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, […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 21 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Fats Waller Born May 21, 1904 — Died December 15, 1943 Field: Jazz / Piano / Composition / Harlem Renaissance Fats Waller was a pianist, organist, composer, singer, and entertainer […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 20 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. David A. Paterson Born May 20, 1954 Field: Politics / Disability History / New York Government / Black Political Firsts David Paterson became the first African American governor of New […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 19 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Malcolm X Born May 19, 1925 — Died February 21, 1965 Field: Civil Rights / Black Nationalism / Islam / Human Rights Malcolm X was one of the most influential […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 18 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Reggie Jackson Born May 18, 1946 Field: Baseball / MLB / Black Sports Culture Reginald Martinez Jackson, known as “Mr. October,” is a Baseball Hall of Famer remembered for his […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 17 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Frederick McKinley Jones Born May 17, 1893 — Died February 21, 1961 Field: Invention / Refrigeration / Transportation / Engineering Frederick McKinley Jones was an inventor and engineer best known […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 16 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Laura Wheeler Waring Born May 16, 1887 — Died February 3, 1948 Field: Visual Art / Portraiture / Education / Harlem Renaissance Era Laura Wheeler Waring was a painter and […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 15 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Diane Nash Born May 15, 1938 Field: Civil Rights / Freedom Rides / SNCC / Nonviolent Direct Action Diane Nash is a civil rights strategist and organizer who emerged from […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 14 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Archie Alphonso Alexander Born May 14, 1888 — Died January 4, 1958 Field: Engineering / Architecture / Mathematics / Public Works Archie Alexander was an engineer, architect, mathematician, and businessman […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on May 13 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Edward Park Duplex Born May 13, 1831 — Died January 5, 1900 Field: Politics / Business / Black Mayors / California History Edward Park Duplex became mayor of Wheatland, California, […]