Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 29 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Monica Calhoun Born July 29, 1971 Actress and Black film and television performer. Calhoun became known for emotional, memorable roles in The Best Man, The Best Man Holiday, The Players […]
Benjamin Mays “The tragedy of life is not found in failure, but in complacency.” Minister, educator, and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mays warns that settling for comfort or mediocrity can be more damaging than attempting something difficult and failing.
Honoring those we lost on July 28 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Harold Bethuel Evans Born October 31, 1907 — died July 28, 1995 Research chemist, Manhattan Project scientist, educator, and nuclear chemistry figure. Evans was one of the few African American scientists connected to the Manhattan Project […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 28 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1868 — Fourteenth Amendment is officially adopted On July 28, 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment was officially certified as part of the U.S. Constitution. Its promises of birthright citizenship, due process, and equal protection became central […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 28 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Vida Blue Full name: Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. Born July 28, 1949 — died May 6, 2023 Major League Baseball pitcher, Cy Young winner, MVP, and World Series champion. Blue […]
Sylvia del Villard “Poetry is the breath I hold to remember I am free.” Afro-Caribbean poet, activist, and defender of African heritage in Puerto Rico. The quote presents poetry as an act of cultural memory, personal freedom, and resistance against erasure.
Honoring those we lost on July 27 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Garrett Morgan Full name: Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr. Born March 4, 1877 — died July 27, 1963 Inventor, businessman, newspaper publisher, and public safety innovator. Morgan became one of the most important Black inventors of the […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 27 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1919 — Chicago Race Riot begins during Red Summer On July 27, 1919, Black teenager Eugene Williams was killed after drifting across an unofficial racial line at a Chicago beach. Police refusal to arrest the […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 27 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Maya Rudolph Full name: Maya Khabira Rudolph Born July 27, 1972 Actress, comedian, singer, voice actor, and Saturday Night Live performer. Rudolph brought music, comedy, character work, and emotional range […]
Booker T. Washington “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” Educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute. Washington connects personal growth with service, teaching that helping others rise can elevate one’s own life. Wear the history: Booker T. Washington Coin — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.