Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on October 29 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Harriet Powers Born October 29, 1837 — died January 1, 1910 Quilt artist and visual storyteller. Powers, who was born enslaved in Georgia, created quilts that used appliquéd figures to […]
Langston Hughes “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or does it explode?” — Langston Hughes Hughes captured the tension of delayed justice. His words speak to the urgency of fulfilling the promise of equality.
Honoring those we lost on October 28 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Edward A. Bouchet Born September 15, 1852 — died October 28, 1918 Physicist, educator, and school administrator Bouchet became the first Black American to earn a doctorate from an American university and one of the earliest […]
What happened on this day. These are the October 28 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1830 — Josiah Henson reached freedom in Upper Canada After escaping slavery in Kentucky in September 1830 and crossing the Ohio River into Indiana with his wife and four children, Josiah Henson reached Upper Canada […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on October 28 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Cleo Laine Born October 28, 1927 (at least one obituary gives October 27) — died July 24, 2025 British jazz singer and actress. Laine became internationally recognized for her vocal […]
Frederick Douglass “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” — Frederick Douglass Douglass’s wisdom shaped generations. His insight calls us to invest in youth and the lessons of character. Wear the history: Frederick Douglass — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.
Honoring those we lost on October 27 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Ernest Everett Just Born August 14, 1883 — died October 27, 1941 Cell biologist, embryologist, zoologist, author, and professor Just conducted foundational research on fertilization, embryonic development, and the living cell surface at Howard University, the […]
What happened on this day. These are the October 27 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1891 — Philip B. Downing received patents for a street letter box U.S. Patent No. 462,092, for a street letter box designed so that mail could be collected more rapidly and easily, was issued to […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on October 27 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Newt Joseph Full name: Walter Lee Joseph Born October 27, 1896 — died January 18, 1953 Negro Leagues infielder and manager. Joseph spent much of his baseball career with the […]
Malcolm X “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” — Malcolm X Malcolm X linked liberty to true peace. His message remains a blueprint for justice and self-determination. Wear the history: Malcolm X — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.