Carl Maxie Brashear was a US Navy sailor and master diver. Brashear was born on January 19, 1931 to McDonald Brashear and Gonzella Brashear in Tonieville, Kentucky. Brashear’s family later relocated to a farm in Sonara, Kentucky where he attended the local grade school but … Read MoreCarl Maxie Brashear (1931-2006)
James N. Eaton, archivist, curator, museum founder, distinguished professor of history and pioneering architect of the Black studies movement in Florida was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 14, 1930 to Sarah Cousin Eaton, a domestic, and John Jasper Eaton, Sr., a broom maker, World … Read MoreJames Nathaniel Eaton, Sr. (1930-2004)
Aerospace engineer Wesley Leroy Harris was born on October 29, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia. His parents, Rosa Minor and William Harris, were both workers in local tobacco factories. Harris graduated from Richmond’s Armstrong High School in 1960. He then married his high school sweetheart and … Read MoreDr. Wesley Leroy Harris (1941- )
Virginia University of Lynchburg was established in 1886 during the 19th session of the Virginia State Baptist Church Convention, held at the First Baptist Church in Lexington, Virginia. As one of the oldest institutions of higher education for black Virginians, it was founded on the … Read MoreVirginia University of Lynchburg (1886- )
James Wormley Jones is the first African American FBI agent in the United States. Jones was born on September 22, 1884 to John Bradford Jones and Sally Jones in Fort Monroe, Virginia. Jones had one sibling, a brother named Paul W. Jones. His family later … Read MoreJames Wormley Jones (1884-1958)
Donald McEachin is the co-founder of the law firm McEachin & Gee and a U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 4th congressional district. Aston Donald McEachin was born on October 10, 1961 to Ivan Benton McEachin, Jr. and Edna McEachin in Nuremberg, Germany. The Army artillery officer … Read MoreDonald McEachin (1961- )
Congresswoman Lucia “Lucy” McBath, is a wife, mother, author, and activist for social justice. Lucia Kay Holman was born in Joliet, Illinois on June 1, 1960. Her mother Wilma worked as a nurse, and her father, Lucien Holman, was a dentist. Her father also owned … Read MoreLucia Kay (Holman) McBath (1960- )
Insurance executive Ivan James Houston was born in Los Angeles, California on June 15, 1925 to Norman Oliver Houston and Doris Talbot (Young) Houston. He attended public schools in Los Angeles and graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in 1943. Later that year … Read MoreIvan James Houston (1925-2020)
Maxine Buie Mimms, a long-time educator and activist, founded The Evergreen State College’s Tacoma campus and Maxine Mimms Academy in Washington State. Born on March 4, 1928 to Benson and Isabella Buie, Mimms grew up in Newport News, Virginia. Her father was influenced by Marcus … Read MoreMaxine Mimms (1928- )
Fred Vann Cherry was the highest-ranking African American POW during the Vietnam War to receive the Air Force Cross, the second-highest military recognition. Cherry was born on March 24, 1928 in Suffolk, Virginia to John Cherry, an impoverished farmer and occasional laborer, and Leolia Cherry. … Read MoreFred Vann Cherry Sr. (1928-2016)
