Columbia College First Black Dean

These again are things that since they are not put in the front page of most newspapers we have to "find" these stories and share. Yesterday, Michelle Moody-Adams was named the first Dean of Columbia College. Dr. Moody-Adams, 52, a philosopher, has also run Cornell’s program on ethics and public life. Her 1997 book, “Fieldwork in Familiar Places: Morality, Culture and Philosophy,” was roundly praised in the field.

Dr. Moody-Adams, who received her master’s and doctoral degrees in philosophy from Harvard University, succeeds Austin E. Quigley, who will retire in June after serving as dean for 14 years.


Another great achievement in Black History.

Source: New York Times

Brief History of Juneteenth

It is the perception of many that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves with a stroke of his pen. Yet the Emancipation Proclamation, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 1863, did no such thing . (at least I don't think it didn't do a very good job of it). Two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers sailed into Galveston, Texas, announced the end of the Civil War, and read aloud a general order freeing the quarter-million slaves residing in the state. It's likely that none of them had any idea that they had actually been freed more than two years before. It was truly a day of mass emancipation. It has become known as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth celebrations began there in the years following General Gordon Granger's 1865 proclamation in Galveston and continued for decades. The tradition spread to bordering Southern states, such as Arkansas and Louisiana, as migrating African Americans went to areas beyond Texas.

It has even reached as far as California. San Francisco actually has one of the biggest Juneteenth celebrations for the last five-plus decades — and Minnesota, where Minneapolis boasts a large festival.

Texas state legislator Al Edwards in 1979 introduced a bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday; the first state-approved celebration took place the following year. He also is one of many who has been working to make it a national holiday. In years past, Senator Barack Obama has co-sponsored legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Black History Facts for February 26th

Wyatt Outlaw, leader of the Alamance County, NC, Union League, was killed by lynching on this date in 1870.

Theodore "Tiger" Flowers, defeated Harry Greb and became the first Black World Middleweight Boxing Champion on this date in 1926.

Antoine "Fats" Domino, famed singer, was born New Orleans, LA, on this date in 1928. "Ain't That a Shame" and "Blueberry Hill" are two of his best-known songs.

The Green Pastures opened at Mansfield Theater on this date in 1930. The play, written by Marc Connelly, starred Richard B. Harrison as "De Lawd" and ran 557 shows.

Jimmie Lee Jackson, civil rights activist, died of injuries inflicted by police officers in Marion, AL, on this date in 1965. Jackson was shot eight days earlier while defending his mother as their group was attacked while leaving a voting-rights meeting.

Tribute to some of those passed away in 2007

I wanted to pay tribute to some of our African American entertainers, sports figures, comedians, and others who gave us much joy through their talent. May they all Rest In Peace. Bless.

• Alice Coltrane-She was an American Jazz pianist, organist, harpist and the wife of John Coltrane.
• Billy Henderson-One of the original members of the Spinners
• Lamar Lundy Jr.-played defensive end for the former Los Angeles Rams of the NFL. He was part of the “Fearsome Foursome” of defensive players on the team, considered to be one of the best squads in football history
• Luther Ingram-best known for his R&B hit “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right.” The singer and songwriter also co–wrote the Staples Singers 1970s hit, “Respect Yourself.”
• Calvin Lockhart-appeared in 1970s films, including Let’s Do It Again, where he played the character whose nickname rapper Notorious B.I.G.often borrowed, “Biggie Smalls.” Lockhart also appeared on “Good Times” and later in Coming To America.
• James B. Davis- American gospel music singer and a founder of The Dixie Hummingbirds, one of the longest–lasting and most influential groups in gospel music.
• James "Jimmy" Walker-NBA player with the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and former Kansas City Kings
• Chauncey Wendell Bailey Jr-editor in chief of the five San Francisco Bay Area Post newspapers.
• Maxwell Lemuel "Max" Roach- He worked alongside many of the greatest jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.
• Kenneth “Big Moe” Moore-was a Houston rapper. He began his career on mix tapes and was later signed to Wreckshop Records
• Yolanda "LaLa" Brown-an R&B singer and protégé of Lyfe Jennings. She was best known for being featured on his single S.E.X.
• Donda West-the mother of rap superstar Kanye West and former chairwoman of the English Department at Chicago State University.
• Sean Michael Maurice Taylor-played safety for the Washington Redskins
• Ted Corbitt-Corbitt was a 1952 Olympic competitor.
• Chad “Pimp C” Butler-was a rapper who formed one–half of group UGK.
• St. Claire Cecil Bourne-known for his documentary filmmaking. Among his credits in various capacities of filmmaking is his participation in the acclaimed Muhammad Ali film “When We Were Kings.

Many of the names you may or may not know. Many didn't even make a dent in the front page, however all were important in contributing some how to American History.

For more of these greats please see , Those We Lost in 2007, by BET.COM