Honoring those we lost on September 8 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Sarah Mapps Douglass Born September 9, 1806 — died September 8, 1882 Abolitionist, educator, and writer. From a prominent free Black Philadelphia family, Douglass ran one of the earliest rigorous schools for Black girls and helped […]
Prince “I don’t really care so much what people say about me because it usually is a reflection of who they are.” — Prince Prince’s individuality redefined freedom. His words remind us to live authentically, untouched by others’ perceptions.
What happened on this day. These are the September 8 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1957 — Althea Gibson wins the U.S. National Championship On September 8, 1957, Althea Gibson defeated Louise Brough at Forest Hills to become the first Black player to win the U.S. National tennis championship. Fresh […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on September 8 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Buck Leonard Full name: Walter Fenner Leonard Born September 8, 1907 — died November 27, 1997 Negro Leagues Hall of Fame first baseman. Called "the Black Lou Gehrig," Leonard paired […]
Honoring those we lost on September 7 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Bernard Shaw Born May 22, 1940 — died September 7, 2022 Journalist and CNN’s first chief anchor. A Chicago postal worker’s son and Marine who willed himself into journalism, Shaw anchored CNN from its 1980 launch […]
Gil Scott-Heron “You must recognize that the way to get from point A to point B is not the way you’re being told to go.” — Gil Scott-Heron Scott-Heron challenged conformity through art. His words remind us that real change often requires carving a new path.
What happened on this day. These are the September 7 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1968 — The first Miss Black America pageant is held On September 7, 1968, the first Miss Black America pageant crowned Saundra Williams in Atlantic City, staged the same night as the Miss America pageant […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on September 7 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. John Merrick Born September 7, 1859 — died August 6, 1919 Entrepreneur and cofounder of North Carolina Mutual Life. Born enslaved, the Durham barber cofounded NC Mutual Life Insurance in […]
Honoring those we lost on September 6 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Hale Woodruff Full name: Hale Aspacio Woodruff Born August 26, 1900 — died September 6, 1980 Painter, muralist, and educator. Woodruff’s Amistad murals at Talladega College placed the 1839 slave ship rebellion at the center of […]
What happened on this day. These are the September 6 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1848 — Frederick Douglass leads the National Negro Convention in Cleveland On September 6, 1848, Black leaders from across the free states convened the National Negro Convention in Cleveland with Frederick Douglass presiding. The gathering […]