Compiled by Cianna Hope Reeves
Do you know him?
Born in Chicago, he was raised in Seattle’s Central District. Activist and organizer Aaron Dixon found himself on the front lines just over 50 years ago when he was named Captain of the first Black Panther Party branch in California after the assassination of Bobby Hutton. Growing up, his parents instilled in him and his brother the importance of fighting for social justice. As a college student he formed Black Student Union, and the Seattle Chapter of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) along with his friends. Later, he spent four years as captain and was promoted to party national headquarters in Oakland. After years of advocating for the rights of blacks, Dixon published a memoir of his life entitled “My People Are Rising: Memoirs Of A Black Panther Party Captain” (2012) which shared details of his time with the Black Panthers.
http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/aaron_dixon.htm
Do you know her?
Born on Dec. 12, 1903 in Norfolk, Va. and raised in Littleton, N.C, her childhood was filled with social justice movements. Ella Baker attended Shaw University, graduating as its valedictorian in 1927 before moving to New York. While at Shaw, Baker challenged school policies which served as a precursor for the rest of her life and career. Baker worked for over five decades as a civil rights activist and organizer, inspiring and guiding emerging leaders. Labeled as one of the most important women figures of the Civil Rights Movement, Baker was a brilliant influential speaker and sparked change.
https://ellabakercenter.org/about/who-was-ella-baker
Do you know him?
The late Charles “Chuck” Harrison is one of the most important industrial designers of his time, and items that he’s either invented or designed have been impacting lives for over 60 years. Charles Harrison Jr. was born Sept. 23, 1931 in Shreveport, La. Harrison worked for Sears for 32 years, designing hundreds of items including sewing machines, toasters, lawn mowers and several household items. According to reports, he is also the first black executive for Sears. Harrison retired in 1993 but went on to teach part-time at several universities across Chicago.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Harrison
Do you know her?
Dr. Olivia J. Hooker, who saw 103 years of age, made military history. She became the first African-American woman to join the United States Coast Guard after being rejected by the United States Navy.
Hooker was born Feb. 12, 1915 in Muskogee, Okla. At the age of six, Hooker witnessed the Ku Klux Klan ransack her home during the violent Tulsa Massacre of Black Wall Street and was one of the few, if not the only, survivors of that moment in history. The family relocated to Columbus, Ohio, and Hooker graduated from Ohio State University in 1937. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. woman attempted to enter the Navy and was denied due to her race. She was eventually allowed to join the Navy after contesting the denial, but Hooker elected to join the Coast Guard instead in February of 1945. Hooker was part of the SPAR (Semper Paratus Always Ready) division, a section of the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve.
This unit was eventually disbanded in 1946. The following year, Hooker obtained her master’s degree in psychology from Columbia University and worked with women in an upstate New York prison.
In 1961, Hooker earned her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester and in 1963, she joined the faculty of Fordham University, teaching until 1985. She retired two years later, and at the age of 95, she joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the civilian reserve of the branch.
Hooker passed of natural causes on Nov. 21, 2018 at her White Plains, N.Y. home,” according to blackamericaweb.com
https://blackdoctor.org/512294/dr-olivia-j-hooker-last-survivor-of-black-wall-street/
Be First to Comment