Grace Wisher, an often overlooked figure, played a vital role in creating the Star-Spangled Banner. Born in the early 19th century in Baltimore, Grace’s story intertwines with turbulent times. She was a free African American girl who showcased resilience and the silent contributions of many like her. As a young girl, she dedicated her skills to a significant project. This project became a symbol of American pride and resilience. Despite a lack of recognition during her lifetime, Grace’s legacy deserves celebration. This post explores the lasting impact Grace left on American history.
Early Life of Grace Wisher
At around 13 years old, Grace’s mother bound her daughter into service to help with family expenses. She also hoped it would provide Grace with a better future. Limited economic opportunities for free African American women in Baltimore at the time made an apprenticeship a valuable chance to learn essential skills. Grace mastered housework and plain sewing during her apprenticeship, boosting her personal and professional development.
The Role of Apprenticeship
Grace served as an indentured apprentice to Mary Pickersgill, a flag-maker. Mary was commissioned to create two flags for Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812. They crafted a 30 x 42-foot garrison flag and a 17 x 25-foot storm flag for inclement weather. Mary’s daughter Caroline (thirteen) and her nieces Eliza Young (thirteen) and Margaret Young (fifteen) assisted her and Grace with making the flag.
Sewing the Star-Spangled Banner
Grace served as an indentured apprentice to Mary Pickersgill, a flag-maker commissioned to create two flags for Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812. They crafted a 30 x 42-foot garrison flag and a 17 x 25-foot storm flag for inclement weather. Mary’s thirteen-year-old daughter Caroline and her nieces Eliza Young (thirteen) and Margaret Young (fifteen) assisted her and Grace with making the flag.
Challenges and Unrecognized Contributions
During her time, people did not recognize Grace Wisher for her work on the Star-Spangled Banner. While Mary Pickersgill and her family received credit, Grace’s contributions went largely unnoticed. Her work remained relatively unknown in historical records. After completing her apprenticeship, Grace likely continued working in domestic service or sewing. These were common occupations for free African American women in Baltimore at the time. However, specific details of her later life and contributions remain undocumented.
Legacy and Modern Recognition
Efforts to acknowledge and honor Grace’s role in creating the iconic flag have only emerged in recent years. Her involvement in making the Star-Spangled Banner connects her to a pivotal moment in American and African American history. To learn about Grace Wisher, click here.
Kwanzaa is a vibrant, week-long celebration that honors African American culture and heritage. Rooted in the principles of unity, self-determination, and collective work, Kwanzaa is an opportunity to reflect on and embrace our cultural identity. Join us in our latest blog post as we explore the origins of Kwanzaa and its significance to Black culture. We also share ideas for festive activities, delicious recipes, and ways to bring family and community together.
Honoring Our Ancestors: Tracing Family Roots During Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a perfect time to celebrate and honor our ancestors. It is important to understand and preserve family history, share stories and traditions passed down through generations, and use genealogy to strengthen familial bonds. Kujichagulia, or self-determination, is the second principle of Kwanzaa and focuses on defining, naming, creating, and speaking for oneself. This principle encourages individuals and communities to take control of their own destiny and narrative, fostering a strong sense of identity and purpose. The principle of Kujichagulia emphasizes how knowing our roots helps us define and embrace our identity.
Kujichagulia and Genealogy
Understanding Heritage
Tracing your family roots allows you to understand the diverse threads that make up your heritage. This knowledge helps individuals appreciate the cultural, historical, and social contexts that have shaped their identity.
Affirming Identity
By learning about your ancestors and their stories, you can find connections and commonalities that affirm your sense of self. This deep understanding empowers you to proudly embrace and celebrate your identity.
Strengthening Family Bonds
Exploring genealogy often involves connecting with family members and sharing stories. These shared experiences strengthen bonds and foster a collective sense of identity and unity within the family.
Preserving Traditions
Knowing your roots helps preserve cultural traditions and practices that might otherwise be lost. This preservation ensures that future generations can also benefit from and contribute to the family’s legacy.
Empowering Future Generations:
Self-determination is about creating a legacy for future generations. By documenting and sharing your family’s history, you provide a foundation that future generations can build upon, empowering them to continue the journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
By embracing Kujichagulia and exploring your genealogy, you not only gain a deeper understanding of who you are but also contribute to the collective strength and resilience of your community. This journey of self-discovery and empowerment is a powerful way to honor your ancestors and ensure their legacy continues to thrive.
Practical Steps for Applying Kujichagulia through Genealogy
Start a Family Tree
Use online tools or genealogy software to begin documenting your family history.
Interview Relatives
Speak with older family members to gather stories, names, and dates that might not be recorded elsewhere.
Preserve Documents
Collect and preserve important family documents, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and photographs.
Utilize DNA Testing
Consider using DNA testing services to uncover additional information about your ancestry and connect with distant relatives.
Participate in Cultural Activities
Engage in cultural practices, attend heritage events, and join community groups that celebrate your culture and history.
Karamu
Planning a Karamu (Kwanzaa feast) for Kwanzaa? The perfect menu can be a delightful way to celebrate the holiday’s principles of unity, culture, and community. Here’s a suggested menu that blends traditional African and African American dishes (click the links for the recipes):
This menu offers a variety of flavors and textures that celebrate the rich culinary traditions of African and African American cultures. Enjoy your feast and the joyous spirit of Kwanzaa!
Politics and US
What Does the Trump Presidency Mean for People of Color and Women?
The election of Donald Trump has had a significant impact on people of color and women. Many feel that his policies and rhetoric have often marginalized these groups. For instance, Trump’s administration has been criticized for rolling back protections and rights that disproportionately affect women and people of color. However, it’s also important to note that some individuals within these groups have supported Trump, citing economic policies or other factors they believe benefit them. The overall effect is complex and varies widely among different communities and individuals.
Here are a few examples of how specific policies and societal structures impact people of color and women:
Abortion Bans and Reproductive Rights
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 has had significant impacts, particularly on women of color. Abortion bans have caused outsized harm to people of color, who are more likely to seek abortions and face structural barriers to care. In 2022, the CDC reported that among women who had abortions, 39% were white, 28% were Black, 25% were Hispanic, and 8% were of other racesThe resulting stress, anxiety, and lower self-esteem from being denied abortions have exacerbated existing inequalities. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), in 2022, the uninsured rates for different racial and ethnic groups were 6.6% for White women, 10.0% for African American Women, 18.0% for Hispanic women and 19.1% for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women. These statistics highlight the disparities in healthcare access among different racial and ethnic groups.
Gendered Racism in the Workplace
Economic Inequality and Social Policies
Women of color face unique challenges in professional environments due to gendered racism. They often navigate both racial and gender barriers, leading to higher stress levels and harsher evaluations compared to their white and male counterparts. This intersectionality of racism and sexism can significantly impact their mental and physical health.
Economic policies such as minimum wage laws and social policies like cash, food, and medical assistance have varied impacts on women across different racial and ethnic groups. Women of color are often overrepresented in low-wage professions and face greater financial insecurity in retirement due to lower lifetime earnings.
STEM Representation and Education
Health Disparities
Women, particularly women of color, are underrepresented in STEM fields. This underrepresentation is due to various factors, including gendered racism and lack of support for women in these areas. Efforts to increase interest in STEM among young girls and college-age women are crucial for addressing this disparity.
Health outcomes for women of color are distinct from those of white women and men of color. Chronic stress from navigating a race-and-gender-conscious society can lead to early health decline and poorer health outcomes. Addressing these disparities requires targeted public health interventions and policies.
Protecting Yourself
People of color and women can take several steps to protect themselves and advocate for their rights:
Stay Informed
Educate Yourself: Stay up-to-date on current events, policies, and laws that affect your rights.
Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your legal rights in various situations, such as interactions with law enforcement or in the workplace.
Build Community Support
Join Advocacy Groups: Engage with organizations that work towards equality and justice for people of color and women.
Create Support Networks: Connect with others in your community to share experiences, resources, and support.
Engage in Civic Activities
Vote: Participate in local, state, and national elections to help shape policies that impact your community.
Advocate: Contact your representatives and participate in advocacy campaigns to voice your concerns and demands
Seek Legal Assistance
Legal Resources: Utilize legal aid organizations that provide support and representation for those facing discrimination or other issues.
Document Incidents: Keep detailed records of any discriminatory or unjust incidents to support any legal action you may need to take.
Focus on Health and Wellness
Mental Health: Prioritize mental health by seeking counseling or therapy if needed, and practicing self-care.
Physical Safety: Learn self-defense techniques and be aware of your surroundings.
Economic Empowerment
Financial Literacy: Improve your financial literacy and stability through education and resources.
Entrepreneurship: Support businesses owned by people of color and women, and consider entrepreneurship as a means of economic independence.
The intersectionality of race and gender means that these issues are often compounded, requiring comprehensive and intersectional approaches to address them effectively which probably won’t happen with the new administration. Taking these proactive steps can help people of color and women protect themselves and create positive change in their communities.
Featured Article
The Kwanzaa Initiative
I have known about Kwanzaa since the late 1980s. I started participating in Kwanzaa events in college and continued when I could find them to this day. That’s the problem – Kwanzaa is hit or miss. Some years it’s really popular and other years it loses ground. We as African Americans need to be more consistent when it comes to Kwanzaa. We need to do what we can to foster African American events and history in the next four years. With schools trying to eliminate Black History, we as a people need to do more to keep it alive. I propose the Kwanzaa Initiative for 2025 (it might be too late in the season for 2024). Here are some engaging activities and events that should make Kwanzaa a 7-day celebration:
Party Like a Rock Star!
Candle-Lighting Ceremony
Each night of Kwanzaa, have a small dinner party with your neighbors and close friends. Light one of the seven candles on the Kinara representing the seven principles (Nguzo Saba). This can be a beautiful and meaningful way to start the celebration.
Card Games
You know we are always down for a game of Spades! Also consider Culture Tags, Black Card, Black History Flash cards, Urban Trivia, Growing Up Black Memes, Culture for Tabu and Lyrically Correct.
Craft Activities
Set up stations for making traditional crafts like Mkeka Mats (weave straw mats to symbolize the foundation of the community), Kinara Candle Holders (create candle holders using recycled materials) and Unity Cups (craft cups that represent unity and togetherness) to name a few.
Music and Dance
Organize a music and dance session with traditional African music and dance performances. You can also start a Soul Train line or a dance-off during your party! Or a Karaoke Party – need I say more?
Kwanzaa Feast (Karamu)
On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, host a festive feast (Karamu) with traditional African dishes. Encourage guests to bring a dish to share and enjoy a communal meal.
Gift Exchange
Organize a gift exchange with a focus on handmade or meaningful gifts that reflect the values of Kwanzaa.
Community Gathering
A 2-day weekend community event to celebrate Kwanzaa is a fantastic idea! Rent a large event space with a stage and have fun with the following:
Storytelling and Readings center – gather around and share stories, poems, or readings that reflect the values of Kwanzaa at specific times. You can invite local African American poets, authors, and historians to read excerpts of their books.
Family history – have a genealogist teach people how to research their family history.
Games with prizes – plan fun games that promote the principles of Kwanzaa like – Kwanzaa Bingo (create bingo cards with Kwanzaa-related words and symbols), Kwanzaa Pictionary (divide participants into teams and play Pictionary using Kwanzaa-related words and phrases), Cultural Charades (charades with themes related to African culture, historical figures, and Kwanzaa traditions) and Kwanzaa Scavenger Hunt (create a scavenger hunt with items related to Kwanzaa and African culture. Provide clues that lead participants to find these items around the venue) and Black History Trivia (teams can test their knowledge with trivia questions about African history and culture).
Craft activities for everyone – set up stations for making traditional crafts like paper chains, corn husk dolls and decorations, African beaded necklaces and bracelets, Adinkra stamps, African headbands, Kwanzaa coloring sheets, Kinara, Unity cups, Mkeka Mats and Family scrapbook (create a family scrapbook or memory book where participants can add photos and stories).
Workshop on Kwanzaa – set aside time for reflection and discussion about the principles of Kwanzaa and how they can be applied in daily life. This can be a great way to foster unity and understanding within the family.
Family Tree Poster – help participants create a family tree poster using stickers and die cuts to illustrate their family history and connections.
Black and Brown Vendors – promote black and brown-owned local businesses and restaurants.
I don’t know about you but this sounds like a great initiative to me!
I have heard many complaints about patronizing Black-owned businesses. I can even co-sign to some of the negative commentary based on my own experience. Whatever the case, it is more important now than ever to support and Buy Black. If WE don’t support our own, who will? We need to get over ourselves! We need to build up and support our communities and entrepreneurs – don’t support businesses that don’t support US! Don’t know where the Black-owned businesses in your town are? Ask!
Let’s be smarter in the next few years and firmly establish a supportive community for our people.
Julia Amanda Perry was born on March 25, 1924, in Lexington, Kentucky to Dr. Abraham Murphy Perry and America Lois Heath Perry. Julia was the fourth of five daughters in the family. She enjoyed a musical and supportive early childhood. Her father, Dr. Abraham Murphy Perry, worked as a physician and played the piano as an amateur, while her mother, America Lois Heath Perry, worked as a school teacher.
Early Life
Julia grew up in Akron, Ohio, in a family that valued education and the arts. The environment in her household likely fostered her early interest and dedication to music, which paved the way for her later achievements. This nurturing backdrop played a significant role in shaping her future as a composer. From a young age, she engaged with music, studying voice, piano, and violin, and showcasing her musical talents early on.
Education
Perry attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in 1947. She continued her studies at the Juilliard School of Music and the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, Massachusetts.
Early Career and Achievements
Perry’s early compositions were heavily influenced by African-American music. In 1951, she composed “Free at Last” and “I’m a Poor Li’l Orphan,” which showcased her incorporation of black spiritual music. She won her first Guggenheim Fellowship in 1954 and studied under Nadia Boulanger in Paris, where she received the Boulanger Grand Prix for her Viola Sonata.
European Studies and Recognition
From 1955 to 1957, Perry received two Guggenheim Fellowships to study in Florence, Italy, with composer Luigi Dallapiccola. Her compositions gained international recognition, and she became the first African American woman to have her orchestral work performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in London.
Later Career and Contributions
Perry returned to the United States and continued her work in composition. In 1964, her three-act opera-ballet “The Selfish Giant” won an American Academy of Arts and Letters Prize in music. She took up teaching at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College (Florida A&M) in Tallahassee in 1967 and was also a visiting artist at Atlanta College. Julia Amanda Perry never married – she dedicated her life to her music and teaching career.
Final Years and Legacy
Perry suffered a stroke around 1970, which severely impacted her career. Despite her health challenges, she continued composing until her death on April 24, 1979. Her work includes symphonies, operas, and chamber music, and she remains a significant figure in American classical music. For more information about Julia Amanda Perry, click here.
I originally published this information about the 1898 Wilmington Massacre in my Family Jewels blog in September 2022. Because of the current political climate and tension that many have been experiencing with this election, I felt that people sometimes need a reminder that history repeats itself.
January 6, 2021 wasn’t the first political riot aimed at overthrowing the party in power. Thoughout American history, riots have happened for various reasons. Contrary to popular belief, rioting was not invented by African Americans; we learned by example. Race riots have scarred America’s past, starting with the treatment of the Native Americans. White supremacists feared Black political and economic power. This fear, arguably stemming from the potential for retribution due to slavery, was real no matter how irrational. Fearing Black control of city and county politcs, whites orchestrated campaigns of violence and intimidation.
Hamburg, South Carolina
The Hamburg Massacre, also known as the Red Shirt Massacre, took place in July 1876. Southern Democrats aimed to regain control of the majority Black Republican district of Edgefield in Aiken County, South Carolina. They sought to suppress Black voting and civil rights through intimidation and violence. The Red Shirts, members of white supremacist rifle clubs, wanted to reclaim control due to “negro rule.” “Negro rule” was Blacks holding city political power through elections and appointments during the Reconstruction era. Several incidents preceded the massacre, including an attack by over 100 Red Shirts on 30 Black National Guardsmen at an armory, the torture and murder of four Black militiamen, and the killing of 100 Black citizens of Ellenton in Aiken County, South Carolina.
Wilmington Massacre
Another similar incident hits closer to home for me— the Wilmington Massacre of 1898. Wilmington, North Carolina, thrived as an integrated port city with a significant Black middle class. The city of Wilmington had a biracial Fusionist government. The Fusionist Party, formed in the 1890s through an alliance between the Populist Party and the Republican Party. It aimed to challenge the Democratic Party’s dominance. The Democratic Party (different from today’s party) enacted policies disenfranchising African Americans and marginalizing poor white farmers. The Fusionists promoted economic reforms, improved public education, and ensured fair political representation for all citizens, regardless of race. In the 1894 and 1896 elections, the Fusionists gained significant political power in North Carolina, leading to the election of a multiracial government in Wilmington.
Fearing the political and economic power of Black citizens, white supremacists conspiredto overthrow the elected government if it didn’t favor them. On November 10, 1898, around 2,000 white men, led by the “Secret Nine” and the Red Shirts, attacked the city. They burned down the office of the Black-owned newspaper, The Daily Record, and expelled Black and white political Fusionist party leaders from Wilmington. The white supremacists ousted those in power, overthrew the city government and installed their own mayor, police chief and other city officials. The violence resulted in an estimated 14 to 300 deaths of Black residents and detroyed proprty in the thriving Black community. The riot displaced thousands of African Americans, most of whom fled north.
The coup transformed North Carolina politics, ushering in more severe racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans. In response to this event, North Carolina enacted some of the harshest Jim Crow laws in the country, which persisted until the Civil Rights Movement over 65 years later. It stands as the only successful coup d’état in U.S. history.
To learn more about the 1898 Wilmington Massacre, click these links for History.com and PBS.
Every Wednesday we will feature a little known but important women in history.
If you watched the movie “The Harder They Fall” in 2021 you would have seen the real-life historical figure named Stagecoach Mary played by Zazie Beetz. Mary Fields was a 6 ft tall, 200 lbs. woman who drank whiskey, cursed like a sailor, wore pants under her skirt, and packed a pistol in the folds of her apron. She definitely was NOT a delicate flower! She was allowed to patronize saloons and taverns at a time when women could not.
Mary Fields was born enslaved in Hickman County, Tennessee, in about 1832. After Emancipation, she made her way to Florida, worked on a Mississippi River riverboat and lived in a convent in Ohio. She eventually ended up in Montana to nurse her friend, Mother Superior Mary Amadeus Dunne, back to health. She lived in her convent with the nuns but was kicked out by the Bishop because she swore and drank too much. She did odd jobs to get by – laundress, restauranteur, and took on roles that were considered men’s work – maintenance, repairs hauling freight, and construction. She was the first African American woman to work as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service. She got the job because she was the fastest applicant to hitch a 6-horse stagecoach; that was how she got her nickname, Stagecoach Mary. She worked as a mail carrier from 1895 to 1903. She was fearless but carried several guns to protect herself from wild animals, stagecoach bandits and robbers. Her life story has been portrayed by Esther Rolle, Dawnn Lewis, Kimberly Elise, Erykah Badu, Zazie Beetz, and Whoopi Goldberg between 1976 and 2024.
February is Black History Month! Although Black History is American History, February is a time to showcase Black Excellence in our history and culture. Thank you for subscribing to The Family Jewels newsletter. Try to make researching your family history a priority this year. If you would like to discuss a specific topic or have a genealogical question, send me a message and I will feature it in the next newsletter.
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
This year’s Black History Month theme is African Americans and the Arts. Art has many categories. The arts encompasses visual arts (painting, sculpting, filmmaking, photography, drawing ceramics & architecture), literature, performing arts (dance, theater, music) and culinary arts (cooking, candy making & wine). It’s a mixture of African, Caribbean and American culture intertwined with the happiness, pain, and heartache that we have suffered in our history. Our films, fashion and art reflect this, making sure that it tells the history of our people.
African American art, literature, music and culture became well-known during the 1920s and 1930s during a period called the Harlem Renaissance. This was only a snapshot in time because our art began with the creation of the pyramids in Egypt, the Mayan ruins, the fiddlers that entertained on plantations, even the Lowcountry sweetgrass basket weavers in South Carolina and Georgia who have been weaving baskets for over 300 years.
No matter what genre, Black artistry has a flavor that no one can duplicate.
Looking for Long Lost Relatives?
If you want to research your family history (and I strongly encourage everyone to do so), let me know and I can assist you. I offer several affordable packages depending on your research needs. If you are an amateur genealogist/family historian, I can create a research plan to guide you in the right direction. I am always willing to help.
I grew up with Reader’s Digest magazine. My mother had a monthly subscription along with Jet Magazine. It was my turn to read it only after my mother and grandmother had their hands on it. I enjoyed the articles, the fashion and the recipes. What I didn’t know until recently was the existence of the Negro Digest! It was first published in November 1942 by the same publishers of Jet and Ebony, John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company. The magazine was marketed directly to the African American community. Writers reprinted articles from other publications that were of interest to the Black community. Eventually, Negro Digest had its own staff writers and produced its own articles.
Magazine Marketing
Of course there was pushback in producing a magazine only geared toward African Americans and Johnson could not get funding. No one would take a chance and publish his magazine. He took out a $500 loan using his mother’s furniture as collateral so that he could send out letters from the mailing list of the insurance company he worked for. The letter was a marketing tool to solicit African Americans with a prepaid $2 per year subscription plan. His plan was a success and he secured the funding necessary to print and mail the magazine.
Strategy to Sales
The next obstacle he had to conquer was getting newsstands to sell his magazines. Newsstand owners believed that Black people would not buy it. Johnson came up with the idea to have any Black person he knew go to the newsstands requesting it. Eventually, the newsstands carried the magazine and it became an overnight sensation. The magazine became so popular that even white writers contributed to the magazine. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote an article for the “If I Were a Negro” column and sales doubled!
Ebony Magazine
Johnson Publishing Company created Ebony Magazine in 1945 which mimicked Life Magazine. Jet Magazine, a weekly digest, launched November 1951. These magazines became extremely popular which caused the downfall of Negro Digest. It ceased publication in 1951 but came back to life in the 1960s under the new name, Black World. The new magazine had a whole new perspective because it focused on politics, activism, the economy and spirituality unlike Negro Digest. Black World came to an end in 1976.
Client Corner – Gloria Baker Goodwin
Words cannot express how much I appreciated all the work Tanya has done in opening up my family history tree. Tanya connected all the dots for me and made all the “leaves” make sense! I couldn’t wait until my next visit with my cousin to share the information, so I called her on the spot! Tanya was presenting me with my Family History Binder and I had to interrupt her to get my cousin on the phone so she could share with both of us. My cousin is the true family historian and I knew she would love to be a part of this discussion. I am so blessed to have Tanya as my genealogist.
Featured Article – Celebrating Black History Month
Black History is American History and should be celebrated every day. This year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts. Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. Because of our culture and heritage, we speak the truth to fight racism, discrimination and injustice. Let’s celebrate this month starting with some of the firsts in African American Arts.
Visual Arts
Henry Ossawa Tanner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 21 June 1859. He was an American artist who moved to Paris in 1891 to study art. He was the first African-American painter to gain international fame. His most famous painting was The Banjo Lesson.
Mary Edmonia Lewis was a Free Person of Color born in 1844 In upstate New York, She was of African American and Native American (Mississauga Ojibwe) descent. She was the first African-American and Native American female sculptor who gained critical acclaim. Her most famous sculpture was The Death of Cleopatra.
Oscar Micheaux was born in Metropolis, Illinois on 2 Jan 1884. He was an author, director and producer who produced and directed 44 silent films in his lifetime. His most famous movie was Body and Soul.
Gordon Parks was the first Black photographer hired by Life magazine. He was multitalented in the visual arts. He was a pioneering photojournalist from the 1940s to the 1970s, a film director (“Shaft,” “The Learning Tree”), a best-selling novelist and a composer. His most famous work was a photograph called American Gothic.
Robert Robinson Taylor was born 8 Jun 1868in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was the first African American student allowed into MIT and graduated as an architectural student. He was the director of the Department of Mechanical Industries at Tuskegee Institute (now University). His most famous building was The Chapel at Tuskegee built in 1898. A fire destroyed the chapel in 1957.
Literature
Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa about 1753 and was enslaved in Boston Massachusetts. She published her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, in 1773. Manumitted in 1774, Wheatley became the first African American to publish a book and the first African American to achieve an international reputation as a writer.
Performing Arts
Arthur Mitchell was born on 27 Mar 1934 in Harlem, New York. He was the first African American male dancer in a major ballet company. He also became the first African American principal dancer of a major ballet company, the New York Ballet in 1956.
Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, also known as Stepin Fetchit, was born 30 May 1902 in Key West, Florida. He was an American vaudevillian, comedian, and film actor. Perry became the first African American actor to have a successful film career, earning him $1 million dollars.
George Washington Johnson was born about Oct 1846 in Virginia. He was a singer and recording artist. Johnson was the first African American recording star of the phonograph. His most popular songs were “The Whistling Coon” and “The Laughing Song.” He moved to New York after the Civil War and became a street entertainer who was famous for his whistling.
Culinary Arts
James Hemings was born enslaved in Virginia about 1765. He was the brother of Sally Hemings and half brother to Thomas Jefferson’s wife, Martha; he was enslaved by Thomas Jefferson. He trained in France as a master chef in the art of French cooking, the first African American to do so. We can credit him for creating the recipe for macaroni and cheese, French fries and the ice cream cone!
Augustus Jackson was a Free Person of Color born 16 Apr 1808 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served as a chef for the White House in the 1820s. After leaving the White House, he ran a successful catering business. He was also a candy confectioner who created several ice cream recipes and perfected the method of manufacturing ice cream around 1832.
Thomas Price became the first African American to achieve the certification of American Master Sommelier in 2012. He is the 190th of 262.
John June Lewis, Sr. is recognized as the first African American winemaker in the United States. He took an interest in wine and winemaking while stationed in France during World War I. When he inherited land in Clarksville, Virginia, he started growing grapes. He opened Woburn Winery in 1940.
Editor’s Note – Making the Most of our History
Hello My Peoples! Black History is under fire. Many states ban books and prevent our history from being taught in schools. Why? Many say that it makes students feel uncomfortable and it’s unfair to those students. But is it fair that school curriculum is trying to erase the only history African Americans have? As much as we know, our history started when colonizers kidnapped us from Africa and we arrived in this country. We know that we helped build the United States, therefore we cannot allow school boards and administrators to erase and censor our hard work, determination and perseverence. If your children aren’t learning our history in schools, teach them at home! Take them to cultural events for Black History Month, Juneteenth, and Kwanzaa! Make sure they know who their ancestors are! It’s your job for each one to teach one. Love, Peace and Genealogy.
