This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Eric Holder Becomes First African-American Attorney General

With the arrival of President Barack Obama in the White House in 2009, many were newly appointed to fill the top positions for the incoming President’s Cabinet. The Administration immediately made waves with the nomination of New York-native Eric Holder, a former judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. After being approved by a large margin by the Senate Judicary Committee, Holder officially took office on Feb. 2, 2009.  

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: Bob Johnson Becomes 1st African-American Billionaire

Holder has been especially vital in the war on terrorism and is a known advocate of civil rights, especially protecting the sanctity of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Holder’s office also played a huge role in combating voter disfranchisement with the purposefully confusing Voter ID laws that nearly derailed the electoral process last year. The Attorney General’s time in office has been marked by both triumph and mild controversies, such as the botched “Fast And Furious” operation in Mexico that he was cleared of.

Watch Holder get confirmed as Attorney General here:

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: Disney Introduces 1st African-American Princess

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Bob Johnson Becomes First  African-American Billionaire

Bob Johnson, founder and former chairman and executive chief officer of Black Entertainment Television (BET), is noted as the first African-American billionaire. Johnson built the BET network and brand with ex-wife, Shelia Johnson, and then later took the company public.

After buying back all of the publicly traded stock, Johnson sold BET to Viacom for $3 billion. The move landed Johnson in “Forbes” magazine as the first Black American to be listed as one of the world’s top earners.

Another of Johnson’s many business achievements is becoming the first principal owner of a North American major-league sports franchise. The Charlotte Bobcats and its WNBA counterpart, the Sting, were owned primarily by Johnson’s investment group, which included former NBA superstar Michael Jordan. Johnson continues to make waves in the business world with his RLJ Companies brand and media investments.

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: Disney Introduces 1st African-American Princess

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

 Moment: Disney Introduces First African-American Princess Character

The 2009 Disney film “The Princess and the Frog” is loosely based on the 2002 novel from E.D. Baker, “The Frog Princess.” The romantic fairy-tale was especially groundbreaking considering it was the first time Disney introduced an African-American princess. Voiced by Anika Noni Rose, “Tiana’s plucky character and the film’s New Orleans backdrop gave the typical tale with an original twist. In 2011, Anika Noni Rose was awarded a Disney Legends award for voicing the role of “Tiana.”

Watch a clip from “The Princess” here:

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Serena Williams Sets Record After Reclaiming No. 1 Women’s Tennis World Rank

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: MLK Memorial Opens In Washington D.C.

In the storied career of Serena Williams, the tennis star has been a dominant player on the world stage for 15 years. At an age where many of her contemporaries have retired or have had their physical gifts fade, Williams has seemingly shifted in to a new gear. This was marked most notably by Williams becoming the oldest No. 1 ranked Women’s tennis player last week. The feat is especially remarkable considering Williams won her first major (U.S. Open) title as a teenager in 1999.

This isn’t the Compton native’s first time atop the ranks; this marks Williams’ sixth No. 1 ranking after first achieving the goal at age 20 in 2002. Another key fact: three African Americans are in the world’s top 25 ranking, with elder sister Venus ranked at No. 21 and rising 20-year-old Sloane Stephens at No. 16.

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: President Barack Obama Wins Re-Election

This Sunday, the 2013 Oscars will grace our television sets, honoring Hollywood heavyweights, such as Daniel Day-Lewis and Naomi Watts. But if you are wondering who are some of the Black film stars who could be bringing home an Oscar, NewsOne‘s got you covered with an African-American Oscar nominee list for this year’s show.

RELATED: Ouch! Spike Lee: “The Oscars Don’t Matter”

Best Picture:

“Beasts Of The Southern Wild,” starring Quvenzhane Wallis

“Django Unchained,” starring Jamie Foxx

Actor in a Leading Role:

Denzel Washington in “Flight”

Actress in a Leading Role:

Quvenzhane Wallis in “Beasts of the Southern Wild”

Watch the “Beasts” trailer here:

Cinematography:

“Django Unchained”

Watch the “Django” trailer here:

Directing:

“Beasts Of The Southern Wild”

Writing-Adapted Screenplay:

“Beasts of the Southern Wild”

Writing-Original Screenplay:

“Django Unchained”

“Flight”

Watch the “Flight” trailer here:

Sound off!

Sound off!

RELATED: 10 Biggest Black Snubs At The Oscars

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Opens In 2011

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: Shani Davis First Black Athlete To Win Winter Games Gold

Of the many massive structures that grace Washington’s National Mall, the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial stands apart by way of its significance in marking the strides made since the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement.  Majestic, soul-stirring, and largely pristine, the memorial opened to the public on August 22, 2011, after decades of planning and fund-raising. Located at 1964 Independence Avenue, S.W., the address is connected to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although King isn’t the first African American to be honored with a memorial, he is the first Black person to have one featured on or near the National Mall.

See the Dr. King Memorial here:

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: President Barack Obama Wins Re-Election

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: The Re-election Of President Barack Obama

The re-election campaign of President Barack Obama was not an easy ride. With a seemingly passive message and facing increasingly combative Republicans looking to undermine his rule, it appeared that Obama had lost his edge. Mitt Romney, who by many measures ran a smarter campaign at times, looked to be surging in the polls and had many Democrats and those on the left concerned that the dream was over. After a weak showing in the first presidential debates prior to the 2012 November general election vote, Obama came alive and used his superior oratory and debate skills over the ham-handed jabs of Romney.

It wasn’t until the official confirmation of the win that Obama supporters breathed a sigh of relief. Romney, as expected, balked at the numbers after conceding, but it was clear America did not want the flip-flopping former Massachusetts governor in the White House. Although analysts feared that Obama would be a lame-duck President, he has shown a desire to stick to his lofty and ambitious goals. The Inauguration in January of this year was full of the necessary pomp, but time will tell if the country is unified under the progressive, populist stances of Obama and his administration.

Watch the President win re-election here:

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Shani Davis Becomes First Black Athlete To Win Individual Olympic Winter Games Gold

Speed skater Shani Davis made history at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, becoming the first Black athlete from any nation to win an individual gold medal in a Winter Games event. Davis, a Chicago native, notched the win in the 1,000-meter speed skating event and collected a silver medal in the 1,500-meter contest as well. Ranked as the fastest speed skater in the world, Davis has set eight world records with three of them still unchallenged. Winning 53 individual events as part of the ISUN Speed Skating World Cup circuit, the 30-year-old is the second all-time winning skater in the men’s division.

Watch Davis win the 2006 Winter Olympic Games here:

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Chrysler 300 Sedan Designer Ralph Gilles Continues Corporate Ascent

Although Ralph Gilles has moved comfortably in to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Street & Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, he made huge waves as the lead designer of the popular Chrysler 300 sedan in 2005. Starting with the company in 1992 as part of the design team, the New York-born Gilles worked up to become Chrysler’s Senior Vice President of Product Design – a position he also holds today. Having won several awards for his work in both the automotive industry and business, Gilles remains one of Black America’s top engineering minds.

Watch Gilles talk about the future of Dodge and Chrysler here:

Moment: Oprah Winfrey Ends Longtime Talk Show, Launches OWN Network

From 1986 to 2011, television host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey ruled the airwaves with her nationally syndicated television and eponymously named talk show, which still remains the highest-rated program of its kind. Stepping down after 25 seasons, Oprah would enter the next phase of her career with the Oprah Winfrey Network. After reporting heavy losses early last year, a major overhaul at the network and other savvy moves aim to bring OWN and its slate of original programming to prominence.

Watch Oprah’s last show here:

SEE ALSO: Top Moments In Black History: Halle Berry Becomes 1st Black Woman To Win Best Actress Oscar

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Halle Berry Becomes First Black Woman To Win Best Leading Actress Oscar

Although stunning actress Halle Berry made her acting debut back in 1989 in the world of network television, she’s gained much of her fame as a film actress. After debuting in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” in 1991, it took over a decade for the Cleveland native to be recognized for her chops. In 2002, Berry won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Monster’s Ball” opposite Billy Bob Thorton. Berry’s moving acceptance speech still stirs the soul, and she made certain to give honor to those who forged the path for her.

Watch Berry’s Oscar acceptance speech here:

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Zora Ball Becomes Youngest Person To Develop Mobile Game App

One of our top moments of the century is a recent one. Zora Ball (pictured), age 7, has the distinction of becoming the youngest person to develop a mobile game app. Ball, a first-grader at Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School in Philadelphia, built the game using a programming language called “Bootstrap” that teaches kids age 12 to 16 how to grasp complex math. The prodigious student unveiled her game last December at an expo for the Bootstrap program at the University of Pennsylvania  To prove it wasn’t a fluke, Zora was able to break down how her application works right on the spot. The cute little girl gets her genius honest as her older brother, Trace, was a STEM Scholar of the Year at the Harambee Institute. Makes you want to work a little harder on the job, doesn’t it?

Watch Ball’s accomplishment here:

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Beltway Sniper Attacks Terrorizes Washington Region

In October of 2002, residents of the Washington Metropolitan area were gripped in fear for weeks as a result of the “Beltway Sniper” attacks. Throughout the District’s nearby suburbs in Maryland and Northern Virginia, John Allen Muhammad (pictured above) and Lee Boyd Malvo (pictured right) carried out the savage killings and escaped arrest despite police efforts.

Muhammad, a former Army soldier, manipulated the impressionable mind of the teenaged Malvo, and the pair shot 13 people, killing 10. They were eventually arrested thanks to a diligent partnership between authorities and tipsters. The two were arrested at a rest stop in suburban Maryland. Muhammad was sentenced to death for his crimes, while Malvo, now 27, is serving life in prison.

Watch The Final Report’s special investigation of the “Beltyway Sniper” attacks here:

RELATED:

Top Moments In Black History: Obama Becomes 1st African-American President

Top Moments In Black History: Williams Sisters Top World Tennis Ranks In 2002

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Williams Sisters Achieve Top Two Positions In Tennis World Ranks

Venus and Serena Williams (pictured left and right), reared in the tough city of Compton, Calif., began their historic run of dominance in the mid-1990s. However, it was in 2002 when the sisters would make history: On February 25, 2002, older sister Venus became the first No.1 ranked African-American female player in the Open Era. Just five months later, Serena would take the top spot and ended the year atop the ranks. Currently, the Williams sisters are still strong players with Venus ranked No. 23 and Serena at No. 2. Although the sisters are older than much of their current competition, the powerhouse duo are still viable players and will likely add to the 22 Grand Slam titles they hold in both singles and doubles competition.

Watch the Williams sisters win a recent doubles match here:

SEE ALSO:

Top Moments In Black History: Obama Becomes 1st African-American President

Top Moments In Black History: King Of Pop Dies Too Soon

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Senator Barack Obama becoming President of the United States

Why: Of the many crowning achievements in African-American history, it is possible that no memory was as galvanizing as the election of Barack Obama (pictured far left) to the highest office in the land. Obama’s meteoric rise in politics is well-documented, but many didn’t expect the senator from Illinois to capture a nation that was filled with deep racial divides even into the 21st century. With charismatic oratory skill, a message of populism that resonated with all walks of life, and his charming good looks, President Obama’s stunning win over Republican opponent John McCain will be discussed for decades.

Watch news coverage of the President’s win here:

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Why: The death of Michael Jackson shocked the globe, and the timing of his death in 2009 was especially hard to fathom considering the self-proclaimed King Of Pop was gearing up for a world tour and comeback. Despite his reclusive state and much-publicized legal struggles, Jackson was still a very much beloved figure. There were reports of new music in the works and Jackson’s rabid fan base was chomping at the bit. Jackson succumbed to cardiac arrest, after complications arose from propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. The Jackson family graciously held a public funeral, and the emotionally riveting moment is still both beautiful and painful to watch.

Watch Jackson’s Memorial and Funeral here:

This Black History Month, NewsOne takes a look back at the top African-American moments from 2000 to 2012. Some will make you happy while others will undoubtedly make you angry and/or sad. Either way, here’s to the last 12 years of our living history. Enjoy!

Moment: Gabby Douglas is the first African-American female to win the All-Around gold medal.

Why: Virginia teenager Gabby Douglas leapt her way in to history and our hearts, after snagging the coveted gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Standing at just 4’11,” Gabby became the first African-American woman and the first woman of color of any nationality to win the individual event. Douglas also has the distinction of being the only American gymnast to win both team and solo gold as well. The win catapulted the budding star to mainstream fame, and several endorsements from major corporations were soon to follow. Despite her reported struggles with racism at a gym in her native Virginia Beach, Gabby’s talent rose above all.

Watch Gabby soar at the 2012 London Olympics here:

One segment of the site that has garnered increased attention is our Black History postings. Listing pivotal moments of achievements, events, birthdays and even tragedy regarding African-Americans, it has been both a rewarding and informative project to undertake.

NewsOne takes a look back at 10 heavily discussed Black History moments of 2012.

1. Slave Gabriel Prosser’s Thwarted Revolt Happened On This Day In 1800 (originally published Aug. 30) – The story of the botched revolt of slave and blacksmith Gabriel Prosser was especially resonant, considering that his story has hardly been told. The annals of history would certainly have been altered if Prosser wasn’t betrayed by the very people he sought to liberate.

2. Nat Turner Led Southampton Slave Rebellion On This Day In 1831 (originally published 8/21) – Nat Turner and the tales of his infamous rebellion have been told in times past, but the posting inspired some great comments from our readers. Commentator Black Heywood dropped some especially poignant jewels at several points, including this one: “We are the only group of Americans who seek the approval of White folks to celebrate what is our history.”

3. 1st African American Designs U.S. Mint Coin 66 Years Ago Today (originally published 8/7) – Some posts highlighted individuals who are largely obscure in the realm of Black History. One such person was Isaac Scott Hathaway, a sculptor responsible for designing the first U.S. Mint coin 66 years ago.

4. Teen Emmett Till Victim Of Kidnapping, Brutal Murder On This Day In 1955 (originally published 8/28) – The details surrounding the tragic and still bone chilling case of the murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till would rendered even the most loquacious person speechless. The horrible, racially motivated crime became a galvanizing moment in the growing Civil Rights Movement. The assailants would die sick and alone, pride fully justified in the murder of Till.

5. Opelousas Massacre Occurred On This Date In 1868, Hundreds Of Blacks Slain Over Voting Rights (originally published 9/28) – The Opelousas Massacre in Louisiana was shared over 2000 times via our Facebook page, sparking several streams of discussion surrounding the horrific event where hundreds of Blacks were slain simply for wanting to take part in democracy and exercise their right to vote.

6. S.C. Black Leaders Fought Racist ‘Black Codes’ Law On This Day In 1865 (originally published 11/20) – The power struggle between the North and South surrounding the abolishment of slavery spawned the racist “Black Code” laws to further oppress African-Americans. In 1865, a gathering of activists and church leaders gathered for the “Colored State Convention,” and called for an end to the new laws along with using language framed around the Constitution of the United States.

7. Profiles Of Courage: The Rich History Of African-American Firefighters (originally published 10/5) – Although there are many African-American firefighters present today, little has been written about the pioneering men and women who took on the high-risk profession. This post focused on the evolution of Black firefighters from the 1800s until present day.

8. Million Man March Took Place On Washington’s National Mall On This Day In 1995 (originally published 10/16) – Although the Million Man March happened 17 years ago, the aims of the gathering of 1.5 million people on the grounds of the National Mall still have relevance. Standing as one of the most significant moments of Black History, this post reminded many of how significant that event truly was.

9. Aviation Pioneer J. Herman Banning Makes Historic Cross-Country Flight On This Day In 1932 (originally published 9/19)– J. Herman Banning’s inspiring story proves that determination inspires success. Along with being the first Black aviator to receive a flying license, he was also the first African-American pilot to fly cross-country. His three-week, 3,300-mile trek was a popular news item at the time. Commentator “Voices Of Truth” said of the entry, “Great, inspirational story from an era when racism was more obvious and in your face. We need more inspirational stories today when it is less obvious.”

Recognize! Charlotte Ray Becomes 1st Black Female Lawyer 140 Years Ago (originally published 8/23) – Every young Black woman who ever aspired to practice law has Charlotte Ray to thank. Howard University alumni should be especially proud, since Ray came to her profession by way of the celebrated institution. She would go on to become the first woman of any race to practice law in the Nation’s Capital and the first woman to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court.

While the nation and world will now turn their attention toward President Barack Obama‘s next term as president, NewsOne cannot fully commemorate the President’s win without acknowledging what his decisive victory meant to both Africans throughout the diaspora four years ago this week.

SEE ALSO: Election 2012: The ’47 Percent’ Leads President Obama To A Second Term

In 2008, the financial crisis made the selection of this nation’s 44th president a grave endeavor: Banks needed bailing out, housing markets crashed, stock markets turned downward, and unemployment rose to unprecedented heights. So in the final days leading up to the presidential election, many wondered who would be able to lead this country out what would come to be called the “Great Recession.”

On November 4, 2008, then-Illinois Democratic Senator Barack Obama would deliver an unfathomable shellacking to GOP presidential nominee John McCain, with Obama earning a deafening 365 electoral votes to McCain’s 173. Nearly from the beginning, Obama would clinch key battleground states, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Iowa, and New Mexico. And by 11:15 p.m., McCain would be forced to concede that he had lost to what would become this nation’s first Black president.

And at the news, people took to the streets. Not just in major cities in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and L.A., but throughout the world in Kenya,  Indonesia (pictured right, Obama’s grade school), Ghana, the Philippines, Shanghai, and London.

And the significance of the historic presidential benediction was not lost on African Americans, who were slaves in this country only 147 short years ago.

Through the Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction, Jim Crow,  the Civil Rights Movement, and the infamously failed and debilitating Drug War, no, the significance of having a Black president with a Black wife and Black children was not lost on us at all.

Who could dream of having a Black man in the highest office in the nation and world?

None other than Dr. Martin L. King Jr. who once, after being asked about whether this nation would ever see a “Negroe president,” predicted that this nation would indeed have one sooner than later:

Well, let me say first that I think it is necessary to make it clear that there are Negroes who are presently qualified to be president of the united states. There are many who are qualified in terms of integrity, in terms of vision, in terms of leadership ability.

…

I am very optimistic about the future. Frankly, I’ve seen certain changes in the United States that have surprised me…. So on the basis of this, I think we should be able to get a Negro president in less than 40 years. I think we should be able to get a Negro president in 25 years or less.

Watch Dr. King’s insightful prediction here:

To Africans outside of America (pictured below is Obama’s step-grandmother in Kenya at the news her grandson had won), Obama symbolized a dramatic turn in our collective historical narrative. While the triumphs and exploits of ancient Egyptians, Caribbean maroons, Haiti’s Toussaint L’Ouverture, and the proud and prominent communities of Oklahoma’s Black Wall Street and Florida’s Rosewood have been denied, stifled, and purposely rewritten, Obama’s win COULD NOT be misconstrued, retold, or ignored.

The new age of the Obamas in the White House, which was built by slaves, was irreversibly etched in to annals of history never to be denied again, causing Obama’s famous mantra “Yes, we can” to reverberate around the world.

Watch Will.i.am’s Emmy-award-winning “Yes, we can” tribute here:

For Africans directly from the continent, in particular, Obama represented a stark contrast to the negative stereotype that all Black leaders are selfish, sadistic dictators and parasites that only look to harm and disenfranchise their people. Obama’s presidential win spurred Africans, who are usually divided by country and klan due to culture, language, politics, and neo-colonialism, to unite and celebrate across the continent from Kenya to Uganda to South Africa to Nigeria. Obama also became an immediate benchmark for African leaders to follow.

Once it was announced that Obama would indeed become President of these United States, our collective hopes and dreams shot through the roof. Who could tell us what we could and could not accomplish? The sky was now the limit, with Obama and his family providing a concrete model of achievement.

Don’t believe me? Check Young Jeezy’s “My President” with Nas, when they emotionally rhymed:

Tell him I’m doin’ fine, Obama for mankind We ready for damn change, so y’all let the man shine Stuntin’ on Martin Luther ’cause I’m feelin’ just like a king Guess this is what he meant when he said that he had a dream

…

So I’m sittin’ here right now man, it’s June 3rd, 2:08 a.m. Nigga, I won’t say win, lose or draw man We congratulate you already homie See I motivate the thugs right, you motivate us homie That’s what it is, this a hands on policy

Ya’ll touchin’ me right n*gga, yeah, first Black president Win, lose or draw n*gga, matter of fact, you know what it is, man Shouts out Jackie Robinson, Booker T Washington homie Oh y’all ain’t think I knew that shit, Sidney Poitier, what they do

My president is Black, I’m important too

Watch it here:

Indeed.

As we look forward to the President’s next four years, our collective pride, possibility, and productivity only continues to be heightened.

Sound off!

The Million Man March (pictured throughout), one of the most moving and emotional moments ever in African-American history, took place on the grounds of the National Mall on this day in 1995. The symbolic importance and cultural impact of the huge gathering signified a shift in the attention on issues that plagued urban environs and minorities. The National African American Leadership Summit and the Nation of Islam worked in tandem alongside local chapters of the NAACP to make the March a reality.

SEE ALSO: Iconic Comedian, Entertainer Redd Foxx Passed Away On This Date In 1991

At the time, African-American leaders were moved to act, when in 1994, the Republican Party gained control of Congress during President Bill Clinton’s first term in office. Feeling in some way that policy matters focused on the concerns of Blacks were lacking, the leaders of the time sought to be heard and become part of the national agenda. Much like today, unemployment and poverty disproportionately affected Blacks in comparison to poor Whites, sparking Rev. Jesse Jackson to address several issues in front of the House of Representatives.

The rate of arrests of Black men, drug use among African Americans, environmental hazards, and other societal ills were all on the table and the organizers of the March boldly declared war against the negative downturn. In addition, racial tensions in the country were high, with the highly publicized O.J. Simpson not-guilty verdict coming just two weeks before.

Consequently, Dr. Benjamin Chavis Muhammad, the national director of the March, used his background as a champion for African-American rights to connect groups with one another for the March. The Million Man March was a call for men of their respective communities to gather together and shift the tide for African Americans of either gender.

Men and leaders of all faiths and political ideologies saw the importance of banding together for the March. Further, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan called October 16 “a day of atonement.”

The March began at 6 a.m., with busloads of attendees (pictured above) coming from all over the country and even around the world. Community leaders, pastors, elected officials, and other public figures made up a long list of speakers who spoke powerful words to the reported 1.5-million persons who were there.

Watch footage of the Million Man March here starting at 4:29:

Maya Angelou, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King III were among the more notable speakers of the day. Min. Farrakhan delivered the blistering closing speech, challenging the men in the crowd to embrace and honor one another. In one particularly moving moment, men from all walks of life who didn’t know one another were tearfully hugging, vowing to support the other.

Seventeen years later, the aims of the March are still relevant, especially since the jobless rate and health disparities for Black people are still hot issues. No matter which side of the aisle a person stood on, and regardless of one’s spiritual calling, the Million Man March left a necessary mark in the minds of many, and hopefully, another showing of solidarity of that sort will occur in the near future.

Sound off!

As one of the most-storied African-American groups during the turbulent late 1960s, the Black Panther Party For Self Defense (or the Black Panther Party) stood out not only for their militant appearance but also for their work in impoverished neighborhoods as well. As students at Oakland’s Merritt College (formerly Oakland City College), Huey Newton (pictured right) and Bobby Seale (pictured) were inspired by the teachings of Malcolm X, who was slain just a year before they began the Party. Newton and Seale, growing tired of police brutality and other forms injustice against Blacks, formed the Black Panther Party on this day in 1966.

SEE ALSO: Iconic Comedian, Entertainer Redd Foxx Passed Away On This Date In 1991

Fashioning themselves as left-wing revolutionaries, the Black Panthers felt that Blacks in America needed protection against police, underscoring their emphasis on self-defense. Since Newton was a reader of Karl Marx, Frantz Fanon, Vladimir Lenin, and other revolutionary figures, the Black Panthers taught socialist and Marxist ideology to its members.

Newton maintained the title of defense minister while Seale was recognized as the group’s chairman. Along with forming the party, the group’s landmark “Ten Point Program” was also introduced after being inspired by Stokely Carmichael (aka Kwame Toure) and his activism in Alabama.

The Party’s platform called for equal rights for Blacks, a call for jobs for the community, housing, education, and other demands. Party members were also famous for being armed publicly, after Newton learned that a loophole in California law allowed them to bear guns in plain sight as long as they weren’t aimed.

The Panthers claimed Oakland as a “territory” with the police being enemies of their land and acted as both a community support system and militia-like force.

With racial tensions rising, so did the Panther’s activity. After first denying his involvement, Newton admitted to the killing of Officer John Frey, which galvanized the Panthers even further. H. Rap Brown (now serving life in prison for the 2000 killing of Georgia officer Ricky Kinchen) and James Forman used the moment to stage a huge “Free Huey” rally months later, calling for violence and the assassination of public officials if their leader was not set free. Newton fled trial and escaped to Cuba but still led the Panthers as much as he could from afar.

Beyond their many conflicts with law enforcement officials, the Panthers’ “survival programs” were the stuff of legend. The group provided free food, self-defense training, tutoring, first aid, clothing, drug and alcohol rehab, and many more social programs for those in need. This would land the Party on the radar of the FBI and the insidious “COINTELPRO” program, which then-director J. Edgar Hoover enacted to halt the growth of the group. The FBI infiltrated the inner workings of the Panthers and pitted other similar groups against them, according to documents and personal accounts regarding the matter.

The Black Panther Party dealt with criticism of its violent nature, which often overshadowed the group’s good works. Some members wanted a focus on the socialist aspect, while others wanted to be even more confrontational. The decline of the party was readily apparent in the 1970s, especially in 1974 when Newton appointed Elaine Brown as the Party’s first chairwoman.

Watch the history of the Black Panther Party here:

The group became more involved in the electoral process from this point on, and more women increased their visibility and involvement as a result.  Brown, however, would leave the party after Newton ordered the beating of a female Panther member.

The official end of the party was marked by the closing of its sponsored school in 1982, after Newton was discovered embezzling funds from the school to fuel his drug addiction needs. Newton was later fatally wounded by gunshot in 1989 at the age of 47 by a rival Black nationalist group member and drug dealer.

The Black Panther Party’s legacy lives on, and while a new version of the group has been erected, they have not enjoyed the same success as their predecessors. Some Panthers have gone on to great careers since their involvement, such as Congressman Bobby Rush; singer Chaka Khan; and Father to superstar rapper Kanye West, psychologist Ray West.

No matter what stories have been told about the Black Panther Party, the group’s legendary ascent and unfortunate demise still stands as an important piece in our history.

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Although segregated schools were declared unconstitutional after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954, Arkansas officials neglected to heed the ruling after the NAACP registered nine students to attend a high school for the fall of 1957. Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta LaNier, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Kalmark, Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Pattillo Beals were nicknamed the “Little Rock Nine.”

Segregationists who did not want the Black students in their schools promised protests, prompting Governor Faubus to deploy the Guard. The images of the soldiers blocking the frightened teens from entering the school ignited a firestorm of debate and controversy nationwide.

Trudging through the hostile environment, the “Nine” were cursed at and spat upon during the harrowing ordeal. On September 9, the Little Rock School district condemned Governor Faubus’ actions and even President Dwight Eisenhower would involve himself and warned that the Supreme Court’s decision of desegregated schools should not be ignored.

In a noble act, Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Mann requested that President Eisenhower send troops to protect and escort the students inside safely. On September 24, President Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock and took over the Arkansas National Guard, effectively stripping Governor Faubus of his power.

The transition wasn’t without struggle as the “Nine” suffered racial and physical abuse for the entire school year from White students. Melba Pattillo even said that a student flung acid into her eyes and there were other atrocious acts as well.

Governor Faubus’ actions were indicative of many Southern conservative Democrats who resisted the tides of change with the advent of African Americans integrating in to a desegregated world. Xenophobic and racist treatment continued to thrive in the deep South, but the “Nine” would eventually find some closure after President Bill Clinton (pictured right) presented the group with Congressional Medals of Honor in 1999.

Although the horrific treatment of the students marked how sick and twisted racist minds worked during the 1950s, the moment helped to motivate those within the Civil Rights Movement to fight even harder to combat similar injustices across the country. To make their struggle even more noteworthy, each of the “Nine” graduated from Little Rock Central and all went on to have amazing careers spanning the fields of journalism, accounting, social work and psychology.

Watch the “Little Rock Nine’s story here:

Imagine the hell the “Nine” endured for just a moment. The fact that each of them found a way through the madness and excelled far beyond every low expectation that their doubters had about them speaks volumes to the resiliency of the human spirit. The “Nine” and their fight for equality is a moment of our rich history that should not be forgotten or discounted.

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Born James Herman Banning in Oklahoma in 1899, he would later move his family to the town of Ames, Iowa in 1919. Enrolling into Iowa State, Banning briefly studied electrical engineering but later ended his collegiate career after being called to the skies.

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Determined and driven to learn more about aviation, he endured denials to access at area flight schools due to his race. Eventually, an instructor and army aviator taught Banning privately at the Raymond Fisher’s Flying Field school in Des Moines. Although Banning didn’t complete his education, he owned and operated an auto repair shop before a bold move to Los Angeles would change the entire course of his life.

Banning arrived in Los Angeles in 1929 and began working for the Bessie Coleman Aero Club, named after the first African American female pilot who lost her life in a tragic accident in 1926. Banning performed in various air circuses and even flew Illinois Rep. Oscar De Priest, the first Black person to serve in Congress since Reconstruction, in an exhibition event in California.

Along with being the first African American aviator to obtain a flying license from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Banning and his co-pilot Thomas C. Allen would embark upon a cross country flight that took the duo three weeks to complete. The 3, 300 mile flight from Los Angeles to New York took a total of 42 flight hours, with several stops made to raise funds for fuel and maintenance. The plane used was constructed of surplus parts and the pair was nicknamed “The Flying Bohoes” in several papers.

Just four months later, Banning would return home and attempted to rent a plane for a San Diego air show but was refused once again due to racism. Instead, he was a passenger in a biplane with a young, inexperienced Navy pilot who wanted to impress the older Banning. After forcing the small plane into a steep climb, the engine would stall and send the plane crashing to the ground, killing both men. He was 34, ironically the same age as Bessie Coleman at the time of her death.

Although he was faced with odds and barriers beyond his control, J. Herman Banning never let his circumstances cloud his dreams. His determination, grit and refusal to accept no for an answer are lessons many folks, young and old, should heed.

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Then-President Harry S. Truman authorized a commission for the Mint to jump start the design of a new 50-cent piece. Hathaway received the clearance to design the coin, which featured educator and author Booker T. Washington (pictured right) who was chosen as the coin’s face because Truman wanted “to commemorate the life and perpetuate the ideas and teachings of Booker T. Washington.”

Hathaway’s historic moment was followed up in 1951 with another request to design a commemorative 50-cent coin featuring African-American innovator George Washington Carver, which he was commissioned for.

Hathaway’s life began in Lexington, Ky., raised primarily by his single father. As a boy at age 9, a curious Hathaway visited a museum full of famous White Americans with his father and asked where a bust of his hero, Fredrick Douglas (Hathaway eventually created Douglas’ bust, which can be seen below), could be found. His father told him that there were no trained Black sculptors to craft the busts of famous African Americans. Hathaway then reportedly said to his father, “I am going to model busts of Negroes and put them where people can see them.”

Hathaway would do that and more, after stints at several colleges studying art in Kansas, Ohio, and New York. After completing his studies, he returned to his native Kentucky and became an elementary school teacher, using his extensive art training to both teach and showcase his sculptures.

As his sculptures became noted by residents near the school, he would start a company called “The Afro Art Company,” later switching the name to the “Isaac Hathaway Art Company.”

Hathaway’s work in ceramics and his sculptures of prominent historic figures of African-American lore vaulted him as one of the first individuals to introduce the art of ceramics in college classrooms.

Hathaway may not have the fame associated with his name as many of his heroes that he would go on to make busts for, but he deserves to be recognized for his innovations in art and for his quote where he eloquently said “that the art of a people not only conveys their mental, spiritual, and civic growth to posterity, but convinces their contemporaries that they can best portray in crystallization their feelings, aspirations, and desires.”

We are thankful for Isaac Scott Hathaway, a true art pioneer.

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