black history

The Tragic History Of The Brown Paper Bag Test, The Discriminatory Practice Used To Exclude Dark-Skinned Black People

In 20th-century America, the brown paper bag test was used to deny some Black people access to positions of privilege if their skin tone was darker than a paper bag.

By Genevieve Carlton • Apr 4, 2022

The Tragic History Of The Brown Paper Bag Test, The Discriminatory Practice Used To Exclude Dark-Skinned Black People

In 20th-century America, the brown paper bag test was used to deny some Black people access to positions of privilege if their skin tone was darker than a paper bag.

By Genevieve Carlton • April 4, 2022

How Did Marvin Gaye Die? Inside The Motown Legend’s Murder

After inflicting decades of torment and abuse, Marvin Gay Sr. shot his son Marvin Gaye at point-blank range inside the family's Los Angeles home on April 1, 1984.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 27, 2022

How Did Marvin Gaye Die? Inside The Motown Legend’s Murder

After inflicting decades of torment and abuse, Marvin Gay Sr. shot his son Marvin Gaye at point-blank range inside the family's Los Angeles home on April 1, 1984.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 27, 2022

The True Story Of Carolyn Bryant Donham, Emmett Till’s Accuser

In August 1955, Carolyn Bryant claimed that 14-year-old Emmett Till sexually harassed her — which led to his horrific lynching days later. But more than 60 years later, she finally admitted that her accusation was a lie.

By Natasha Ishak • Mar 13, 2022

The True Story Of Carolyn Bryant Donham, Emmett Till’s Accuser

In August 1955, Carolyn Bryant claimed that 14-year-old Emmett Till sexually harassed her — which led to his horrific lynching days later. But more than 60 years later, she finally admitted that her accusation was a lie.

By Natasha Ishak • March 13, 2022

How Did Whitney Houston Die? Inside The Iconic Singer’s Tragic Final Days

One of America's most successful singers, Whitney Houston died from a drug-related drowning in her hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills on February 11, 2012.

By Marco Margaritoff • Feb 27, 2022

How Did Whitney Houston Die? Inside The Iconic Singer’s Tragic Final Days

One of America's most successful singers, Whitney Houston died from a drug-related drowning in her hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills on February 11, 2012.

By Marco Margaritoff • February 27, 2022

Meet Nellie Jackson, The ‘Mississippi Madam’ Who Ran A Brothel In Plain Sight For 60 Years

From 1930 until her death in 1990, Nellie Jackson operated a bordello in Natchez, Mississippi and became a pillar of the community, even helping the FBI fight the Ku Klux Klan.

By Jessica O'Connor • Feb 25, 2022

Meet Nellie Jackson, The ‘Mississippi Madam’ Who Ran A Brothel In Plain Sight For 60 Years

From 1930 until her death in 1990, Nellie Jackson operated a bordello in Natchez, Mississippi and became a pillar of the community, even helping the FBI fight the Ku Klux Klan.

By Jessica O'Connor • February 25, 2022

Meet William Harvey Carney, The Fearless Civil War Soldier Who Never Let The American Flag Fall In Battle

As one of the first Black men to receive the Medal of Honor, William Harvey Carney made history for his valor in the 1863 battle at Fort Wagner.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 22, 2022

Meet William Harvey Carney, The Fearless Civil War Soldier Who Never Let The American Flag Fall In Battle

As one of the first Black men to receive the Medal of Honor, William Harvey Carney made history for his valor in the 1863 battle at Fort Wagner.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 22, 2022

The True Story Of Nat Love, The Legendary Black Cowboy Featured In ‘The Harder They Fall’

Born into slavery in 1854, Nat Love moved to Dodge City at age 15 and became known throughout the Old West as one of the most skilled and daring cowboys to ever live.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 17, 2022

The True Story Of Nat Love, The Legendary Black Cowboy Featured In ‘The Harder They Fall’

Born into slavery in 1854, Nat Love moved to Dodge City at age 15 and became known throughout the Old West as one of the most skilled and daring cowboys to ever live.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 17, 2022

Meet Rachel Knight, The Enslaved Woman Who Helped Found The Free State Of Jones

During the Civil War, Rachel Knight joined forces with a white Southern Unionist named Newton Knight — and helped him wage a guerrilla campaign against Confederates in Mississippi.

By Jessica O'Connor • Feb 15, 2022

Meet Rachel Knight, The Enslaved Woman Who Helped Found The Free State Of Jones

During the Civil War, Rachel Knight joined forces with a white Southern Unionist named Newton Knight — and helped him wage a guerrilla campaign against Confederates in Mississippi.

By Jessica O'Connor • February 15, 2022

The Story Of C.P. Ellis, The KKK Leader Whose 1971 Meeting With A Black Activist Changed His Life

When C.P. Ellis was tasked with working with Ann Atwater to desegregate Durham, North Carolina schools, he was an "Exalted Cyclops" of the KKK. Ten days later, he was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 14, 2022

The Story Of C.P. Ellis, The KKK Leader Whose 1971 Meeting With A Black Activist Changed His Life

When C.P. Ellis was tasked with working with Ann Atwater to desegregate Durham, North Carolina schools, he was an "Exalted Cyclops" of the KKK. Ten days later, he was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 14, 2022

The Little-Known Story Of William Dorsey Swann, America’s First Drag Queen

A former slave, William Dorsey Swann hosted some of America's first drag balls in Washington D.C. in the late 1800s — and fought for queer rights long before Stonewall.

By Marco Margaritoff • Feb 9, 2022

The Little-Known Story Of William Dorsey Swann, America’s First Drag Queen

A former slave, William Dorsey Swann hosted some of America's first drag balls in Washington D.C. in the late 1800s — and fought for queer rights long before Stonewall.

By Marco Margaritoff • February 9, 2022