Honoring those we lost on May 31 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. John Jones Born November 3, 1817 — Died May 31, 1879 Field: Abolition / Underground Railroad / Civil Rights / Chicago Black History John Jones was an abolitionist, businessman, civil rights activist, and one of Chicago’s […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 31 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 31, 1870 — Enforcement Act of 1870 becomes law Category: Reconstruction / Voting Rights / Federal Protection / Anti-Klan Law The Enforcement Act of 1870, also known as the First Ku Klux Klan Act […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 31 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Shirley Verrett Born May 31, 1931 — Died November 5, 2010 Field: Opera / Classical Voice / Black Women in Music Shirley Verrett was an opera singer known for her […]
“Liberty is a hard-bought thing.” — Sojourner Truth Truth reminds us that freedom always comes with sacrifice.
Honoring those we lost on May 30 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Sun Ra Born May 22, 1914 — Died May 30, 1993 Field: Jazz / Afrofuturism / Experimental Music Sun Ra died on May 30, 1993. Why it matters: His death marked the passing of one of […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 30 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 30, 1921 — The elevator incident involving Dick Rowland becomes the trigger point before the Tulsa Race Massacre Category: Black Wall Street / Racial Terror / Tulsa / False Accusation Dick Rowland, a young […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 30 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Countee Cullen Born May 30, 1903 — Died January 9, 1946 Field: Harlem Renaissance / Poetry / Literature Countee Cullen was a poet, novelist, playwright, and one of the major […]
“The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy.” — Langston Hughes Hughes warns us not to let emotional armor block connection.
Honoring those we lost on May 29 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Oscar Brown Jr. Born October 10, 1926 — Died May 29, 2005 Field: Music / Jazz / Theater / Poetry / Civil Rights / Black Arts Oscar Brown Jr. was a singer, songwriter, playwright, poet, actor, […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 29 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 29, 1851 — Sojourner Truth delivers her women’s rights speech in Akron, Ohio Category: Abolition / Black Women’s Rights / Women’s Rights Movement Sojourner Truth spoke at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. […]