4 Things You Should Know About Jack Johnson, The First Black Heavyweight Boxing Champion
He laid the foundation for what was possible! Jack Johnson was born John Arthur Johnson in Galveston, Texas on March 31, 1878, Encyclopedia Britannica reports. The son of formerly enslaved people, Johnson fought through the racism of the Jim Crow South to be a renowned heavyweight boxing champion. He stood up in the face of injustice, literally fighting […]
5 Black Women Who Changed The Hair Industry Forever
Black hair magic! The world of Black hair is complex, and it is as much political as it is beautiful. The hair itself is an extension of our identity as Black people and not only do we invest heavily into it, but we also fiercely protect it. Black hair care is not only a billion-dollar […]
This Pediatrician Just Launched A Black-Owned Hair Kit For Her Patients With Textured Hair
This is how you take care of your patients! Meet the Black pediatrician who created a hair kit to help young patients with their textured hair. Dr. Nekaiya “Kay” Jacobs is a pediatric intensive care physician working at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Illinois. After noticing a pattern of patients not having the tools to care […]
Meet Elizabeth “Mum Bett” Freeman, The First Enslaved Woman To Win A Freedom Suit In Massachusetts
She laid the groundwork for the abolition of slavery in the state! Elizabeth Freeman was born “Mum Bett” in Claverack, Columbia County, New York, her birthdate believed to be somewhere in 1744, the National Women’s History Museum reports. Enslaved at birth, she grew up on the plantation of Pieter Hogeboom alongside her younger sister, Lizzie. […]
Kiyomi McMiller Is Now The First High School Basketball Player To Sign NIL Deal With Jordan Brand
Kiyomi McMiller is now the first high schooler to sign a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Michael Jordan’s Jordan Brand. The Maryland native is a 5-star point guard hailing from Silver Spring but currently playing for Life Center Academy in Burlington, NJ. McMiller was the #6 recruit in the class of 2024 and has been […]
Serena And Venus Williams Will Produce A Documentary On The 1971 Women’s World Cup
These tennis stars are telling the stories of women trailblazers! Venus and Serena Williams have had many hits on the tennis court and the big screen! The sisters put on their producer hats for the making of King Richard; now, they’ll be putting those hats back on to create a new documentary on the historic Women’s World […]
Meet Rebecca Lee Crumpler, The First Black Woman Physician
She was a pioneer in every sense of the word! Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler is credited as the first Black woman physician and while there are no surviving photos of the trailblazing doctor, her origin story is even more inspiring than her accomplishments. Born Rebecca Davis in Christiana, Delaware in 1831, Crumpler was the daughter […]
NAACP Image Awards Set to Honor Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade For Their Philanthropy
The Wades are being recognized for their humanitarian efforts! Retired NBA champion Dwyane Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union-Wade, will receive the President’s Award at the 54th NAACP Image Awards, Essence reports. For the past few years, the couple has been a great example of using your platform to create change for others. Union-Wade has donated to foundations […]
Meet Frank E. Petersen Jr., The First Black Marine Corps General
He made history 44 years ago today! Frank E. Petersen Jr. was born on March 2, 1932 in Topeka, Kansas, the U.S. Marine Corpsreports. According to BlackPast.org, he first joined the U.S. Navy in 1952, working as an electronics technician. Petersen later applied for the Naval Aviation Cadet Corps, completing his training and becoming a […]
Brittney Griner Is Returning To The WNBA After Signing A One-Year Contract With Phoenix Mercury
It’s official! You can expect to see Brittney Griner back on the court when the WNBA season begins in May, Essence reports. After 10 months of being detained in Russia, Griner was released in December 2022. Now she’s announcing her return to the basketball court with a one-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury. “I also […]