Honoring those we lost on June 12 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Medgar Evers Born July 2, 1925 — Died June 12, 1963 Title: Civil rights activist, NAACP field secretary, and voting rights organizer Medgar Evers was a civil rights leader in Mississippi who fought segregation, voter suppression, […]
Honoring those we lost on June 11 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Ruby Dee Born October 27, 1922 — Died June 11, 2014 Title: Actress, writer, poet, playwright, and civil rights activist Ruby Dee was a pioneering actress whose work stretched across stage, film, television, and radio. Alongside […]
Honoring those we lost on June 10 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Marcus Garvey Born August 17, 1887 — Died June 10, 1940 Title: Pan-Africanist, Black nationalist, publisher, organizer, and founder of the UNIA Marcus Garvey was one of the most influential Black nationalist and Pan-African leaders of […]
Honoring those we lost on June 9 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Alain Locke Born September 13, 1885 — Died June 9, 1954 Title: Philosopher, educator, writer, and Harlem Renaissance architect Alain Locke was a philosopher and educator often called the “Dean” of the Harlem Renaissance. His anthology […]
Honoring those we lost on June 8 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Bonnie Pointer Born July 11, 1950 — Died June 8, 2020 Title: Singer, songwriter, and founding member of The Pointer Sisters Bonnie Pointer helped form The Pointer Sisters, a group that moved through gospel, soul, country, […]
Honoring those we lost on June 7 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. James Byrd Jr. Born May 2, 1949 — Died June 7, 1998 Title: Hate-crime victim and symbol in the fight against racist violence James Byrd Jr. was a Black man from Jasper, Texas, whose racist murder […]
Honoring those we lost on June 6 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Billy Preston Born September 2, 1946 — Died June 6, 2006 Title: Keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and session musician Billy Preston was a musical prodigy whose work crossed gospel, soul, funk, rock, and R&B. He played with […]
Honoring those we lost on June 5 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Mary Ann Shadd Cary Born October 9, 1823 — Died June 5, 1893 Title: Abolitionist, journalist, publisher, teacher, and lawyer Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a pioneering Black activist and one of the most important women […]
Honoring those we lost on June 4 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Arna Bontemps Born October 13, 1902 — Died June 4, 1973 Title: Poet, novelist, librarian, and Harlem Renaissance writer Arna Bontemps was a major literary figure connected to the Harlem Renaissance. His work as a poet, […]
Honoring those we lost on June 3 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Muhammad Ali Born January 17, 1942 — Died June 3, 2016 Title: Boxer, activist, humanitarian, and cultural icon Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history and one of the most recognizable athletes […]