This Week In Black History

This Week In Black History 

Sunday, February 17

1942 

Huey Newton~  founder of the Black Panther Party is born. The Black Panther Party, active from 1966-1982, was national and internationally recognized for its involvement in the Black Power Movement. 

Monday, February 18th

2006

Shani Davis ~ becomes the first African American ( from any nation) to win an individual gold medal in the Winter Olympics  In the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy, Davis won first in the 1000 meter speed skating race.  

Tuesday, February 19th 

1992

John Singleton ~ becomes the first African American film director to be nominated for an Academy Award. Singleton's debut 1991 film Boyz n the Hood was nominated for both best Screenplay and best director. Not only was he the first African American to be nominated  at age 24 he was the youngest director to be nominated for an Academy Award. 

Wednesday, February 20th 

1927

Sidney Poitier ~ is born. In 1963 Poitier became the first African American to win an Academy Award for The Best Actor 

Thursday, February 21st

1965

Malcolm X ~ is assassinated. Malcolm was assassinated while preparing to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity in Manhattan. 

Friday, February 22nd

2008

Johnnie Rebecca Carr~ dies at age 97. In 1967, Carr became the President of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), succeeding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The MIA was instrumental in leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 

Saturday, February 23rd

1868

W.E.B Dubois~ is born. W.E.B Dubois became one of the founders of the NAACP . He also graduated from Harvard  and became one of the first African American to earn a doctorate degree.