black history

Meet Lonnie Johnson, The NASA Engineer Who Overcame Segregation To Invent The Super Soaker

Lonnie Johnson was born in Alabama in 1949. The odds seemed stacked against him, but the young genius worked his way to NASA and later, to multi-millions.

By Leah Silverman • Jan 1, 2022

Meet Lonnie Johnson, The NASA Engineer Who Overcame Segregation To Invent The Super Soaker

Lonnie Johnson was born in Alabama in 1949. The odds seemed stacked against him, but the young genius worked his way to NASA and later, to multi-millions.

By Leah Silverman • January 1, 2022

The Story Of The 1919 Elaine Race Massacre That You Didn’t Learn In School

In 1919, Black sharecroppers in Arkansas tried to organize for better wages — until a white mob and U.S. troops murdered hundreds of them.

By Genevieve Carlton • Dec 30, 2021

The Story Of The 1919 Elaine Race Massacre That You Didn’t Learn In School

In 1919, Black sharecroppers in Arkansas tried to organize for better wages — until a white mob and U.S. troops murdered hundreds of them.

By Genevieve Carlton • December 30, 2021

Inside ‘Soul Train’ And Its Stunning Impact On American Culture In 29 Images

For 35 years, Don Cornelius and Soul Train brought Black music, dancing, fashion, and culture into living rooms across the country with the longest-running syndicated show in American television history.

By Marco Margaritoff • Dec 21, 2021

Inside ‘Soul Train’ And Its Stunning Impact On American Culture In 29 Images

For 35 years, Don Cornelius and Soul Train brought Black music, dancing, fashion, and culture into living rooms across the country with the longest-running syndicated show in American television history.

By Marco Margaritoff • December 21, 2021

How Henrietta Lacks And Her ‘Immortal’ Cells Changed History

After Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in 1951, doctors at Johns Hopkins cultured her cells for use in medical research — without her permission.

By Gina Dimuro • Dec 19, 2021

How Henrietta Lacks And Her ‘Immortal’ Cells Changed History

After Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in 1951, doctors at Johns Hopkins cultured her cells for use in medical research — without her permission.

By Gina Dimuro • December 19, 2021

The Incredible True Story Of Bessie Coleman, American History’s First Black Female Pilot

When no one in the United States would train her, Bessie Coleman enrolled in a prestigious flight school in France — and became a fearless stunt pilot known across the world.

By Kara Goldfarb • Dec 18, 2021

The Incredible True Story Of Bessie Coleman, American History’s First Black Female Pilot

When no one in the United States would train her, Bessie Coleman enrolled in a prestigious flight school in France — and became a fearless stunt pilot known across the world.

By Kara Goldfarb • December 18, 2021

The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show

Tap dancer Arthur Duncan was first introduced to national audiences by Betty White in 1954 before making history as the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show.

By Marco Margaritoff • Dec 9, 2021

The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show

Tap dancer Arthur Duncan was first introduced to national audiences by Betty White in 1954 before making history as the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show.

By Marco Margaritoff • December 9, 2021

The Story Of Cudjo Lewis, One Of America’s Last Slave Ship Survivors

Oluale Kossola, or Cudjo Lewis, was abducted by illegal slavers in 1860 and enslaved in Alabama, where he later began a self-contained African community once he was freed.

By Gabe Paoletti • Dec 8, 2021

The Story Of Cudjo Lewis, One Of America’s Last Slave Ship Survivors

Oluale Kossola, or Cudjo Lewis, was abducted by illegal slavers in 1860 and enslaved in Alabama, where he later began a self-contained African community once he was freed.

By Gabe Paoletti • December 8, 2021

Tulsa’s ‘Black Wall Street’ Thrived In The Early 1900s — Until A White Mob Burned It Down

The 1921 Tulsa Massacre left hundreds dead and caused over $1.5 million in damage while the city's famed "Black Wall Street" was destroyed — in just 24 hours.

By Katie Serena • Dec 5, 2021

Tulsa’s ‘Black Wall Street’ Thrived In The Early 1900s — Until A White Mob Burned It Down

The 1921 Tulsa Massacre left hundreds dead and caused over $1.5 million in damage while the city's famed "Black Wall Street" was destroyed — in just 24 hours.

By Katie Serena • December 5, 2021

The History Of Juneteenth, The Holiday That Celebrates The End Of Slavery

While Juneteenth began as a local celebration of Texas' last slaves being freed on June 19, 1865, it has since evolved into a worldwide celebration of freedom.

By Mark Oliver • Dec 3, 2021

The History Of Juneteenth, The Holiday That Celebrates The End Of Slavery

While Juneteenth began as a local celebration of Texas' last slaves being freed on June 19, 1865, it has since evolved into a worldwide celebration of freedom.

By Mark Oliver • December 3, 2021

How Ella Baker Became The Mother Of The Civil Rights Movement

From teaching Rosa Parks how to protest to organizing student activists, Ella Baker was one of America's most tireless civil rights leaders — all while operating largely behind the scenes.

By William DeLong • Dec 2, 2021

How Ella Baker Became The Mother Of The Civil Rights Movement

From teaching Rosa Parks how to protest to organizing student activists, Ella Baker was one of America's most tireless civil rights leaders — all while operating largely behind the scenes.

By William DeLong • December 2, 2021

The Meaning Behind ‘Strange Fruit,’ Billie Holiday’s Tragic Ballad

First made famous by Holiday in 1939, "Strange Fruit" protested the mass lynchings of Black people across the American South.

By Kaleena Fraga • Nov 28, 2021

The Meaning Behind ‘Strange Fruit,’ Billie Holiday’s Tragic Ballad

First made famous by Holiday in 1939, "Strange Fruit" protested the mass lynchings of Black people across the American South.

By Kaleena Fraga • November 28, 2021

The Little-Known History Behind Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech

When he took the podium to deliver the "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King wasn't even going to utter that immortal line — then fate interceded.

By Savannah Cox • Nov 26, 2021

The Little-Known History Behind Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech

When he took the podium to deliver the "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King wasn't even going to utter that immortal line — then fate interceded.

By Savannah Cox • November 26, 2021