On October 18, 2016, Deborah Danner, a 66-year-old African American woman, was fatally shot in her Bronx apartment by Sergeant Hugh Barry of the New York Police Department. The shooting occurred after police arrived to investigate a neighbor’s reports of “erratic” behavior. Due to a … Read MoreDeborah J. Danner (1950-2016)
Beatrice Coleman was a pioneering civil rights activist in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1946 she challenged Jim Crow segregation in the city by calling for the enforcement of a recently-enacted anti-discrimination law. In 1952 Coleman was one of the founding members of the Fairbanks chapter of … Read MoreBeatrice Coleman (1908-1982)
Mantan Moreland was an American actor, most popular for his role as the “google-eyed” chauffeur “Birmingham Brown” in the Charlie Chan movies. Moreland was born On September 3, 1902 to Marcella and Frank Moreland in Ouachita Parish, Monroe, Louisiana. He began running away from home … Read MoreMantan Moreland (1902-1973)
In March 1943, the United States Army renamed the 367th Negro Infantry Regiment the 364th Negro Infantry Regiment. Most of the new recruits came from Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. By June, the regiment, consisting of approximately 3,000 soldiers, was sent to Camp Papago Park … Read MoreThe Mystery of the 364th Infantry Regiment (1943-1945)
Ernest Frederick Morrison was the first black child movie star signed to a long-term contract and is most famous for his role in the Our Gang/ Little Rascals series. Morrison was born on December 20, 1912 to Louise (Lewis) and Joseph Ernest Morrison, in New … Read MoreErnest Frederick Morrison (1912-1989)
Richard “Cannonball Dick” Redding was a pitcher, outfielder, and manager in the Negro Leagues. Redding was born on April 15, 1893 in Atlanta, Georgia. Much of his early life is unknown. Redding’s baseball career started in 1911 when at 18 he played with the Philadelphia … Read MoreRichard “Cannonball Dick” Redding (1893-1948)
John Preston “Pete” Hill was a baseball outfielder and manager for the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1925. Hill was born on October 12, 1882 in Culpeper County, Virginia to Ruben W. Hill and Elizabeth “Lizzle” Seale Hill. He also had two older brothers, Jerome … Read MoreJohn Preston “Pete” Hill (1882-1951)
Ray (Raymond) Emmitt Dandridge was a third baseman in the Negro Baseball Leagues. Dandridge was born on August 31, 1913 to Archie and Alberta Thompson Dandridge in Richmond, Virginia. Dandridge’s early childhood included playing baseball, football, and boxing. Dandridge had to quit playing football after … Read MoreRay Emmitt Dandridge (1913-1994)
Effa Louise Manley, one of the first women of any race to run a baseball team, was co-owner, along with her husband Abe Manley, of the Negro League Baseball Team the Newark Eagles. Manley was born on March 27, 1897 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Bertha … Read MoreEffa Louise Manley (1897-1981)
George Speck, later known as George Crum and long thought to be the inventor of the potato chip, was born on July 15th, 1824 in Saratoga Country, New York to parents Abraham Speck, an African American, and Diana Tull, a Native American of the Huron … Read MoreGeorge Crum (1824-1914)
