Those We Lost — June 10

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 the 20th century. Through the Universal Negro Improvement Association, he promoted racial pride, economic independence, global Black unity, and the idea that people of African descent should control their own destiny.

Jack Johnson

Born March 31, 1878 — Died June 10, 1946

Title: Boxer and first Black world heavyweight champion

Jack Johnson became the first Black world heavyweight boxing champion during the Jim Crow era. His confidence, dominance, and refusal to shrink himself in public made him both a sports legend and a target of racist backlash.

Ray Charles

Born September 23, 1930 — Died June 10, 2004

Title: Singer, pianist, composer, bandleader, and soul music pioneer

Ray Charles, often called “The Genius,” helped shape soul music by blending gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and pop. His voice, piano style, arrangements, and emotional delivery made him one of the most important musicians in American history.

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg

Born January 24, 1874 — Died June 10, 1938

Title: Historian, writer, curator, collector, and Black history archivist

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg was an Afro-Puerto Rican scholar whose life’s work centered on documenting the history and achievements of people of African descent. His collection became foundational to what is now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem.

Wear the history: Marcus Garvey · Ray Charles — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.