Those We Lost — July 18

Honoring those we lost on July 18 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind.

Willa Brown Chappell

Birth name: Willa Beatrice Brown

Born January 22, 1906 — died July 18, 1992

Aviator, educator, civil rights advocate, Civil Air Patrol officer, and Black aviation pioneer.

Brown became the first African American woman licensed as a pilot in the United States and later the first African American officer in the Civil Air Patrol. Her work helped train Black pilots and helped prepare the path that led toward the Tuskegee Airmen.

Harry S. McAlpin

Full name: Harry Sylvester McAlpin Jr.

Born July 21, 1906 — died July 18, 1985

Journalist, lawyer, civil rights advocate, and first Black reporter to attend a U.S. presidential press conference.

McAlpin broke a major barrier in 1944 when he entered the White House press corps as a Black journalist. Even while facing exclusion from press institutions, he questioned presidents, represented the Black press, practiced law, and continued a public life connected to civil rights and Black political access.

Sekou Sundiata

Birth name: Robert Franklin Feaster

Born August 22, 1948 — died July 18, 2007

Poet, spoken-word artist, performer, playwright, educator, and Black Arts tradition voice.

Sundiata came out of Harlem and became known for blending poetry, performance, music, theater, and political reflection. His work carried the energy of the Black Arts Movement into classrooms, stages, and spoken-word traditions that influenced later artists.