Trayvon Martin was 17-years-old when he was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. On the evening of February 26, 20012, Martin had travelled with his father to visit his father’s fiancee. Martin went out to purchase some items from a convenience store. On his way home, Zimmerman, a … Continue reading
Toni Morrison is an American novelist and professor best known for her novels The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved. In 1993, Morrison received the Nobel Prize for Literature. In this video, Morrison discusses how her life and experiences led her to write The Bluest Eye and what she … Continue reading
Satchel Paige was an American baseball pitcher who played in both the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball (MLB). On February 9, 1971, Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Negro leagues player to receive the honor. Paige was also the oldest rookie to … Continue reading
Alice Walker is a writer best known for her 1982 book The Color Purple, which was the recipient of the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The book was later adapted into a film of the same name by Steven Spielberg and went on to become a musical as well. In … Continue reading
The Orangeburg massacre took place on February 8, 1968, when a group of about 150 protestors from South Carolina State University had gathered to protest racial segregation at the local bowling alley. South Carolina Highway Patrol Officers responded to the scene and opened fire on protestors, killing three and wounding … Continue reading
The Apollo Theater on 125th street in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, is a famous venue that has launched the careers of many African-American performers. The Apollo Theater opened on January 26, 1934. The Apollo went on to host Showtime at the Apollo, which was a nationally … Continue reading
Zora Neale Hurston was an American author and folklorist, best known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Alvin Ailey was a choreographer and activist who is credited with popularizing modern dance. He founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, and his company, The Alvin Ailey Dance Company, toured extensively. His piece “Revelations” is considered to be the best known and most seen modern … Continue reading
Actress Carmen Ejogo plays Coretta Scott King in the 2014 movie “Selma”, which is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches. Ejogo had previously played Coretta Scott King in the HBO production “Boycott”, and in this video she discusses portraying Scott King at different points in her … Continue reading
On April 4, 1968, at the age of 39, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. In this video, his friend, advisor and draft speechwriter Dr. Clarence B. Jones recalls hearing the news of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death and speaks about his initial … Continue reading
