the Gulf … Read More … Read MorePorto-Novo, Benin (16th Century- )
Mohamed Siad Barre (Maxamed Siad Barre) was a military general in Somalia and the country’s third president. He came into power in October of 1969, leading a coup d’état against the elected government. Barre ruled over Somalia until 1991 when he was overthrown by militias, … Read More … Read MoreMohamed Siad Barre (1910-1995)
For over six decades Dr. Yusef A. Lateef was a major developer in the international improvisational musical field. A saxophone and flute virtuoso, his early success in the blues and jazz fields led him to push himself beyond educational barriers, becoming a contemporary renaissance artist … Read More … Read MoreYusef Abdel Lateef (1920-2013)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Sigma) was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., on January 14, 1914, by three college students, A. Langston Taylor, Lenard F. Morse, and Charles I. Brown on the principles of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. The founders … Read More … Read MorePhi Beta Sigma Fraternity (1914- )
