Political Scientist George James Fleming was born in Bassein Triangle, Christiansted, St. Croix, Danish West Indies (now U.S. Virgin Islands) on February 15, 1904 to parents Alexander Fleming and Ernestine Jackson Fleming. His primary education began at the Moravian Day School at the Centre Mission … Read MoreG. James Fleming (1904-1990)
Betty Davis was a model, singer, songwriter, and the second wife of trumpeter Miles Davis. She was born Betty Gray Mabry on July 26, 1944, in Durham, North Carolina. Her mother, Betty, was a nurse, and her father, Henry, was a steelworker. Mabry spent most … Read MoreBetty Davis (1945-2022)
Rhythm and Blues singer Eddie Holman was born on June 3, 1946 in Norfolk, Virginia and introduced to the piano and guitar at the age of 2. In 1954, his family relocated to New York City and two years later Holman won first prize at … Read MoreEddie Holman (1946- )
Myra Atwell McDaniel was the first African American in Texas history to serve as the Secretary of State and at the time, the highest ranked African American appointee in the history of Texas government. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 13, 1932, McDaniel was one … Read MoreMyra Atwell McDaniel (1932-2010)
The R&B doo-wop ensemble Brenda & the Tabulations began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1966. They comprised vocalist/ lyricist Brenda J. Payton (Hill), born in the city on October 24, 1945, composer/ guitarist Eddie L. Jackson, born in 1947 in Forest City, North Carolina, Maurice Coates … Read MoreBrenda & the Tabulations (1966-1987)
The California Gold Rush, from 1848 to 1860, began after gold was discovered by carpenter and sawmill operator James W. Marshall on January 24, 1848. After Marshall’s discovery, thousands of people came to the goldfields in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern … Read MoreAfrican Americans in the California Gold Rush (1848-1860)
Dr. Kariamu Welsh was recognized as a pioneer and trailblazer of African diaspora dance, professor of dance at Temple University for 30 years before retiring in 2019, author and editor of seminal works on Afrocentricity and Black movement traditions. Welsh was born Carole Ann Welsh … Read MoreKariamu Welsh Asante (1949-2021)
The Three Degrees, the Philadelphia Sound female singing group, was formed in 1963 at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They included Fayette Regina Pinkney (born January 10, 1948, Philadelphia) who was the lead singer long with Shirley Porter, and Linda Turner. However, the latter … Read MoreThree Degrees (1963- )
The history of West Indian immigration can be traced back to the 17th century when enslaved Africans from Barbados, Jamaica, and Antigua were brought to the British North American colonies to work on plantations. The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) sparked another wave of immigration with thousands … Read MoreWest Indian Immigration to the United States (1900- )
The first African American players in the National Basketball Association in the twentieth century all came into the league in 1950. They were Earl Francis Lloyd (Washington Capitols), Charles Henry Cooper (Boston Celtics), and Nathaniel Clifton (New York Knicks). They all began their college careers … Read MoreThe First Black Players in the NBA (1950)
