The Honorable Sydney Kai Kamlager-Dove, a Freshman Democrat Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and an advocate for racial equity, access, and social justice, was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on July 20, 1972, to Cheryl Lynn Bruce, an award-winning actor. Kamlager graduated … Read MoreSydney Kai Kamlager-Dove (1972-)
Prominent West Virginia newspaper publisher and politician Matthew Thomas Whittico was born near Martinsville, in Henry County, Virginia, on September 25, 1866. His father, Hezekiah J. Whittico, was a farmer and was the son of Thomas and Catherine Whittico. Under a statute of the period, … Read MoreMatthew T. Whittico (1866-1939)
Otha Edward Thornton, Jr., the first African American President of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), was born in October of 1967 and reared in Elberton, Georgia, to Otha Edward Thornton, Sr., a Vietnam Veteran, and Estelle J Thornton. He was the oldest of seven. … Read MoreOtha Edward Thornton, Jr. (1967- )
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)
Lulu Merle Johnson was pioneer in education and the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in the state of Iowa. Born on September 14, 1907 in Gravity, Iowa to Jeanette (Burton) and Richard Johnson, her mother was the daughter of freed slaves, and … Read MoreLulu Merle Johnson (1907-1995)
Rhythm and Blues singer Garnet Edward Mimms was born on November 16, 1933, in Ashland, West Virginia, to Eugene Mimms and Fannie Mae Blackwell Mimms from Yanceyville, North Carolina. They had seven children and moved to Beckley, West Virginia. Mimms began his career as a … Read MoreGarnet Edward Mimms (1933 – )
Arthur O. Eve was the longest serving member of the New York State Assembly, serving from 1967 until his retirement in 2002. He was also the first Dominican American to be elected to public office in the United States. As deputy speaker of the Assembly … Read MoreArthur O. Eve (1933- )
John Warren Davis was the fifth and the longest president of West Virginia State University from 1919 to 1953. He is also known for founding one of the first chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Davis was born in … Read MoreJohn Warren Davis (1888-1980)
Newspaper owner John Robert Clifford was born September 13, 1848 in Williamsport, West Virginia to Isaac and Saltipa Clifford. During the Civil War he rose to the rank of Corporal in the U.S. Colored Troops, entering U.S. military service in 1864 at the age of … Read MoreJohn Robert “J.R.” Clifford (1848-1933)
Dr. Patrice Harris, M.D. was the 174th president of the American Medical Association. Harris was born and raised in Bluefield, Virginia. She attended local schools and West Virginia University (WVU). Harris received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1982. She continued at WVU, earning … Read MorePatrice A. Harris (1960- )
