black history

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

Inside The Story Of Tupac’s 1993 Shootout With Off-Duty Police Officers — And How He Got Away With It

On Halloween 1993, Tupac Shakur tried to stop two white off-duty cops from harassing a Black driver in Atlanta. But when one of them pulled his gun, Tupac shot first in self defense.

By Marco Margaritoff • Feb 7, 2022

Inside The Story Of Tupac’s 1993 Shootout With Off-Duty Police Officers — And How He Got Away With It

On Halloween 1993, Tupac Shakur tried to stop two white off-duty cops from harassing a Black driver in Atlanta. But when one of them pulled his gun, Tupac shot first in self defense.

By Marco Margaritoff • February 7, 2022

33 Little-Known Facts About Black History That You Didn’t Learn In School

From forgotten war heroes to overlooked inventors, dive into some of the most fascinating stories from the annals of Black history.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 5, 2022

33 Little-Known Facts About Black History That You Didn’t Learn In School

From forgotten war heroes to overlooked inventors, dive into some of the most fascinating stories from the annals of Black history.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 5, 2022

Meet Bill Pickett, The Fearless Black Cowboy Who Invented The Sport Of Cattle Wrestling

In the late 1800s, Bill Pickett popularized an efficient — and perilous — way to subdue cattle by biting their upper lips. The daring stunt soon became one he performed all over the world.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 1, 2022

Meet Bill Pickett, The Fearless Black Cowboy Who Invented The Sport Of Cattle Wrestling

In the late 1800s, Bill Pickett popularized an efficient — and perilous — way to subdue cattle by biting their upper lips. The daring stunt soon became one he performed all over the world.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 1, 2022

How Activist Bobby Seale Of The Chicago 7 Helped Define The Antiwar Movement And The Fight For Civil Rights

A revolutionary hero of the 1960s, Bobby Seale cofounded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense and bravely stood with the Chicago 7 against the Vietnam War.

By Marco Margaritoff • Feb 1, 2022

How Activist Bobby Seale Of The Chicago 7 Helped Define The Antiwar Movement And The Fight For Civil Rights

A revolutionary hero of the 1960s, Bobby Seale cofounded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense and bravely stood with the Chicago 7 against the Vietnam War.

By Marco Margaritoff • February 1, 2022

Inside The Downfall Of Rich Porter, The Legendary Harlem Crack Dealer

Richard “Money Rich” Porter was pulling in $50,000 a week selling crack in New York City in the late 1980s — until he was murdered by his partner Alpo Martinez in 1990.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 14, 2022

Inside The Downfall Of Rich Porter, The Legendary Harlem Crack Dealer

Richard “Money Rich” Porter was pulling in $50,000 a week selling crack in New York City in the late 1980s — until he was murdered by his partner Alpo Martinez in 1990.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 14, 2022

How Stephanie St. Clair Became The ‘Numbers Queen’ Of Harlem

In the 1920s, Stephanie St. Clair built a gambling empire in Harlem — and left an unforgettable mark on New York City history.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • Jan 12, 2022

How Stephanie St. Clair Became The ‘Numbers Queen’ Of Harlem

In the 1920s, Stephanie St. Clair built a gambling empire in Harlem — and left an unforgettable mark on New York City history.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • January 12, 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 • 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