black history

How 15-Year-Old Latasha Harlins’ Murder Helped Spark The L.A. Riots

On March 16, 1991, Latasha Harlins went to a grocery store to buy a bottle of orange juice — but the store's owner Soon Ja Du assumed she was stealing it and shot her in the back of the head.

By Hannah McKennett • Feb 24, 2024

How 15-Year-Old Latasha Harlins’ Murder Helped Spark The L.A. Riots

On March 16, 1991, Latasha Harlins went to a grocery store to buy a bottle of orange juice — but the store's owner Soon Ja Du assumed she was stealing it and shot her in the back of the head.

By Hannah McKennett • February 24, 2024

The Heartbreaking Death Of Otis Redding, The ‘Crown Prince Of Soul’ Who Perished In A Plane Crash

Just days after recording "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," 26-year-old Otis Redding and four members of his band died when their plane crashed in Wisconsin.

By Cara Johnson • Jan 22, 2024

The Heartbreaking Death Of Otis Redding, The ‘Crown Prince Of Soul’ Who Perished In A Plane Crash

Just days after recording "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," 26-year-old Otis Redding and four members of his band died when their plane crashed in Wisconsin.

By Cara Johnson • January 22, 2024

Meet Bass Reeves, The Trailblazing Black Deputy Who Patrolled The Wild West

From escaping slavery as a young man to arresting 3,000 outlaws as a deputy, the story of Bass Reeves is the stuff of legend.

By Briana Jones • Jan 7, 2024

Meet Bass Reeves, The Trailblazing Black Deputy Who Patrolled The Wild West

From escaping slavery as a young man to arresting 3,000 outlaws as a deputy, the story of Bass Reeves is the stuff of legend.

By Briana Jones • January 7, 2024

How Did James Brown Die? Inside The Mysterious Death Of The ‘Godfather Of Soul’

Though James Brown's cause of death on Christmas Day 2006 was listed as heart failure due to pneumonia, some believe he was actually murdered.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 4, 2024

How Did James Brown Die? Inside The Mysterious Death Of The ‘Godfather Of Soul’

Though James Brown's cause of death on Christmas Day 2006 was listed as heart failure due to pneumonia, some believe he was actually murdered.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 4, 2024

How Literacy Tests Were Used To Stop Black Americans From Voting

Presented as a means for assessing whether voters were educated enough to vote, literacy tests and other methods were designed for a single purpose: to stop Black Americans from voting.

By Katie Serena • Dec 22, 2023

How Literacy Tests Were Used To Stop Black Americans From Voting

Presented as a means for assessing whether voters were educated enough to vote, literacy tests and other methods were designed for a single purpose: to stop Black Americans from voting.

By Katie Serena • December 22, 2023

How Racism Turned Chicago’s Cabrini-Green Homes From A Beacon Of Progress To A Run-Down Slum

Cabrini-Green was an example of what a public housing project could be, but became so neglected that it was used as the setting for the horror movie Candyman.

By Morgan Dunn • Nov 12, 2023

How Racism Turned Chicago’s Cabrini-Green Homes From A Beacon Of Progress To A Run-Down Slum

Cabrini-Green was an example of what a public housing project could be, but became so neglected that it was used as the setting for the horror movie Candyman.

By Morgan Dunn • November 12, 2023

The True Story Of Lewis Latimer, The Inventor Who Made Electric Lights Possible

He played a pivotal role in the invention of the modern lightbulb and telephone, and he was the only Black member of Thomas Edison's elite research team. But who was Lewis Latimer?

By Genevieve Carlton • Nov 6, 2023

The True Story Of Lewis Latimer, The Inventor Who Made Electric Lights Possible

He played a pivotal role in the invention of the modern lightbulb and telephone, and he was the only Black member of Thomas Edison's elite research team. But who was Lewis Latimer?

By Genevieve Carlton • November 6, 2023

The Crimes Of Matias Reyes — The Career Criminal Whose Confession Exonerated The Central Park Five

Inside Central Park on April 19, 1989, Matias Reyes beat and raped a jogger named Trisha Meili. A year later, five innocent teenagers would be found guilty of his crimes.

By Marco Margaritoff • Aug 27, 2023

The Crimes Of Matias Reyes — The Career Criminal Whose Confession Exonerated The Central Park Five

Inside Central Park on April 19, 1989, Matias Reyes beat and raped a jogger named Trisha Meili. A year later, five innocent teenagers would be found guilty of his crimes.

By Marco Margaritoff • August 27, 2023

The Life And Death Of David Barksdale, The Founder Of Chicago’s Black Disciples

Once a feared gang leader, “King David” Barksdale eventually pivoted to anti-violence activism and became an influential force in the American civil rights movement.

By Amber Morgan • Aug 22, 2023

The Life And Death Of David Barksdale, The Founder Of Chicago’s Black Disciples

Once a feared gang leader, “King David” Barksdale eventually pivoted to anti-violence activism and became an influential force in the American civil rights movement.

By Amber Morgan • August 22, 2023

The Horrific Murder Of Mary Turner, The Black Woman Who Was Lynched When She Was Eight Months Pregnant

On May 19, 1918, a white mob killed Mary Turner and her unborn baby in Brooks County, Georgia because she'd threatened to take legal action after the lynching of her husband.

By Kaleena Fraga • Aug 2, 2023

The Horrific Murder Of Mary Turner, The Black Woman Who Was Lynched When She Was Eight Months Pregnant

On May 19, 1918, a white mob killed Mary Turner and her unborn baby in Brooks County, Georgia because she'd threatened to take legal action after the lynching of her husband.

By Kaleena Fraga • August 2, 2023