To close out this wonderful month, I’ve decided to include the remaining days below. I’ve also included a few of the well-known “forgotten”. A few of these individuals were looked over and did not expect any recognition for their contribution to the history of African American people.

February 21st

Birthdates:

Robert G. Mugabe (1924) First Prime Minister in Zimbabwe, Revolutionary, Politician; Nina Simone (1933-2003) Singer/Songwriter, Pianist, Arranger, Civil Rights Activist; Leroy R. Burrell (1967) Track and Field Athlete with two World Records set in the Olympics; Aunjanue L. Ellis (1969) Actress in Film, Stage, TV, Producer; Jordan H. Peele (1979) Actor, Comedian, Director, Screenwriter

Facts:

Malcolm X was assassinated (1965) Also known as Itaja Malik el-Shabazz Muslim Leader and Human Rights Activist.

Eva Jessye died (1992) First African American woman to receive an International distinction as a Professional Choral Conductor.

Dwayne McDuffle died (2011) Comic book and TV writer, animated series producer.

( https://blackamericaweb.com/playlist/february-21-this-day-in-black-history/item/103231/; http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/malcolm-x-assassinated; http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/04/arts/eva-jessye-97-dies-choral-group-director.html )

February 22nd

Birthdates:

Horace Pippin (1888-1946) Painter; Ernest “Ernie K-Doe” Kador, Jr. (1933-2001) R&B Singer; Bobby Hendricks (1938) R&B Singer; Tucker Smallwood (1944) Actor/Author/ Vocalist; Ramon P. Rondo (1986) Pro Basketball Player- NBA

Facts:

Wilt Chamberlain set the first NBA record with 34 total free throws thrown i one game (1962)

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince won the first Rap Grammy Award (1989)

Johnnie Carr died (2008) Civil Rights Activist and President of Montgomery Improvement Association.

( https://blackamericaweb.com/playlist/february-22-this-day-in-black-history/item/594985/; https://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1962/february_22_1962_125026.html; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/first-rap-grammy-award-given; http://www.biography.com/people/johnnie-carr-21400027)

February 23rd 

Birthdates:

William “W.E.B.”DuBois (1868-1963) Sociologist, Historian, Civil Rights Activist, Pan-Africanist, Author, Editor; Louis Stokes (1925-2015) Attorney, Politician; Nick R. Gabaldon (1927-1951) First Documented African-Latino Surfer; Elston Howard (1929-1980) Pro Baseball Player- MLB; Carol “Niecy” Nash (1970) Comedian, Model, Actress, Producer

Facts:

The Mexican Army attacks on Alamo (1836) Fought against Federalism, Slavery and Immigration rights.

Lt General Frank E. Paterson was promoted and became the first African American to rank as Brigadier General in he US Marine Corps.

The National Black Deaf Advocates was established (1982)

( http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html; http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=howarel01; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/first-black-general-promotion-marine-corps; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/alamo-why-did-it-happen; http://history.house.gov/People/Detail?id=22311 )

February 24th

Birthdates:

Daniel A. Payne (1811-1893) Bishop, President of Wilberforce University, Abolitionist, Educator and Historian; Rev. William H. Borders (1905-1993) Civil Rights Activist, Leader, Pastor; Lillie Brown (1931-2001) Civil Rights Activist; Haile T. Debas (1937) Physician, Academic Administrator at University of California; Jimmy Ellis (1940-2014) Pro Boxer

Facts:

The origin of Soul Food was explained (1492)

Rebecca L. Crumpler graduated as the first African American woman to attain a Medical Degree (1864)

The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (N.A.B.C..) (1974)

( http://www.blackpast.org/aah/payne-daniel-alexander-1811-1893; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/first-black-woman-doctor-graduates; http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/william-holmes-borders-1905-1993; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/lillie-brown-civil-rights-activist; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/nabcj-advocate-justice; http://www.blackpast.org/aah/debas-haile-t-1937; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/soul-food-brief-history )

February 25th 

Birthdates:

Alexander G. Clark (1826-1891) Barber, Entrepreneur, Orator, Lawyer, Editor, Civil Rights Advocate; William L. Hansberry (1894-1965) Scholar, Lecturer; Ida Cox (1896-1967) Singer, Vaudeville Performer; A (loysius) Leon Higginbotham, Jr. (1928-1998) Federal Judge, Scholar, Civil Rights Advocate; Donald O. Quarrie (1951) Former Jamaican Track and Field

Facts:

Senator-Elect Hiram Revels became first African American (1870)

Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) defeats Sonny Liston or the Heavyweight Title (1964)

Constance Baker Motley was sworn in as Manhattan Borough President (1965) The highest elective office held by an African American woman at the time.

( https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/First_African_American_Senator.htm; http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009633855/; http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cassius-clay-defeats-sonny-liston; http://uipress.lib.uiowa.edu/bdi/DetailsPage.aspx?id=62; http://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/hansberry-william-leo-1894-1965; http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ida-cox-mn0000769371/biography; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/l-higgingbotham-judge-educator-and-activist

February 26th 

Birthdates:

James S. Smith (1825-1892) Sixth President of Liberia; Alexander P. Tureaud (1899-1972) Attorney; Antoine “Fats” Domino, Jr. (1928) Pianist, Singer/Songwriter; Godfrey M. Cambridge (1933-1976) Stand Up Comic, Actor; William “Bill” Duke, Jr. (1943) Actor, Director

Facts:

Wyatt Outlaw was captured from his home and lynched by Ku Klux Klansmen (KKK) (1870)

Jimmie L. Jackson, a Civil Rights Activist, died after being shot and beaten by Alabama State Trooper during a peaceful voting rights march (1965)

Andrew Brimmer was the first African American Governor of the Federal Reserve Board (1966)

( http://freedomcenter.org/voice/death-sparked-selma-montgomery-marches-1965; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/first-black-governor-federal-reserve-appointed; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0131387/bio; http://www.biography.com/people/fats-domino-9276748#synopsis; http://www.thetimesnews.com/article/20150816/NEWS/150819177; http://www.creolegen.org/2013/07/06/a-man-for-all-seasons-a-p-tureaud/

February 27th

Birthdates:

Mabel K. Staupers (1890-1989) Leading African American Woman in Health-Care Profession;  Marian Anderson (1897-1993) American Contralto Singer; Hilton L. Smith (1907-1983) Negro League Pitcher; Dexter Gordon (1923-1990) Jazz Tenor Saxophonist; Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas (1971) Dancer, Singer/Songwriter, Actress, TV Personality

Facts:

The Black Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was organized (1853)

Wharlest Jackson, Natchz NAACP Treasurer, was murdered (1967)

Debi Thomas was the first African American to win a Bronze Medal in the Winter Olympics (1988)

( http://nuweb9.neu.edu/civilrights/wharlest-jackson/; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/black-ymca-community-and-home; http://www.biography.com/people/marian-anderson-9184422; http://www.biography.com/people/dexter-gordon-37899 )

February 28th

Birthdates:

Ainsley Harriott (1957) Chef, TV Presenter, Entertainer; Tasha Smith (1971) Actress, Comedian, Model, Producer;  Torrei Hart (1978) Actress, Producer, TV Personality; Milan Christopher (1984) Rapper, Actor, Model; Albertin “Aroldis” Chapman de la Cruz (1988) Pro Baseball Pitcher- MLB

Facts:

The first recorded slave revolt occurred (1708)

Exodus of 1879 began with more than 900 African American families fleeing from Mississippi (1879)

The Detroit Rebellion Occurred (1943)

( http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/beginning-exodus-1879; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/slave-revolt-long-island-ny; http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/detroit-unrest-sad-reality-1940s; http://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/ainsley-harriott.html; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810103/; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5393346/ )