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First Black Photographers Portrait Of A Woman

The Smithsonian Just Acquired Rare 19th-Century Portraits By America’s First Black Photographers

Of the 166 daguerreotypes known to have been taken by James P. Ball, Glenalvin Goodridge, and Augustus Washington, 40 have just been acquired by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

By Marco Margaritoff Sep 1, 2021

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The Smithsonian Just Acquired Rare 19th-Century Portraits By America’s First Black Photographers

Of the 166 daguerreotypes known to have been taken by James P. Ball, Glenalvin Goodridge, and Augustus Washington, 40 have just been acquired by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

By Marco Margaritoff September 1, 2021

What Happened When A White Man “Became” Black In Mid-20th Century America

In an attempt to understand a non-white life in America, John Griffin dyed his skin "black" and set off to the South. His experience, recounted in Black Like Me was, as you might expect, painful.

By John Kuroski Aug 31, 2021

What Happened When A White Man “Became” Black In Mid-20th Century America

In an attempt to understand a non-white life in America, John Griffin dyed his skin "black" and set off to the South. His experience, recounted in Black Like Me was, as you might expect, painful.

By John Kuroski August 31, 2021

The Story Of Onesimus, The Enslaved Man Who Helped Save Boston From Smallpox

During the 1721 smallpox outbreak in Boston, a slave named Onesimus taught his master an early version of inoculation — and saved hundreds of people.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo Aug 30, 2021

The Story Of Onesimus, The Enslaved Man Who Helped Save Boston From Smallpox

During the 1721 smallpox outbreak in Boston, a slave named Onesimus taught his master an early version of inoculation — and saved hundreds of people.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo August 30, 2021

George And Willie Muse, The Black Brothers Who Were Kidnapped By The Circus And Billed As ‘Martians’

Born with a rare form of albinism in the Jim Crow South, George and Willie Muse were spotted by a showman and forced into a life of exploitation.

By Morgan Dunn Aug 25, 2021

George And Willie Muse, The Black Brothers Who Were Kidnapped By The Circus And Billed As ‘Martians’

Born with a rare form of albinism in the Jim Crow South, George and Willie Muse were spotted by a showman and forced into a life of exploitation.

By Morgan Dunn August 25, 2021

23 Stirring Maya Angelou Quotes That The World Needs Now More Than Ever

These twenty-three heartrending Maya Angelou quotes are the definition of words to live by.

By Briana Jones Aug 21, 2021

23 Stirring Maya Angelou Quotes That The World Needs Now More Than Ever

These twenty-three heartrending Maya Angelou quotes are the definition of words to live by.

By Briana Jones August 21, 2021

The Remarkable Story Of Ann Lowe, The Black Fashion Designer Who Created Jackie Kennedy’s Wedding Dress

The first African American fashion designer to open a store on Madison Avenue, Ann Lowe was known as "society's best-kept secret" in New York.

By Kaleena Fraga Aug 18, 2021

The Remarkable Story Of Ann Lowe, The Black Fashion Designer Who Created Jackie Kennedy’s Wedding Dress

The first African American fashion designer to open a store on Madison Avenue, Ann Lowe was known as "society's best-kept secret" in New York.

By Kaleena Fraga August 18, 2021

‘He Wasn’t A Typical Gangster’: Inside The Wild Life Of Harlem Godfather Bumpy Johnson

Known for being a fearsome crime boss, Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson ruled the Harlem neighborhood of New York City in the mid-20th century.

By Hannah McKennett Aug 14, 2021

‘He Wasn’t A Typical Gangster’: Inside The Wild Life Of Harlem Godfather Bumpy Johnson

Known for being a fearsome crime boss, Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson ruled the Harlem neighborhood of New York City in the mid-20th century.

By Hannah McKennett August 14, 2021

The Controversial Story Of Stepin Fetchit, Hollywood’s First Black Millionaire

A persona created by vaudevillian Lincoln Perry in the 1920s, Stepin Fetchit made Perry rich — but also angered many Black Americans due to his embracing of racial stereotypes.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo Aug 5, 2021

The Controversial Story Of Stepin Fetchit, Hollywood’s First Black Millionaire

A persona created by vaudevillian Lincoln Perry in the 1920s, Stepin Fetchit made Perry rich — but also angered many Black Americans due to his embracing of racial stereotypes.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo August 5, 2021