Maggie L. Walker “Let us put our moneys together… let us have a bank that will take the nickels and turn them into dollars.” First Black woman to charter and preside over a bank in the U.S. Walker promotes cooperative economics: pooling small amounts of money to create lasting Black financial power.
Honoring those we lost on July 2 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. DeFord Bailey Born December 14, 1899 — died July 2, 1982 Harmonica player, country and blues musician, songwriter, and Grand Ole Opry pioneer. Bailey became one of the earliest stars of the Grand Ole Opry and […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 2 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1917 — East St. Louis massacre enters its deadliest phase On July 2, 1917, white mobs in East St. Louis attacked Black workers and Black neighborhoods. The violence included shootings, beatings, arson, and mass displacement, […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 2 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Thurgood Marshall Birth name: Thoroughgood Marshall Born July 2, 1908 — died January 24, 1993 Civil rights lawyer, Supreme Court Justice, and first Black Justice of the United States Supreme […]
Henrietta Vinton Davis “Let us arise from the dust and shadows of the past.” Elocutionist and activist; a powerful voice in the Garvey movement. (Born July 2, 1860) Davis calls Black people to rise beyond the injuries of the past and move collectively toward liberation.
Honoring those we lost on July 1 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Henry Johnson Full name: William Henry Johnson Born July 15, 1892 — died July 1, 1929 World War I soldier, Harlem Hellfighter, Medal of Honor recipient, and battlefield hero. Johnson served with the 369th Infantry Regiment, […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 1 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1898 — Buffalo Soldiers fight at San Juan and Kettle Hills On July 1, 1898, Black soldiers from the 9th and 10th Cavalry played a major role in the assault on San Juan and Kettle […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 1 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Thomas A. Dorsey Born July 1, 1899 — died January 23, 1993 Gospel composer, blues musician, pianist, publisher, and father of gospel music figure. Dorsey helped shape modern gospel by […]
William Wells Brown “The duty we owe to ourselves requires us to speak truth to power.” First African American novelist and a formerly enslaved abolitionist. Brown’s words frame truth-telling as a responsibility Black people owe themselves when confronting injustice.
Honoring those we lost on June 30 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Clarence Cameron White Born August 10, 1880 — Died June 30, 1960 Title: Violinist, composer, educator, and Black classical music figure Clarence Cameron White was a concert violinist and composer whose work belongs to the long […]