Rachel Bassette Noel was the first African American woman to be elected to public office in the state of Colorado. Born on January 15, 1918 in Hampton, Virginia, Noel earned her bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and her master’s in sociology from Fisk University. In … Read MoreRachel B. Noel (1918-2008)
Allegra “Happy” Haynes was born on March 4th, 1953. Her nickname, Happy, comes from the Spanish translation of her first name. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Haynes’ student activism during her years at East High School gave rise to a lifelong career of civic … Read MoreAllegra “Happy” Haynes (1953- )
Ron Stallworth was the first African American police officer and detective hired by the Colorado Springs Police Department. He also holds the distinction of being the only African American “member” of the Ku Klux Klan. Stallworth was born on June 18, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois, … Read MoreRonald Tobias Stallworth (1953- )
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) is an annual traveling American rodeo which celebrates the Black Cowboys and Black Cowgirls in the sport of rodeo. Through education and entertainment, the BPIR has continued to promote and highlight the role of black rodeo cowboys in American … Read MoreBill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (1984- )
Major General Marcelite J. Harris of the U.S. Air Force was born on January 16, 1943 in Houston, Texas to Cecil O’Neal Jordan and Marcelite Terrill Jordan, Harris grew up in Houston and graduated from Kashmere High School in 1960 before enrolling at Spelman College where she earned a bachelors in … Read MoreMarcelite J. Harris (1943- )
Warren M. Washington is a pioneering meteorologist and an expert in atmospheric science, climate research, and computer modeling of the earth’s climate. Washington was born in Portland, Oregon on August 28, 1936, to Edwin Washington Sr., a waiter and Pullman porter, and Dorothy Grace Morton, a practical nurse. Advised … Read MoreWarren M. Washington (1936- )
Image Ownership: Public domain The first African American pilot hired by a commercial passenger airline carrier owed his achievement to Marlon D. Green who fought a six-year court battle that opened the industry to minority-race aviators. Born on June 6, 1929 in El Dorado, Arkansas, … Read MoreMarlon DeWitt Green (1929-2009)
Dr. Donnis Hazel Thompson was an athlete, coach, University of Hawaii Women’s Athletic Director, State of Hawaii Department of Education school superintendent, Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission chair in Hawaii, and champion for Title IX women’s athletics in Hawaii. Thompson was born in Chicago, Illinois, … Read MoreDonnis Hazel Thompson (1933-2009)
Jimmie Lunceford and his Orchestra Image Ownership: Public domain James Melvin “Jimmie” Lunceford, a popular band leader during the swing era, was born near Fulton, Mississippi, in Itawamba County to James Leonard and Beulah Idella Tucker Lunceford in June, 1902. His grandparents, Daniel and Gracie … Read MoreJimmie M. Lunceford (1902-1947)
Image Ownership: Public domain Colin Rand Kaepernick, a professional football quarterback formerly for the San Francisco (California) 49ers of the National Football League (NFL), is currently a free agent. He played collegiate football at the University of Nevada where he twice was named the Western … Read MoreColin Rand Kaepernick (1987- )