Stories from the Front Page
LOOKING BACK
60 Years Ago- August 28, 1963
MLK’s I Have A Dream Speech
and
the March on Washington
Stories from around the internet...
2023 GRC Scholarship
Winners
This year’s scholarship winners are Skylynn Burnam, Azzareya Morris and Tewana Nance. Congratulations to all!
LOOKING BACK
“Six Triple Eight” women to receive Congressional Gold Medal ...
https://news.va.gov/102004/six-triple-eight-women-to-receive-congressional-gold-medal/
On March 14, President Joe Biden signed the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 into Public Law 117-97. The legislation awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the 855 members of the Women’s Army Corps, who were assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – the “Six Triple Eight” – during World War II ...
The SixTripleEight: No Mail, Low Morale | The National WWII ...
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/african-american-womens-service-and-experience
On February 3, 1945, the US Army sent over 800 black women overseas to England aboard the SS Ile de France. Their mission unknown to them. Eleven days later, after dodging German U-boats, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion “the SixTripleEight” landed in Glasgow, Scotland.
The SixTripleEight: No Mail, Low Morale. On February 3, 1945, the US Army sent over 800 black women overseas to England aboard the SS Ile de France. Their mission unknown to them. February 10, 2021. Top Image: Major Charity Adams inspecting her troops in Birmingham, England by the Army Historical Foundation
At only 14 years old African American Tony Hansberry II became an inventor by inventing a technique that will reduce surgery time, pain and complications in 2009. This groundbreaking invention help surgeons and in turn make surgeries safer for patients. The surgical technique called the ‘Hansberry Stitch ’ named after him ...Read more
Black Youth Invents Surgical Technique at 14
Tony Hansberry II
University of Notre Dame Names Katie Washington Valedictorian... Read more
Bill Russell
American basketball player and coach
Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday. The Hall of Famer was 88.
William Felton Russell revolutionized basketball with a simple innovation: jumping. In an era when players were told to stay fastened to the ground when playing defense, he jumped. And when Bill Russell jumped, he blocked shots. He blocked so many shots – while averaging an astounding 22.5 rebounds a game – that even though the blocked shot was not a stat that was kept during his day, it is widely assumed that he is the all-time leader.
Russell turned the blocked shot into an art form and played unselfish basketball en route to 11 championships and five MVPs in 13 years with the Boston Celtics. He also played a role in revolutionizing politics, and at this moment when the GOP is trying to roll back time – to in effect kill the reforms and memory of the Black freedom struggle – remembering his legacy is especially vital.
William Felton Russell was an American professional basketball player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association.
Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood as communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, has died at the age of 89. Her son Kyle Johnson said Nichols died Saturday in Silver City, New Mexico. “Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away.”
Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on Star Trek,
has died at 89
Armani A’von Cunningham, Tauren Alexis Oldham, & Noah Benaiah Israel
- Armani Cunningham: Will be attending: Eastern Kentucky University. Major: Social Work
- Tauren Oldham: Will be attending: the University of Louisville. Major: Nursing
- Noah Israel: Will be attending Lexington, Kentucky’s: The Lexington Academy of Barbering
- Congratulations from the Winchester Black History & Heritage Committee on completing another chapter of your life! As you each turn the pages, remember everything you need in the next chapter resides in you. While you may have to make edits to your story, do not stop writing. Remember the person with the pen always wins. You hold the pen! So, keep drafting your story and create a story of triumph and victory!
Push forward toward growth and seek to make an impact on those around you. There’s much to be done in our world, and your actions carry the potential to change our story. Know that we are all proud of you and look forward to watching you make a difference in the world. We believe in you. Peace, blessings, and congratulations again!
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Arthur Ashe
UPDATE: Sunday August 21, 2022
Midshipman Otis F. Brown, Jr. became Ensign Otis F. Brown, Jr. an officer in the United States Navy.
Read more...
Peter McDonald, 94 years young is the last remaining of the WWII Navajo Code Talkers.
To learn more about his story visit America’s Navy Website. Click here for the direct link.
Learn more about all of the Code Talkers at the WWII Museum. Click here...
Black History Month: Onesimus Spreads Wisdom That Saves Lives ...
When Mather asked Onesimus if he had ever had smallpox back in Africa, Onesimus described the practice of variolation to prevent smallpox epidemics. Variolation consisted of first taking infectious material (like pus) from the blisters of smallpox patients. A healthy person then receives the material through a cut in the skin in a controlled manner and under the supervision of a physician.
Vice Presidential Firsts
When Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn into office on Jan. 20, she made history as the first woman of color to hold the second highest office in the United States.
Harris is the first woman, the first woman of color, the first South Asian American and the first Black American vice president, but according to a fact check from USA Today, she is not the first person of color to hold the position.
Charles Curtis, a Native American lawmaker of the Kaw Nation, was vice president to the 31st President Herbert Hoover.
Charles Curtis and Herbert Hoover
Charles Curtis (January 25, 1860 - February 8, 1936) was an American attorney and Republican politician from Kansas who served as the 31st vice president of the United States from 1929 to 1933. He also previously served as the Senate Majority Leader from 1924 to 1929.
A member of the Kaw Nation born in the Kansas Territory, Curtis was the first person with any Native American ancestry and with acknowledged non-European ancestry to reach either of the highest offices in the federal executive branch. He is the highest-ranking enrolled Native American ever to serve in the federal government. He is also the most recent Executive Branch officer to have been born in a territory rather than a state.
Black Death
Also known as Black Death, Henry Johnson was an African American hero who single-handedly beat back a German assault during World War I.Despite being stabbed, shot, and hit with grenade shrapnel totaling 21 severe injuries, he managed to kill/injure 24 German soldiers and rescued a member of his unit. He was the first American soldier to receive France’s highest award for bravery, Croix de Guerre, and in 2015, The White House also awarded him the Medal of Honor in a posthumous ceremony.
Historical Marker #2226 in Frankfort commemorates the only monument in the state that honors the nearly 25,000 African American Kentuckians who served in the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War.
ARTIST BISA BUTLER STITCHES TOGETHER THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
Civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer's searing speech about the brutality she'd endured because, as a voting rights activist, she wanted black Americans "to become first-class citizens," made primetime before the 1964 DNC officially kicked off. (Bettmann via Getty Images)
LaFrance practices folk-art called "Memory Painting", in which she records her autobiography in visual images. For over 70 years, LaFrance has re-created memories of a life-style that is rapidly disappearing. Her paintings portray Southern farm scenes like plowing, church picnics, cotton fields, and river baptisms. LaFrance's signature painting, "Church Picnic" is of a time that is dear to her.
LaFrance's paintings have been featured in galleries in Richmond, KY., Columbus, GA., and St. Louis, MO. Her biography is featured in an art reference book written by Kathy Moses, "Outsider Art Of The South" Of her art, LaFrance says with modesty, "I just do what I do. I thought if I kept doing it, one day I'd do something worthwhile." Helen LaFrance has an art galley in the historic downtown section of Mayfield, KY.
Helen LaFrance
Helen LaFrance (b. 1919), a renowned Kentucky folk artist, has been painting since she was 5 years old. Born in Graves County, her works reflect images from memories of Western Kentucky farm life. She received no formal art instruction and never attended high school. Her mother inspired the young LaFrance, placing a pencil in the child's hand, instructing her to paint what she saw, then helping to gently guide Helen's hand across the paper.
LaFrance's first work was a large gray rabbit, painted on the back of a piece of leftover wallpaper with watercolors given to her by her aunt. LaFrance remembers how her mother kept her supplied in paints by blending laundry blueing with dandelions and berries.
Steed Among the First All African-American NFL Officiating Crew to Work MNF
WASHINGTON (November 23, 2020) – Howard University's Greg Steed will be among the first all African-American officiating crew to work ESPN's Monday Night Football (MNF) in NFL history. The game features the Los Angeles Rams (6-3) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. (ET) on ESPN.
In February, Steed, who graduated from The Hilltop in 1993 and was a member of the Bison football team, officiated Super Bowl LIV (54) where the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. At that time, he made history being among the five African-American officials to work the Big Game.
Now entering his 18th season as a National Football League (NFL) official, Steed will make history again as part of the first all African-American officiating crew to work the historic ESPN television series, which began Sept. 21, 1970.
He began his career doing high school football in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and quickly moved up the ranks doing college games, including the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Atlantic 10 and the Big East. His next step was professional football where he honed his skills with the Arena Football League, the XFL and NFL Europe before graduating to the NFL in 2003.
Greg has worked several Divisional and Wild Card playoff games as well as two Conference championships during his productive career. He was rewarded for his work by being assigned to Super Bowl XLII (42) as an alternate, SB XLIV (44) as an on-field official and last year's Super Bowl as the on-field back judge.
Greg Steed
Ed Hill, Jr., retired Howard Sports Information Director, contributed to this story.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com
The History of Dry Ridge
The Story of a Black Family and Post-Civil War Community in Clark County, Kentucky
The Story of Dry Ridge is the work of Harry G. Enoch, Bobbi Newell, Lyndon Comstock and Tom Richards.
African American Cemeteries in Clark County
To see our new series highlighting the cemeteries of Clark County. Click Here.
Where in the World: Winchester heroes at Santiago
By Harry Enoch For The Winchester Sun Read the article
George Lucas’s New Museum Acquires Major Archive of African American Film History
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a new cultural institution co-founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas, has acquired a major collection of memorabilia documenting the history of African American film from 1904 to 2019.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch on the History of Protest in America
This episode of "Conversations in Context," an interview series with Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, examines key movements in black history, from Civil-Rights-era protests like the Greensboro sit-in to Black Lives Matter, and explores what lessons today’s movement can learn from the past.
SPECIAL KENTUCKIANS
Garrett Morgan
Garrett Morgan, a self-educated Kentuckian from Paris, Kentucky was well known for his creative inventions. Included in his many inventions are the three-way trafficsign and a gas mask that was used by theU.S. Army in World War One.
Morgan received the First Grand Prize at the Second International Exposition of Safety and Sanitation in 1914... among many other awards.
Although Morgan invented the traffic signal in 1923, it wasn’t until forty years later that the U.S. Government regcognized Morgan’s contribution that is now used world-wide.
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