Tag: History

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced his retirement by year's end after nearly four decades of trailblazing inclusive history. He made it his life's work to give Black culture the sacred space it always deserved, launching the National Museum of African American History and Culture and championing additions of museums dedicated to women's history and American Latino heritage.

Twenty-five years ago, twelve Black firefighters ran toward the World Trade Center as smoke filled the sky. They knew the danger, but they went anyway. Their final act of service became part of a legacy the city they pledged to protect. For generations, Black firefighters fought for opportunities within the FDNY, facing discrimination and barriers. The twelve men who died on September eleventh became part of that history, representing generations of Black New Yorkers who had worked to make a place for themselves while serving their communities.

This weekend, families and friends across the nation will enjoy a long weekend and a Monday away from work for Labor Day—the unofficial end of summer and the start of a new season. But whether you're enjoying a plate of barbecue, some extra rest, or using your time off to serve your community, remember this name: John Patterson Green.

Seventy-one years ago, 14-year-old Emmett Till was kidnapped, brutally tortured, shot and thrown into the Tallahatchie River by two white men who walked free. As the 71st Emmett Till Anniversary Commemoration Weekend kicks off in Mississippi, his legacy continues to confront the undeniable reality that systemic injustice is still alive and well today. Generations have passed since 1955, but the horror hasn't stopped. It has only evolved. Black families are still burying sons found hanging from trees, while police labeled their deaths suicides.

As the 2026 Miss USA Pageant prepares to crown its next winner, we wanted to take a look back at all the gorgeous and talented Black women who have won the title over the years. From notable names like Kenya Moore and Deshauna Barber to a few you may have never heard of, these women truly brought beauty, brains and some much-needed melanin to the annual pageant.

For generations, Black broadcasters used the airwaves to introduce new artists, challenge the status quo, build community and cultivate some of the most iconic voices in American media. Before podcasts and social media, Black radio was where culture lived and thrived. From breaking racial barriers to fighting for the blues, our disc jockeys made history.