Nina Simone “You don’t have to live next to me. Just give me my equality.” — Nina Simone Simone demanded dignity without compromise. Her music and words echo the cry for equality — not tolerance, but respect. Wear the history: Nina Simone — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.
Honoring those we lost on September 3 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Papa Jo Jones Full name: Jonathan David Samuel Jones Born October 7, 1911 — died September 3, 1985 Jazz drummer and architect of modern swing. As the pulse of the great Count Basie rhythm section, Jones […]
What happened on this day. These are the September 3 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1838 — Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery On September 3, 1838, twenty-year-old Frederick Douglass boarded a northbound train in Baltimore disguised as a free Black sailor and carrying borrowed seaman’s papers. Within twenty-four hours he […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on September 3 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Bessie Delany Full name: Annie Elizabeth Delany Born September 3, 1891 — died September 25, 1995 Dentist, author, and centenarian witness to Black history. The second Black woman licensed to […]
James Baldwin “To be Black and conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage.” — James Baldwin Baldwin spoke truth about the tension of awareness. His insight urges us to turn righteous anger into purposeful action. Wear the history: James Baldwin — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.
Honoring those we lost on September 2 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Gerald Wilson Born September 4, 1918 — died September 2, 2014 Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator. Wilson wrote for Ellington, Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Ray Charles, led his own celebrated […]
What happened on this day. These are the September 2 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1957 — Governor Faubus surrounds Central High with the National Guard On September 2, 1957, Arkansas governor Orval Faubus ordered the National Guard to surround Little Rock Central High School to block nine Black students […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on September 2 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. James Forten Born September 2, 1766 — died March 4, 1842 Abolitionist, inventor, entrepreneur, and Revolutionary War veteran. Born free in Philadelphia, Forten built one of the city’s most successful […]
Maya Angelou “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” — Maya Angelou Angelou believed courage was the foundation of moral strength. Her message calls us to act with integrity even when afraid. Wear the history: Maya Angelou — from the Black Knowledge Wear […]
Honoring those we lost on September 1 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Ethel Waters Born October 31, 1896 — died September 1, 1977 Singer, actress, and entertainment pioneer. Waters rose from poverty in Chester, Pennsylvania, to introduce enduring songs including "Stormy Weather" and "His Eye Is on the […]