Jamaica Kincaid Releases First Children’s Book In Four Decades, Promoting Gardening For Black Children
Jamaica Kincaid is a world-renowned writer, a Harvard professor, and an avid gardener who’s passing on her plant expertise to Black youth in her new children’s book, An Encyclopedia of Gardening For Colored Children, the first children’s book Kincaid has published in almost 40 years. The Antiguan-American author is known for her classic works such […]
Tahra Grant Named Chief Comms Officer at Sony Pictures, First Black Woman to Hold Title at Major Hollywood Studio
She’s blazing a trail in corporate communications! Tahra Grant, Sony’s SVP of Corporate Communications for the Motion Picture Group, has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). This significant elevation places Grant in a top corporate communications role, succeeding Robert Lawson and reporting directly to SPE Chairman […]
Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi Becomes First Black Woman to Earn Doctorate Degree in Robotics at University of Michigan
She’s a pioneer in the field! Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi has etched her name in history, standing as the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Robotics from the prestigious University of Michigan, Afrotech reports. This is not just a personal triumph but a significant stride for diversity and representation in the STEM fields. During the […]
Boston Preschool Launches First Creole-Haitian Dual Language Program
Mattahunt Elementary School, a Pre-K through fifth grade school located in Boston, Mass., just launched the first Haitian Creole dual-language preschool program in the country, NBC News reports. The Toussaint L’Ouverture Dual Language Academy, the new program at Mattahunt Elementary named after the leader of the Haitian Revolution, is a preschool program that aims to […]
Ronald Yancey, First Black Graduate of Georgia Tech, Presents Granddaughter With Masters Degree 60 Years After His Historic Commencement
In 1965, Ronald Yancey made history as the first Black student to graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology (also known as Georgia Tech). Almost 60 years later, he’s passing his academic legacy on to his granddaughter. During the 2024 spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 3, Yancey was present on stage as a new […]
Dr. Opal Lee, ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ Honored With Presidential Medal of Freedom
The activist, social worker, and educator made national headlines for her decades-long advocacy to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. On Friday, May 3, President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Opal Lee, also known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, for her efforts in establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. Dr. Lee was […]
Artist William H. Johnson’s ‘Fighters for Freedom’ Collection on Display for the First Time in 75 Years
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) is currently showcasing William H. Johnson’s “Fighters for Freedom” Collection, a series of portraits and vignettes painted in the 1940s as a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers, and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. For the first time since 1946, […]
New Photography Book Honors the Black Family Haircare Tradition of ‘Wash Day’
Representation matters–even in the little things. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Then… Detangle. Deep condition. Hot oil treatment. Rinse again. Detangle again. Leave-in. Twist. Dry. Maybe hot comb or flat iron. And detangle one more time for good measure. If you’re a Black woman with natural hair, you’re familiar with this routine: It’s wash day! The day […]
Edward Dudley, First Black U.S. Ambassador, Set To Be Honored with Historical Marker in Hometown
He is Virginia’s own! Edward Richard Dudley accomplished many historical “firsts” during his lifetime: he was the first African American to run for office in New York on the ticket of a major party, the first Black person to serve as an administrative judge in New York State, and the first African American United States […]
Viola Davis To Receive Honorary Doctorate from University of Rhode Island
Academy Award-winning actor Viola Davis will be honored for her contributions to her profession and to her community! Davis is a multi-award-winning actress, one of only four Black actors to achieve EGOT status, winning all four competitive American performing arts awards. She is also a bestselling author and celebrated philanthropist, dedicated to inspiring and giving […]