John Mercer Langston, the youngest of four children, was born a free black in Louisa County, Virginia on December 14, 1829. Langston gained distinction as an abolitionist, politician, and attorney. Despite the prominence of his slaveowner father, Ralph Quarles, Langston took his surname from his mother, … Read MoreJohn Mercer Langston (1829-1897)
At a time when educated, skilled, and ambitious African Americans were systematically excluded from even middle management positions in large white-controlled businesses, for decades Charles H. Dodge remained one of the extremely rare persons in the nation to occupy a high ranking corporate position in … Read MoreCharles H. Dodge (1868-1942)
Amy Holmes is a news anchor and political commentator who appeared on Glenn Beck’s The Blaze TV, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. Holmes was born on July 25, 1973 in Lusaka, Zambia to an African father and white mother from Seattle, Washington. Her parents divorced … Read MoreAmy Holmes (1973- )
Sophia Angeli Nelson is an author, journalist, lawyer, and political strategist. Nelson was born on January 5, 1967, in Munich, Germany, where her father served overseas in the U.S. Army. She was raised in Somerdale, New Jersey, and attended San Diego State University (SDSU) in … Read MoreSophia Angeli Nelson (1967- )
Image Ownership: University of Virginia Special Collections Willis Augustus Hodges was born into a free black family on February 12, 1815, in Blackwater, Princess Anne County, Virginia. Both his parents were free, as well as his grandmother. His grandfather was enslaved as were his parents, but … Read MoreWillis Augustus Hodges (1815-1890)
Image Ownership: Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune James M. Evans, a politician and business owner, was the first African American chairman of the Utah Republican Party. He was born to Robert and Beatrice Evans in Orangeburg, South Carolina, in 1962. He graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High … Read MoreJames M. Evans (1962- )
William Henry Ellis, an African American businessman who challenged racial constructs in the United States by “passing” as Hispanic, was born a slave to Charles and Margaret Ellis on June 15, 1864. His parents had been brought by Joseph Weisiger from Kentucky to Texas in … Read MoreWilliam Henry Ellis (1864-1923)
Emmett Hercules Holmes was one of Spokane, Washington’s first African American residents, as well as an important politician in the young city. Holmes was born on July 7, 1872, near Vicksburg, Mississippi. By the summer of 1888, his mother was interested in moving to the … Read MoreEmmett Hercules Holmes (1872-1948)
Stacey Lauretta Dash is an American actress and talk show host. She is most widely known for co-staring in the film Clueless (1995), which later turned into a television series (1996-1999). She is also cited for her recurring roles in The Cosby Show (1984–1992), The … Read MoreStacey Dash (1967- )
Image Ownership: Chuck Burton/Associated Press Dr. Ada M. Fisher is a retired physician and a recurrent Republican candidate for office. Fisher was born on October 21, 1947 in Durham, North Carolina, the daughter of Rev. Miles Mark Fisher, a son of a former slave and … Read MoreAda M. Fisher (1947- )
