The Founding of Fisk University and the Fight for Black Education
In 1866, just one year after the end of the Civil War, Fisk University was founded in Nashville, Tennessee. At a time when formerly enslaved Black Americans were fighting not…
When Black Men Won the Right to Vote in Washington, D.C.
Black Men Won the Right to Vote On January 8, 1867, a major, yet often overlooked, milestone in Black history occurred. On this day, Black men in Washington, D.C., were…
Phillis Wheatley Changed American Literature Forever
Phillis Wheatley became the first Black woman poet to be published in American history. Born in West Africa and enslaved as a child. Wheatley taught herself to read and write…
Haiti Punished for Winning Independence
When Haiti became the world's first Black republic in 1804, it should have been a moment of global celebration. Instead, it became a warning. Haiti was born after formerly enslaved…
Black Wall Street Still Makes People Uncomfortable
To this day, Black Wall Street Still Makes People Uncomfortable. Before the phrase “generational wealth” became popular on social media, black Americans had already built it. In the early 1900s, the…
Black Music Didn’t Just Shape the Industry — It Built It
Long before streaming platforms, major labels, or viral moments, Black music was already shaping the sound of America — often without credit, ownership, or protection. What many people don’t realize…
January 6, 1993: Jazz Icon Dizzy Gillespie Dies at 75
RIP Dizzy Gillespie On January 6, 1993, Dizzy Gillespie, one of the architects of modern jazz, passed away at the age of 75. Gillespie was a founding father of bebop.…
Medgar Evers: A Life Taken for Demanding Justice
On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi. He was 37 years old. Evers’ murder was not random. It was a targeted act meant…
Sidney Poitier Remembered: A Giant of Film and Dignity
Sidney Poitier Remembered: A Legacy That Redefined Hollywood On January 6, 2022, Sidney Poitier, one of the most influential figures in American film history, passed away at the age of…
Five Black Authors We Should All Know About
Black authors have documented our history when no one else would, protected our stories when they were ignored, and shaped culture far beyond bookshelves. These five are non-negotiable. 1. James…