Honoring those we lost on May 21 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Katherine Dunham Born June 22, 1909 — Died May 21, 2006 Field: Dance / Anthropology / Choreography / Black Cultural Scholarship Katherine Dunham was a dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, educator, and social activist. Why it matters: Dunham […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 21 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 21, 1881 — Blanche K. Bruce becomes Register of the Treasury Category: Reconstruction Legacy / Federal Office / Black Political Firsts Blanche Kelso Bruce became Register of the Treasury. The position placed his name […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 21 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Fats Waller Born May 21, 1904 — Died December 15, 1943 Field: Jazz / Piano / Composition / Harlem Renaissance Fats Waller was a pianist, organist, composer, singer, and entertainer […]
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” — Frederick Douglass Douglass valued early guidance to shape future generations.
Honoring those we lost on May 20 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Nannie Helen Burroughs Born May 2, 1879 — Died May 20, 1961 Field: Education / Black Women’s Organizing / National Baptist Convention / Labor Nannie Helen Burroughs was an educator, orator, religious leader, and founder of […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 20 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 20, 1865 — Emancipation is proclaimed in Tallahassee, Florida Category: Emancipation / Local Freedom Traditions / Florida Black History Union Brigadier General Edward McCook formally announced the Emancipation Proclamation from the steps of the […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 20 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. David A. Paterson Born May 20, 1954 Field: Politics / Disability History / New York Government / Black Political Firsts David Paterson became the first African American governor of New […]
“Revolution begins with the self, in the self.” — Toni Cade Bambara Bambara believed liberation starts from within.
Honoring those we lost on May 19 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Mary Turner Born c. 1899 — Died May 19, 1918 Field: Racial Terror / Lynching / Black Women’s History / Georgia Mary Turner was lynched in Georgia after speaking out against the lynching of her husband, […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 19 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 19, 1918 — Mary Turner is lynched in Brooks County, Georgia Category: Lynching / Racial Terror / Black Women’s History Mary Turner was lynched after protesting the lynching of her husband, Hayes Turner. She […]