In America, women of color have done a lot to make their mark in history. But rarely is this taught, and when it is, the list usually starts at Harriet Tubman and stops at Rosa Parks. With respect to Mrs. Parks and Mrs. Tubman, it would be a travesty not to include one of the … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 15 – The First Lady of the Struggle
Black History Month: Day 14 – The Man Who Opened Our Hearts
Today in Travelbox History Corner, I wanted to honor a man notable for his "gifted hands." He is a pioneer as a surgeon, performing one of the most legendary surgeries in modern medical history. I am of course, talking about... Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. (Did you think I was talking about someone else?) Daniel Hale … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 14 – The Man Who Opened Our Hearts
Black History Month: Day 13 – The Real McCoy
Elijah J. McCoy was a Canadian-American inventor and engineer who was notable for his 57 U.S. patents, most having to do with the lubrication of steam engines. In 1872 he designed a “lubricating cup” that distributed oil evenly over an engine's moving parts. Though other inventors made an effort to sell their own models of … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 13 – The Real McCoy
Black History Month: Day 12 – Jesse Owens Goes to Germany and finds Brotherhood
Jesse Owens was a track and field athlete who became the first American in Olympic Track and Field history to win four gold medals in a single Olympiad at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This record was unrivaled until Carl Lewis matched Owens' feat nearly 50 years later at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 12 – Jesse Owens Goes to Germany and finds Brotherhood
Black History Month: Day 11 – The Immortal Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer who was diagnosed with cervical cancer and unknowingly became the progenitor of the HeLa cell line, one of the most important cell lines in medical research ever discovered. Her immortal cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and more. Henrietta … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 11 – The Immortal Henrietta Lacks
Black History Month: Day 10 – The Brutal Murder of Emmett Till
I thought about omitting this entry into the Travelbox History Corner, but recent events changed my mind. Though Emmett Till was not the first victim of racist terrorism in the American south, but his murder galvanized the Civil Rights Movement. While visiting family in Money, Mississippi, 14-year-old Emmett Till, an African American from Chicago, was … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 10 – The Brutal Murder of Emmett Till
Black History Month: Day 9 – Jack Johnson
Throughout history, it has proven obvious that men of considerable physical prowess and charisma would be celebrated. This is especially true in America, but with respect to men of color the caveat is that they would also become as hated as they were loved. This would hold true for athletes such as O.J. Simpson, Mike … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 9 – Jack Johnson
Black History Month: Day 8 – Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Keeping in line with yesterday's musical theme, today we'll be discussing one of the unsung pioneers of rock and roll. Most people associate the birth of rock and roll with artists like Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley. But much of history leaves out the woman known as "The Godmother of Rock and Roll" … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 8 – Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Black History Month: Day 7 – James “J-Dilla” Yancey
I got a bit caught up and behind on today's post. But I usually celebrate Dilla Day every year by making a playlist and listening to the genius of Mr. Yancey all day. Today was no exception. James Dewitt Yancey is better known by his stage names: Jay Dee and J Dilla. Dilla was one-third … Continue reading Black History Month: Day 7 – James “J-Dilla” Yancey
Black History Month: In honor of J-Dilla
Today I'll be honoring James Dewitt Yancey, who was born on this day in 1974. In preparation of that is my soundtrack for today, my own curated Dilla mix. Tune in later for more on an important figure in hip-hop music and Black History, J Dilla.
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