Category: History
-
Discover how Eugene Bullard overcame racism to become the first Black American combat pilot, earning France’s highest honors while fighting in World War I and living an extraordinary life across two continents.
-
Lewis Hamilton used his 2024 Met Gala outfit to honor John Ystumllyn, one of Britain’s first Black gardeners, with a powerful tribute in custom Burberry.
-
Jackie Ormes was the first Black woman cartoonist whose nationally published work inspired and empowered through characters like Torchy Brown and Patty-Jo.
-
Chuck Cooper was the first Black player drafted into the NBA in 1950 by the Boston Celtics, paving the way for generations of athletes.
-
Jehosie Heard made history as the Baltimore Orioles’ first Black player in 1954, overcoming barriers from the Negro leagues to reach the majors during baseball’s slow journey toward integration.
-
In 1967, Sammy Davis Jr. became the first Black man on the cover of GQ, redefined style and cool, and made an unforgettable impact on fashion and culture. Learn about his groundbreaking legacy.
-
Discover how Asquith Xavier challenged whites-only hiring at London’s Euston Station in 1966, becoming the first Black train guard there despite death threats and establishing a crucial civil rights precedent in British employment.
-
Liverpool honors James Clarke, a Guyanese immigrant who saved dozens from drowning, with a new mural celebrating his legacy as the first Black man with a Liverpool street named after him.
-
Discover how Bettye Jean Davis made history as Alaska’s first Black woman State Senator in 2000 and championed vulnerable populations throughout her pioneering political career.
-
Discover how James Williams overcame slavery to become Santa Clara’s first African American resident, successful entrepreneur, and honored volunteer firefighter whose legacy continues through community remembrance today.
Recent Posts
- Hawaii’s First Black Hula Master Honors MLK with Soulful Tribute While Bridging African American and Hawaiian Heritage Through Dance and Song
- Juliet Sargeant Earned a Royal Gold Medal as the First Black Woman to Design a Show Garden at Chelsea Flower Show
- Stars Lit Up the 2025 Met Gala Honoring Josephine Baker, the First Black Woman to Star in a Major Film
- Eugene Bullard Took to the Skies as the First Black American Combat Pilot and Fought with Courage for France
- Ernestine Chambers Opens Baltimore’s First Black Woman-Owned Bodega Serving Up Classic New York Flavors
