Florence Price “To begin with, I have two handicaps — those of sex and race.” First Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra. Price identifies the connected barriers of racism and sexism that Black women faced within American classical music.
Honoring those we lost on July 13 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Lesley Riddle Also known as: Esley Riddle Born June 13, 1905 — died July 13, 1979 Musician, guitarist, singer, song collector, and overlooked Black influence on early country music. Riddle helped shape the sound of the […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 13 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1863 — New York City Draft Riots begin On July 13, 1863, the New York City Draft Riots began. What started as anger over Civil War draft laws quickly became an anti-Black massacre, as white […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 13 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Albert Ayler Born July 13, 1936 — died November 25, 1970 Avant-garde jazz saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and free jazz innovator. Ayler pushed jazz into more spiritual, experimental, and emotionally intense […]
James Forten “Let us not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters.” Wealthy Black abolitionist and businessman who funded antislavery efforts. This message places justice above gradual compromise and calls for an unrelenting struggle against oppression.
Honoring those we lost on July 12 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Rose McClendon Born August 27, 1884 — died July 12, 1936 Actress, theater organizer, Harlem Renaissance stage figure, and Black theater pioneer. McClendon became one of the leading Black stage actresses of her generation and helped […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 12 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1949 — Frederick McKinley Jones receives mobile refrigeration patents On July 12, 1949, Frederick McKinley Jones received important patents connected to mobile refrigeration. His inventions helped make refrigerated trucking possible, changing food transportation, medicine delivery, […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 12 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Ray Scott Birth name: John Raymond Scott Born July 12, 1938 Professional basketball player, coach, and first Black NBA Coach of the Year. Scott moved from a long playing career […]
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler “I early conceived a liking for, and sought every opportunity to, relieve the suffering of others.” First Black woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree. Crumpler describes compassion as the motivation behind her medical career and service to underserved communities.
Honoring those we lost on July 11 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Mifflin Wistar Gibbs Born April 17, 1823 — died July 11, 1915 Businessman, newspaper publisher, lawyer, judge, diplomat, banker, and Black political pioneer. Gibbs moved through many fields during the 19th century, from abolitionist circles and […]