Category Archives: articles

Richard Pryor Richard Pryor, an African American actor, director, screenwriter, and stand-up comic, was born on this date in 1940. Born into a poor family in Peoria, Illinois, Pryor grew up in a lower class brothel, dropped out of high school at the age of 14, and later served in the United States Army forContinue reading “Black History Highlights”

Harry T. Burleigh Harry T. Burleigh was born on this date in 1866. He was an African American gospel singer and composer. From Erie Pennsylvania, Harry Thacker Burleigh was the grandson of slaves. It was his grandfather that passed on to him the tradition of plantation songs. Burleigh had little formal music training in hisContinue reading “Black History Highlights”

Ernie Davis Ernie Davis was born on this date in 1939 in New Salem, Pennsylvania. He was an African American college football player and the first Black man to win the Heisman Trophy. Davis spent part of his boyhood years in Uniontown, PA, where he lived with his grandparents until relocating to Elmira to permanentlyContinue reading “Black History Highlights”

John Singleton Screenwriter and director John Daniel Singleton was born on January 6, 1968, in Los Angeles, California. In 1991, Columbia Pictures bought his script for Boyz n the Hood and budgeted it at $7 million. The film portrayed life in crime-ridden South Central L.A. and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best DirectorContinue reading “Black History Highlights”

Lewis A. Jackson In 1912, Lewis A. Jackson was born. He was a Black aviator, innovator, educator, and administrator. He was born in Angola, IN, and while in grade school, he made model airplanes and read about crosswind landings in encyclopedias. At 15, he had his first ride in an OX5 Swallow. Two years later,Continue reading “Black History Highlights”