Category: History
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Sylvia Mathis made history as the first Black woman to join the FBI in 1976, defying the odds and breaking barriers within one of the nation’s most prestigious agencies.
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Wilberforce Mfum, Ghana’s first AFCON goalscorer and football icon, has passed away at 88. Learn about his remarkable life and legacy.
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Discover the inspiring story of Milton C. Alford, a pioneering Black firefighter who helped integrate the Houston Fire Department in 1955, breaking racial barriers with courage and dedication.
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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.
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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.
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Jackie Ormes was the first Black woman cartoonist whose nationally published work inspired and empowered through characters like Torchy Brown and Patty-Jo.
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Chuck Cooper was the first Black player drafted into the NBA in 1950 by the Boston Celtics, paving the way for generations of athletes.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Recent Posts
- Ernestine Chambers and Naté Gordon Open Baltimore’s First Black and Woman-Owned Bodega, Blending New York Flavor with Local Opportunity
- Alma Thomas—First to Earn a Fine Arts Degree from Howard in 1924—Honored With D.C. Street Renaming Near Her Longtime Studio
- James P. Humphrey, Sidney’s First Black Mayor, Inspires Ongoing Scholarship Support Empowering Local Black Students’ Academic Success
- Oakland’s First Black Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell Ends Tenure After Reviving District Finances and Boosting Graduation Rates
- Tom Bradley Became Los Angeles’ First Black Mayor in 1973, Leading the City Through 20 Transformative Years
