Archive
On May 6, 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower put his signature on the Civil Rights Act of 1960. The significant legislation ushered in federal…
Raised by former slaves who had fled to Canada via the Underground Railroad, McCoy went on to patent nearly 60 inventions.
On May 1, 1901, professor, poet, and literary critic Sterling A. Brown was born in Washington, D.C. He is best known for his work…
On April 29, 1899, Duke Ellington, an accomplished jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, was born in Washington, D.C. Over a career spanning…
Collaborating with luminaries such as Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong, her influence extended far beyond her own recordings. Rainey's music inspired the likes of…
Renowned as one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar," alongside B.B. King and Freddie King, he is celebrated for his…
Jazz saxophonist Joe Henderson was born on April 25, 1937 in Ohio. Following his stint in the U.S. Army from 1960 to…
Cheyney University, originally known as the African Institute, was established on April 19, 1837. Billing itself as the oldest African-American institution of higher…
On April 18, 1977, author and historian Alex Haley received the Pulitzer Prize in journalism for his groundbreaking novel “Roots: The Saga…
On April 10, 1972, Sammy Davis Jr. made history as the first African-American to host the Academy Awards. Sharing hosting duties with…
The African National Congress (ANC) was banned on this day in 1960. In 1912, the ANC emerged as South Africa’s governing party…
Eddie Murphy was born on April 3, 1961. From his humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York, Murphy rose to prominence with his…