Today in Black History - Sonny Liston

Sonny Liston (1932 - 1970) was the heavyweight boxing champion from 1962 to 1964. He rose from poverty in the rural south to become one of the most dominant and feared professional fighters of the 20th century.

Today in Black history - Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker (1731 1806) overcame the hurdles of racial prejudice and a disadvantaged childhood to become a self-taught surveyor, clock-maker, mathematician, and astronomer. He published a highly regarded almanac, and earned the respect of prominent colleagues in the federal government. He thereby served as an important exemplar of the fundamental equality of the races, the talents of African Americans, and the need for improved treatment of slaves and free Blacks.

Today in Black History - Julian Francis Abele

Julian Francis Abele (1881-1950) was an architect who designed hundreds of important buildings without receiving due recognition during his lifetime. He was the first African American student to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Architecture, and is revered today as the premier black American architect.

Today in Black History - Oliver W. Harrington

 Oliver Wendell Harrington (1912- 1995) was one of America’s most talented and influential political cartoonists in the decades between the Great Depression and the end of the Cold War. After leaving the United States during the McCarthy era, he became a key member of the African American expatriate community in Paris, and lived out his final years in East Germany.

Today in Black History - John Merrick

 John Merrick (1859-1919) began as a shoeshine boy, became a successful barber and barbershop owner, and ultimately built a regional financial empire in North Carolina. Merrick’s life insurance company grew to become the largest black-owned company in the United States.

Today in Black History - Dr. Patricia E. Bath

Dr. Patricia E. Bath (1942 - ) invented a method of eye surgery that has helped many blind people to see. Born in Harlem, New York, on November 4, 1942, Patricia Bath became the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology in 1973. Two years later, she became the first female faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute. In 1976, Bath co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, which established that "eyesight is a basic human right." In 1986, Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe,

Today in Black History - Gordon Parks

Gordon Parks (1912 - 2006) was one of the seminal figures of twentieth century photography. A humanitarian with a deep commitment to social justice, he left behind a body of work that documents many of the most important aspects of American culture from the early 1940s up until his death in 2006, with a focus on race relations, poverty, Civil Rights, and urban life. In addition, Parks was also a celebrated composer, author, and filmmaker who interacted with many of the most prominent people of his era—from politicians and artists to celebrities and athletes.

Beyond The Mic: Episode 006

Like Yankee Doodle coming to town riding on a pony, the 2014 American Olympic team came in looking worse than macaroni. This Beyond the Mic: Sochi edition.

 

Today in Black History - Octavious Valentine Catto

Octavius V. Catto was born in Charleston, S.C. on February 22, 1839. His mother, Sarah Isabella Cain, was a descendant of one of Charleston's most distinguished mulatto families, the DeReefs. His father, William Catto, was an articulate and prominent Presbyterian minister who later became a leader in the black church and worked across its various denominations.

Beyond The Mic: Episode 005

The Super-commercial-Bowl. Our thoughts right here on Beyond The Mic.

Beyond The Mic: Episode 004

The great Destiny vs Halo 5 Debate, plus a bunch of Mass Effect and Bioshock side betting. This is Beyond The Mic.

Guacamelee: Gold Edition Review

Guacamelee is a lot of things and trying to sum it up into a single genre is hard.

Today in Black History - Jan Ernst Matzeliger

Jan Matzeliger ( 1852 - 1889) invented a shoe manufacturing machine that was, at the time, considered impossible. He enabled the creation of the modern shoe industry and billions of dollars of economic value, and affordable shoes for ordinary people everywhere.

Today in Black History - John Wesley Work, Jr & John Wesley Work III

John Wesley Work, Jr. (August 6, 1871 or 1873 - September 7, 1925) was the first African-American collector of folk songs and spirituals, and also a choral director, educationalist and songwriter. He is now sometimes known as John Wesley Work II, to distinguish him from his son, John Wesley Work III.

Today in Black History - Archer Alexander

Archer Alexander (1810 - 1879) was born into slavery, survived several attempts at recapture after his escape, and was ultimately memorialized as the model for the liberated slave appearing with Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Freedmen’s Memorial in Washington, DC, and in a biography written by his benefactor.

Today in Black History - Daniel "Chappie" James

Daniel “Chappie” James (1920 - 1978) dedicated his life to an extraordinary career in the U.S. Air Force. Over the course of three wars, in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, he completed more than 160 combat missions as a fighter pilot. In recognition of his achievements, he received the honor of being the first African American in America’s armed forces to attain the rank of four-star general.

Today in Black History - Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (September 24, 1825 - February 22, 1911) Born free in Baltimore, Maryland, she had a long prolific career, publishing her first book at the age of 20. Her aunt and uncle saw to it that she received good care and a quality education. That uncle, William Watkins, had taught in a school for black children at Sharp Street Memorial Methodist Church. He started his own school, known as the Academy for Negro Youth (also as the Watkins Academy), and there Harper received a classical education, which included Latin, Greek, and the Bible.

Today in Black History - Otis Boykin

Inventor Otis Boykin (1920 - 1982) was born on August 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended Fisk College in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating in 1941.

Today in Black History - Dinah Washington

February 2014 has come and not only do we celebrate our loved ones and shower them with candies and flowers, but we also get to celebrate a very important part of American History... Black  History Month. It is unfortunate that the entire Nation only recognizes this month for the occasion, but in many homes Black History is a continuous celebration. Once again I have chosen to do a special post each day dedicated to a special person in our culture. I hope you all enjoy my articles each day as you did last year. Thank you for your continued support and as always, enjoy.

-Sherry

Beyond The Mic: Episode 003

A quandary on the origins of domesticated bovine.