black history

The True Story Of Madam C.J. Walker, One Of America’s First Black Female Millionaires

An African American entrepreneur, activist, and philanthropist, Madam C.J. Walker made a fortune in the early 20th century thanks to her hair care line for Black women.

By Katie Serena • Aug 14, 2022

The True Story Of Madam C.J. Walker, One Of America’s First Black Female Millionaires

An African American entrepreneur, activist, and philanthropist, Madam C.J. Walker made a fortune in the early 20th century thanks to her hair care line for Black women.

By Katie Serena • August 14, 2022

Inside The Enigmatic Story Of Yasuke, The Black Samurai Of 16th-Century Japan

The first African man to become a samurai, Yasuke certainly made a mark on feudal Japan — though much about his life remains a mystery.

By Gina Dimuro • Jul 26, 2022

Inside The Enigmatic Story Of Yasuke, The Black Samurai Of 16th-Century Japan

The first African man to become a samurai, Yasuke certainly made a mark on feudal Japan — though much about his life remains a mystery.

By Gina Dimuro • July 26, 2022

Byron De La Beckwith, The Klansman Who Nearly Got Away With Killing Civil Rights Leader Medgar Evers

Despite being tried by two juries, Byron De La Beckwith was not convicted of murdering Medgar Evers in his own driveway in 1963 — until 30 years after the crime.

By Jessica O'Connor • Jul 26, 2022

Byron De La Beckwith, The Klansman Who Nearly Got Away With Killing Civil Rights Leader Medgar Evers

Despite being tried by two juries, Byron De La Beckwith was not convicted of murdering Medgar Evers in his own driveway in 1963 — until 30 years after the crime.

By Jessica O'Connor • July 26, 2022

The True Story Of Sundiata Keita, The ‘Lion King’ Who Founded The Mali Empire

Legend says Sundiata Keita was such a sickly child that he was spared by his father's enemies when they killed all of his brothers. He later took revenge for the murders — by launching one of the most powerful empires in African history.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jul 20, 2022

The True Story Of Sundiata Keita, The ‘Lion King’ Who Founded The Mali Empire

Legend says Sundiata Keita was such a sickly child that he was spared by his father's enemies when they killed all of his brothers. He later took revenge for the murders — by launching one of the most powerful empires in African history.

By Marco Margaritoff • July 20, 2022

Meet Elijah McCoy, The Pioneering Black Engineer Whose Inventions Inspired The Phrase ‘The Real McCoy’

In 1872, Elijah McCoy created a tiny device that automatically lubricated steam engines while they were running — and revolutionized the railroad industry in the process.

By Genevieve Carlton • Jul 18, 2022

Meet Elijah McCoy, The Pioneering Black Engineer Whose Inventions Inspired The Phrase ‘The Real McCoy’

In 1872, Elijah McCoy created a tiny device that automatically lubricated steam engines while they were running — and revolutionized the railroad industry in the process.

By Genevieve Carlton • July 18, 2022

Meet Ida B. Wells-Barnett, The Fearless Black Activist Who Exposed Racism And Fought For Women’s Suffrage

Despite being born into slavery and orphaned at 16, Ida B. Wells became a renowned journalist, an anti-lynching advocate, and a founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

By Abby Norman • Jul 6, 2022

Meet Ida B. Wells-Barnett, The Fearless Black Activist Who Exposed Racism And Fought For Women’s Suffrage

Despite being born into slavery and orphaned at 16, Ida B. Wells became a renowned journalist, an anti-lynching advocate, and a founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

By Abby Norman • July 6, 2022

The Story Of The ‘Buffalo Soldiers,’ The First All-Black Peacetime Regiments In U.S. History

From fighting poachers and outlaws to doing battle with Native American tribes, the Buffalo Soldiers of the Western frontier left behind a complex legacy.

By Natasha Ishak • Jul 4, 2022

The Story Of The ‘Buffalo Soldiers,’ The First All-Black Peacetime Regiments In U.S. History

From fighting poachers and outlaws to doing battle with Native American tribes, the Buffalo Soldiers of the Western frontier left behind a complex legacy.

By Natasha Ishak • July 4, 2022

Meet Ma Rainey, The ‘Mother Of The Blues’ Who Fought For Her Voice In Jim Crow America

Battling racism, sexism, and homophobia in Jim Crow America, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey emerged as one of the most popular singers of the 1920s.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Jul 1, 2022

Meet Ma Rainey, The ‘Mother Of The Blues’ Who Fought For Her Voice In Jim Crow America

Battling racism, sexism, and homophobia in Jim Crow America, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey emerged as one of the most popular singers of the 1920s.

By Jaclyn Anglis • July 1, 2022

9 Black Heroes Of The Wild West — And The Incredible True Stories Behind Them

From the gunslinging postwoman of Montana to the deputy marshal who patrolled the Plains, discover the seldom-taught stories of these icons of the American frontier.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 29, 2022

9 Black Heroes Of The Wild West — And The Incredible True Stories Behind Them

From the gunslinging postwoman of Montana to the deputy marshal who patrolled the Plains, discover the seldom-taught stories of these icons of the American frontier.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 29, 2022

Inside The Tragic Murder Of Ennis Cosby, Bill Cosby’s Son Who Was Killed In Cold Blood

On January 16, 1997, Ennis Cosby pulled his car over to the side of a Los Angeles interstate to change a tire and was brutally gunned down by Mikhail Markhasev during a failed robbery.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 24, 2022

Inside The Tragic Murder Of Ennis Cosby, Bill Cosby’s Son Who Was Killed In Cold Blood

On January 16, 1997, Ennis Cosby pulled his car over to the side of a Los Angeles interstate to change a tire and was brutally gunned down by Mikhail Markhasev during a failed robbery.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 24, 2022