Honoring those we lost on August 21 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Julia Hayden Born c. 1857 — died Aug 21, 1874 Reconstruction-era teacher and martyr to Black education. Hayden traveled from Nashville to teach formerly enslaved children in rural Tennessee during Reconstruction. White supremacists murdered the 17-year-old […]
What happened on this day. These are the August 21 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1831 — Nat Turner’s rebellion against slavery begins On Aug 21, 1831, Nat Turner and a group of enslaved people began an armed rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia. After authorities crushed the revolt, white militias […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 21 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Count Basie Birth name: William James Basie Born August 21, 1904 — died April 26, 1984 Jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and architect of swing. Basie led one of jazz’s most […]
Audre Lorde “Your silence will not protect you.” — Audre Lorde Audre Lorde’s voice called for courage and truth. Her words remind us that silence in the face of injustice is complicity.
Honoring those we lost on August 20 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Sathima Bea Benjamin Birth name: Beatrice Bertha Benjamin Born Oct 17, 1936 — died Aug 20, 2013 South African jazz vocalist, composer, lyricist, and longtime New York recording artist. Benjamin carried the musical memory of Cape […]
What happened on this day. These are the August 20 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1964 — Economic Opportunity Act launches major War on Poverty programs On Aug 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act. The law created programs including Job Corps, VISTA, and community action […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 20 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Don King Born August 20, 1931 Boxing promoter and one of the most powerful and controversial figures in modern sports. King promoted many of boxing’s largest events and worked with […]
Booker T. Washington “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” — Booker T. Washington Washington saw service as the path to progress. His message endures — helping others is how we truly rise. Wear the history: Booker T. Washington Coin — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.
Honoring those we lost on August 19 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Dick Gregory Birth name: Richard Claxton Gregory Born Oct 12, 1932 — died Aug 19, 2017 Comedian, writer, civil rights activist, social critic, and health advocate. Gregory broke racial barriers in mainstream comedy by turning segregation, […]
What happened on this day. These are the August 19 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1791 — Benjamin Banneker challenges Thomas Jefferson on slavery On Aug 19, 1791, Black mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker sent Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson a forceful letter condemning slavery. By confronting the contradiction between […]