Systemic racism kept him from a position in higher education—but it didn’t stop Charles Henry Turner from rewriting our understanding of bees, ants, and cockroaches. BY EDWARD D. MELILLO AUGUST 15,…
Category: Historical Figures
The Proud Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers
In 1866, an Act of Congress created six all-black peacetime regiments, later consolidated into four –– the 9th and 10th Cavalry, and the 24th and 25th Infantry –– who became…
For Pilot Bessie Coleman, Every ‘No’ Got Her Closer to ‘Yes’
Despite fierce obstacles in her path, the Black female aviator became a hero that would pave the way for generations to come by David Kindy Correspondent Once again, Bessie Coleman—the first…
How Edmonia Lewis Changed The Art World Forever
By Sarah January/June 11, 2022 Over the centuries the art world has seen many iconic sculptors. From Michelangelo to Picasso, Donatello to Rodin, these artists created some of the incredible…
How Emmett Till’s murder inspired Rod Serling to create the original ‘Twilight Zone’ series
Frustrated by censors, Serling went a different route, with great success. Annie Reneau The original “Twilight Zone” series was unlike anything anyone had ever seen on television. Airing from 1959…
Joseph H. Rainey 1832–1887
Joseph Rainey was sworn in on December 12, 1870—first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born enslaved, Joseph Rainey was the first African American to serve…
Siren of the Resistance: The Artistry and Espionage of Josephine Baker
Iconic entertainer of the Jazz Age, famous for her risqué performances, Josephine Baker responded to the start of World War II by becoming a spy for the French Resistance. Known…
Charity Adams Earley
1918-2002 Commanding officer of the first unit of WAC African Americans to go overseas. Her unit was the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. By Dr. Kelly A. Spring | 2017 Educator,…
The True Story Of Cathay Williams, The First Black Woman To Join The U.S. Army
By Genevieve Carlton | Checked By Jaclyn AnglisPublished September 28, 2021 At the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, over 400 women disguised themselves in order to join in the fray. But…
Breakfast with the Panthers
It wasn’t all young men and guns: the Black Panther Party’s programs fed more hungry kids than the state of California Suzanne Cope is a narrative journalist and professor at…