Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 8 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Keenen Ivory Wayans Born June 8, 1958 Title: Comedian, actor, writer, producer, filmmaker, and television creator Keenen Ivory Wayans is a comedian and filmmaker best known for creating In Living […]
Benjamin Banneker “Presumption should never make us neglect that which appears easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties.” 18th-century astronomer, mathematician, and surveyor of Washington, D.C. Banneker’s quote reminds us to stay humble with easy tasks and brave with hard ones.
Honoring those we lost on June 7 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. James Byrd Jr. Born May 2, 1949 — Died June 7, 1998 Title: Hate-crime victim and symbol in the fight against racist violence James Byrd Jr. was a Black man from Jasper, Texas, whose racist murder […]
What happened on this day. These are the June 7 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1920 — The Ku Klux Klan launches a national publicity campaign On June 7, 1920, Ku Klux Klan leader William Simmons hired publicists to grow the white supremacist organization’s membership. This event matters because it […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 7 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Gwendolyn Brooks Born June 7, 1917 — Died December 3, 2000 Title: Poet, author, teacher, and Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks was one of the most important American poets of […]
Henry Ossian Flipper “The colored cadet is here to stay, and I believe it will be to the interest of the Academy that he be well treated.” First Black graduate of West Point and a symbol of quiet military courage under racism. Flipper’s story is about walking into hostile spaces with fear, courage, and determination.
Honoring those we lost on June 6 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Billy Preston Born September 2, 1946 — Died June 6, 2006 Title: Keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and session musician Billy Preston was a musical prodigy whose work crossed gospel, soul, funk, rock, and R&B. He played with […]
What happened on this day. These are the June 6 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1944 — The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion lands on D-Day On June 6, 1944, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion landed during the Normandy invasion. The unit was made up of African American soldiers and helped […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on June 6 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Marian Wright Edelman Born June 6, 1939 Title: Civil rights lawyer, children’s rights advocate, and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman is a lawyer and civil rights […]
Fannie Lou Hamer “Never to forget where we came from and always praise the bridges that carried us over.” Grassroots voting rights activist who spoke truth to power during the 1964 DNC. Hamer reminds us to honor the people, struggle, and sacrifice that carried us forward.