Honoring those we lost on May 6 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Otis Blackwell Born February 16, 1931 — Died May 6, 2002 Field: Songwriting / Rock and Roll / R&B / Popular Music Otis Blackwell was a Brooklyn-born songwriter whose work helped shape early rock and roll. […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 6 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 6, 1787 — African Lodge No. 459 is organized in Boston Category: Black Fraternal Institutions / Prince Hall Freemasonry / Mutual Aid African Lodge No. 459 was organized in Boston under Prince Hall’s leadership […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 6 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Martin R. Delany Born May 6, 1812 — Died January 24, 1885 Field: Abolition / Medicine / Journalism / Black Nationalism / Military Service Martin Robison Delany was an abolitionist, […]
“The crown of literature is poetry.” — Langston Hughes Hughes elevated poetry as a vessel for Black voice and truth.
Honoring those we lost on May 5 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Caroline Bond Day Born August 18, 1889 — Died May 5, 1948 Field: Anthropology / Education / Race Studies / Black Identity Caroline Bond Day was an anthropologist, writer, and educator whose work challenged racist assumptions […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 5 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 5, 1868 — Martha Jones receives U.S. Patent No. 77,494 Category: Black Inventors / Agriculture / Reconstruction-era Innovation Martha Jones of Amelia County, Virginia, received a patent for an improvement in corn husking and […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 5 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Johnnie Taylor Born May 5, 1934 — Died May 31, 2000 Field: Gospel / Soul / R&B / Blues / Disco Johnnie Harrison Taylor was a major vocalist whose career […]
“I don’t want to be the next anybody—I want to be the first me.” — Ruby Dee Dee emphasized self-definition and creative independence.
Honoring those we lost on May 4 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. James Presley Ball Born 1825 — Died May 4, 1904 Field: Photography / Abolition / Black Business / Visual History James Presley Ball was a photographer, daguerreotypist, abolitionist, and businessman whose work helped document Black life […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 4 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 4, 1884 — Ida B. Wells resists segregation on a train Category: Civil Rights Before Civil Rights / Legal Resistance / Black Women’s Activism Ida B. Wells bought a first-class ticket and refused to […]