“We must protest, we must cry out, and we must continue to fight.” — Ida B. Wells Wells led with bold truth-telling and persistent activism.
Honoring those we lost on May 23 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Vernon D. Jarrett Born June 19, 1921 — Died May 23, 2004 Field: Journalism / Black Press / Television / Civil Rights Commentary Vernon Jarrett was a journalist, columnist, broadcaster, and commentator whose career connected the […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 23 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 23, 1900 — Sgt. William H. Carney is issued the Medal of Honor Category: Civil War / Medal of Honor / Black Military Firsts Sgt. William Harvey Carney received the Medal of Honor for […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 23 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Scatman Crothers Born May 23, 1910 — Died November 22, 1986 Field: Acting / Music / Voice Performance / Television Scatman Crothers was an actor, singer, dancer, drummer, and voice […]
“I will not shrink from doing what I think is right, even if it’s unpopular.” — Barbara Jordan Jordan’s courage helped reshape American democracy.
Honoring those we lost on May 22 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Claude McKay Born September 15, 1889 — Died May 22, 1948 Field: Harlem Renaissance / Poetry / Fiction / Radical Politics Claude McKay was a poet and novelist whose work became central to the Harlem Renaissance. […]
What happened on this day. These are the May 22 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. May 22, 1863 — War Department General Order 143 creates the United States Colored Troops Category: Civil War / Black Military Service / United States Colored Troops The War Department issued General Order 143, creating […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 22 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Sun Ra Born May 22, 1914 — Died May 30, 1993 Field: Jazz / Afrofuturism / Experimental Music / Black Imagination Sun Ra was a composer, bandleader, pianist, poet, philosopher, […]
“If they don’t let us read, we’ll learn to write.” — Phillis Wheatley Despite being enslaved, Wheatley broke literary barriers.
Honoring those we lost on May 21 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Katherine Dunham Born June 22, 1909 — Died May 21, 2006 Field: Dance / Anthropology / Choreography / Black Cultural Scholarship Katherine Dunham was a dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, educator, and social activist. Why it matters: Dunham […]