On December 12, 1975, National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) was founded in Washington, D.C. NABJ is a nonprofit organization that was created to empower Black journalism students and media professionals.
Category Archives: Today in History
Blues singer Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton was born in 1926
On December 11, 1926, Willie Mae Thornton was born. Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton was a famous blues singer.
Ralph Bunche became the first African American to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 1950
On December 10, 1950, American diplomat Ralph Bunche became the first African American to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Civil rights lawyer Charles Douglas Langford, represented Rosa Parks, was born in 1922
On December 9, 1922, Charles Douglas Langford was born. Charles Langford famously represented Rosa Parks in her historic Montgomery bus segregation case. Rosa Parks was arrested on December 1, 1955 after refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus.
Activist and opera singer Zelma Watson George was born in 1903
On December 8, 1903, activist and opera singer Zelma Watson George was born in Texas. Zelma Watson George was influential during the 1900s. During her lifetime, George worked as a social worker, dean, opera singer and U.S delegate, cementing her legacy worldwide.
Reginald F. Lewis, the first African American to build a billion dollar company, was born in 1942
On December 7, 1942, American businessman Reginald F. Lewis was born. Reginald F. Lewis is remembered as one of the wealthiest black men in American history. He was the first African American to build a billion dollar company, the TLC Beatrice International.
Lee Brown became the first Black mayor of Houston in 1997
On December 6, 1997, Dr. Lee Brown was elected as the first Black mayor of Houston.
Former South African president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela died in 2013
On December 5, 2013, former South African president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95. Former South African president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. Nelson Mandela is widely known for his role in ending years of racial apartheid in South Africa. Mandela served 27 years in prison for political causes, before becoming the first democratically elected president of South Africa. He served as president for one year from 1994 to 1999.
Black Panther leader Fred Hampton was assassinated during a Chicago police raid in 1969
On December 4, 1969, Black Panther leader Fred Hampton was assassinated during a Chicago police raid. After years of activism and service, eventually Hampton caught the attention of law enforcement agencies including the FBI. Shortly thereafter, Fred Hampton was killed in a police raid on December 4, 1969.
Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize award, died in 2000
On December 3, 2000, Gwendolyn Brooks died at the age of 83. Gwendolyn Brooks was a famous poet and author during the 1900s. Brooks used literature to detail Black stories and experiences. In 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks won a Pulitzer Prize for her literacy work “Annie Allen.” She became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize.
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