Rev. Mineo Katagiri (1919-2005)

Political activist Reverend Mineo Katagiri was born in Haleiwa, Hawaii on August 1, 1919. He graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1941 and then earned his theological degree from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, New York in 1944. He was ordained in 1945 and was a minister … Read MoreRev. Mineo Katagiri (1919-2005)

Abbey Lincoln (1930-2010)

Born Anna Marie Wooldridge in Chicago, Illinois on August 6, 1930, and raised on a farm in Calvin Center, Cass County, Michigan, Abbey Lincoln (stage name) was an African-American jazz singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. The tenth out of twelve children, she began her singing career at a young … Read MoreAbbey Lincoln (1930-2010)

Albert J. Edmonds (1942- )

Born January 17, 1942 in Columbus, Georgia, Albert J. Edmonds was a career officer in the United States Air Force who eventually achieved the rank of Lieutenant General. Edmonds graduated from Spencer High School in Columbus and then earned a bachelor’s degree  n chemistry from Morris Brown College in 1964 … Read MoreAlbert J. Edmonds (1942- )

Flemmie Pansy Kittrell (1904-1980)

Flemmie Kittrell was born on December 25, 1904 to James and Alice Kittrell in Henderson, North Carolina. Kittrell attended Hampton Institution in Virginia (which has since changed to Hampton University) and received her bachelors of science in 1928. Kittrell’s undergraduate degree was in home economics and after encouragement from her professors, Kittrell enrolled … Read MoreFlemmie Pansy Kittrell (1904-1980)

Roscoe Robinson, Jr. (1928-1993)

Roscoe Robinson Jr., the first African American four-star general in the U.S. Army, was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928.  He received a bachelor’s in military engineering from The United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1951 and later attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.  … Read MoreRoscoe Robinson, Jr. (1928-1993)

William E. Ward (1949- )

William E. “Kip” Ward is a former 4-star general.  War was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 6, 1949 to Richard Isiah Ward and Phyllis Mary Ward.  He graduated from Morgan State University in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He was a distinguished ArmyROTC cadet at Morgan … Read MoreWilliam E. Ward (1949- )

Leslie Brennan Rout, Jr. (1935-1987)

Leslie B. Rout, Jr. was a Latin American history professor, jazz musician, and author.  Rout was born into poverty in Chicago, Illinois on February 26, 1935 to a former Army master sergeant Leslie B. Rout, Sr.  His mother’s name is unknown.  Rout earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history at Loyola University … Read MoreLeslie Brennan Rout, Jr. (1935-1987)

Donnis Hazel Thompson (1933-2009)

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)