What happened on this day. These are the August 14 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1908 — The Springfield Race Riot begins in Illinois On August 14, 1908, a white mob began attacking Black residents, homes, and businesses in Springfield, Illinois. The three days of violence included two lynchings and […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 14 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Ernest Everett Just Born August 14, 1883 — died October 27, 1941 Biologist, marine scientist, author, professor, and pioneering cell researcher. Just became an internationally respected scientist through research on […]
Angela Davis “It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism.” — Angela Davis Angela Davis reminds us that power lies in community. Real progress grows when people unite for a shared vision of freedom.
Honoring those we lost on August 13 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Caterina Jarboro Birth name: Katherine Lee Yarborough Born Jul 24, 1898 — died Aug 13, 1986 Opera singer and pioneering Black prima donna on the American opera stage. Jarboro built an international career in Europe before […]
What happened on this day. These are the August 13 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1906 — The Brownsville Affair begins in Texas On the night of August 13, 1906, gunfire in Brownsville, Texas, was blamed on Black soldiers of the Twenty-fifth Infantry despite conflicting evidence and their denials. President […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 13 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. James B. Parsons Full name: James Benton Parsons Born August 13, 1911 — died June 19, 1993 Attorney, federal judge, educator, musician, and judicial trailblazer. Parsons became the first African […]
Gwendolyn Brooks “Live not for battles won, live not for the end-of-the-song.” — Gwendolyn Brooks Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black Pulitzer Prize winner, celebrated life’s continuous rhythm. Her message: joy and purpose exist in the journey, not the ending.
Honoring those we lost on August 12 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Luther Allison Full name: Luther Sylvester Allison Born Aug 17, 1939 — died Aug 12, 1997 Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, bandleader, and Chicago blues powerhouse. Allison carried the electric Chicago blues tradition onto international stages with […]
What happened on this day. These are the August 12 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1922 — Frederick Douglass’s Cedar Hill home is dedicated as a memorial On August 12, 1922, the restored Frederick Douglass Memorial Home at Cedar Hill was formally dedicated in Washington, D.C. Black women’s organizations, including […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 12 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Lillian Evanti Birth name: Annie Wilson Lillian Evans Born August 12, 1890 — died December 6, 1967 Opera singer, composer, concert artist, and civil rights advocate. Evanti became the first […]