The Cleveland Buckeyes were a Negro League baseball team established initially as the Buckeyes Baseball Club, in Cincinnati, Ohio. On the eve of World War II, a white Cleveland sports promoter, Wilbur Hayes, approached Erie, Pennsylvania black businessman Ernest Wright about financially backing a Cleveland-based … Read MoreThe Cleveland Buckeyes (1941-1950)
On January 2, 2019, Melody J. Stewart became the first African American woman sworn in to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court. Justice Stewart was born on February 19, 1962, in Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland, Stewart was raised by … Read MoreMelody J. Stewart (1962- )
Irving Garland Penn was a journalist, educator, and key figure at Methodist Episcopal Church. Penn was born on October 7, 1867, in New Glasgow, Virginia, to a mulatto family, possibly of black and Native American heritage. His father Isom was a railroad brakeman, and his … Read MoreIrving Garland Penn (1867-1930)
Known for discovering the Alpha Helix, a common protein structure, Dr. Herman Branson was a pioneer in biophysics. Born on August 14, 1914 in Pocahontas, Virginia, not much is known about his early life. After a primary and elementary education, Branson attended Virginia College (now … Read MoreHerman Branson (1914-1995)
Billie Blair is an African American model who rose to fame during the 1973 fashion extravaganza at the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France. She later left the fashion world to pursue her passion for evangelism. Born to Hattie and William Blair in Arkansas, Billie … Read MoreBillie Blair (1951- )
Gardner Taylor was a civil rights advocate, social change agent, prominent minister, and leader within the National Baptist Convention. Taylor became known as “the dean of American preaching” and was admired by many for his understanding and teachings of the Christian faith. Taylor was born … Read MoreGardner Taylor (1918-2015)
The Baltimore Elite Giants was a professional Black baseball team that played in the independent league as well as all of the Negro Leagues formed. The franchise had previously played in Nashville, Cleveland, Columbus, and Washington, before finding its home in Baltimore. The team was … Read MoreNashville/ Baltimore Elite Giants (1920-1951)
The Jacksonville Red Caps were a Negro League baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team played out of Durkee Field, the city’s first municipal recreation field. Dr. Jay Durkee, owner of the land, donated the property to the Jacksonville Baseball Association. The Red Caps … Read MoreThe Jacksonville Red Caps (1938-1945)
Benjamin Lloyd Crump is an American Civil Rights lawyer who is best known as the attorney of the families of Black Lives Matter victims starting with the case of Genie McMeans Jr in 2002. Crump, the oldest of nine siblings, was born on October 10, … Read MoreBenjamin Lloyd Crump (1969- )
Ezekiel Elijah Elliot is a running back who plays for the Dallas (Texas) Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). Elliott was born on July 22, 1995 to his mother, Dawn Huff Elliot, and his father, Stacy Elliot in Alton, Illinois. Elliott attended John Burroughs … Read MoreEzekiel Elijah Elliott (1995- )
