As a classical music conductor, Michael Morgan has been instrumental in bringing his eclectic orchestral leadership style to a diverse audience. Since becoming musical director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony Orchestra in 1990, Morgan has become well respected, particularly in the African American community … Read MoreMichael Morgan (1957-2021)
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Attorney, civil rights activist, journalist, and historian, Roger Wood Wilkins was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Earl and Helen Jackson Wilkins on March 25, 1932. His father was a business manager for the Kansas City Call newspaper, and his mother … Read MoreRoger Wood Wilkins (1932–2017)
Dorothy Johnson Vaughan was a teacher who became a leading mathematical engineer in the first aerospace program with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), and the first African American woman promoted to supervisor in the program. Vaughan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on … Read MoreDorothy Johnson Vaughan (1910-2008)
“Image Ownership: Fair Use” George Edward Curry was an American journalist who was considered by many of his colleagues the “dean of black press columnists” because of the number of his weekly commentaries which enjoyed wide syndication. Curry was born on February 23, 1947, in … Read MoreGeorge Edward Curry (1947–2016)
African American Latter Day Saints (LDS) Church activist Darius Gray was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Elsie Johnson and Darius McKinley Gray on December 12, 1945. His mother was a domestic worker (maid), and his father a handyman. His grandfather, Louis Gray, was born … Read MoreDarius Aidan Gray (1945- )
Black Lives Matter Protesters in Syracuse, NY, June 6, 2020 “Image Ownership: Scott Schild” The Syracuse, New York Chapter of Black Lives Matter was founded by public school educator and community actor Anthony Harper on August 6, 2015. The founding occurred several weeks after Black … Read MoreBlack Lives Matter, Syracuse Chapter (2015- )
Black Lives Matter Protesters in Seattle June 2020 “Image Ownershp: Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times” Black Lives Matter was created by three community organizers—Alicia Garza in Oakland, California; Patrice Cullors in Los Angeles, California; and Opal Tometi in Phoenix, Arizona—as a response to the 2013 acquittal … Read MoreBlack Lives Matter, Seattle Chapter (2014– )
The shooting death of twelve-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014 brought increased attention to the national debate on interactions between police officers and African Americans. Tamir Elijah Rice was born to Samaria Rice and Leonard Warner on June 15, 2002, in Cleveland, Ohio. At times, Rice’s … Read MoreTamir Elijah Rice (2002–2014)
With his death in 2014, eighteen-year-old Michael Brown’s name became synonymous with the growing Black Lives Matter movement and a nationwide debate about unarmed black men being fatally shot by law enforcement. Michael Brown Jr. was born on May 20, 1996, to Lesley McSpadden and … Read MoreMichael Brown Jr. (1996-2014)
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Civil rights activist and education reformer Marnesba Tillmon Tackett was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Ivory and Elizabeth Edwards Adkins on February 4, 1908. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. After graduating from Sumner High School in 1926, she … Read MoreMarnesba Tillmon Tackett (1908-2007)
