Mormon Church Elevates First African American to Highest Level of Church Leadership
The Mormon church has elevated an African American to its highest level of leadership in the church. Elder Peter Johnson was named a General Authority Seventy during the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints’ 2019 general conference. The appointment comes almost 40 years after individuals from African descent weren’t allowed in the priesthood (we’re […]
Her Refusal to do a Project on Amelia Earhart Led to a Meeting with Bessie Coleman’s Niece
When Noa was four-years-old she was introduced to Bessie Coleman while watching an episode of Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins. Ever since then, she has sought out opportunities to learn more about the first woman of African American descent to hold a pilots license. Currently in the 2nd grade, when Noa’s teacher assigned her Amelia Earhart for her school’s […]
South African Model Blazes Trail as First Person With Albinism to Cover Vogue
When South African model and lawyer, Thando Hopa, told a close friend that it would be great to see a woman with albinism on the cover of Vogue, she never thought she would be the one to make it happen. With the release of the April issue of Vogue Portugal, she did just that. In […]
She Created a “For Us, By Us” Healthcare Platform for People of Color
Currently, in the United States, African-Americans and Latinos experience 30 to 40% poorer health outcomes than their white counterparts. That’s according to research on Hued, a healthcare technology platform that was created by entrepreneur Kimberly Wilson. Referred to as the “for us, by us” version of ZocDoc, Wilson explains that Hued is a startup that […]
A Play About Maya Angelou is Coming to Broadway
The life of phenomenal woman Maya Angelou is coming to Broadway. The solo show “Phenomenal Woman: An evening with Maya Angelou” is being developed with the approval and help of her son, Guy Johnson. “She brought a sense of passion to living and invested herself wholly in it. What she wanted most was justice for […]
Self Appreciation Sunday by April Reign is the Best Thing on the Internet
When was the last time you took a moment to appreciate yourself? April Reign, creator of the effective #OscarsSoWhite movement took to Twitter this morning to challenge her followers to take a moment to appreciate themselves. “If you’re like me, you’re quick to give a compliment, but you don’t do as well with receiving them. […]
Wilton Gregory Becomes First African American Archbishop of Washington
Pope Francis has named Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta as the Archbishop of Washington, DC, making him the first African American to lead the archdiocese. The appointment makes Gregory the seventh archbishop of Washington. The last five were made cardinals. If this same holds true for Gregory, he could make history as the first African American […]
Jerry Stackhouse Becomes 1st Black Coach for Men’s Basketball at Vanderbilt
18-year NBA veteran and Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach, Jerry Stackhouse, just became the first Black men’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt University. “I am extremely excited to join the Vanderbilt family and build on the incredible accomplishments of its athletics program and men’s basketball program,” Stackhouse said in a statement released on the university’s website. This will be his […]
Identical Twins With 4.5 and 4.4 GPA Named HS Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Twin brothers, Deontae and Deontrae Wright, are a double dose of Black excellence. With a 4.5 GPA, Deontae has been named Scott High School’s class of 2019 Valedictorian. His brother Deontrae is less than one step behind him as the class’ Salutatorian with a 4.4 GPA. What’s their secret? They told WTVG that they challenge […]
Elon University Presents Honorary Doctorate to its 1st African American Student
When Elon’s first African-American student, Glenda Phillips Hightower, arrived on campus in 1963, she wasn’t allowed to live on campus. 56 years later, in recognition of the trail she blazed for future Black students and the treatment she should have received, the university has awarder her with an honorary doctorate. The Times News reports the presentation took place […]