Black History Month
From “I Had a Dream” to “Yes We Can”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, was a Baptist
Minister and Civil-Rights Activist, who played a major role in ending the segregation of AfricanAmerican citizens in the United States beginning in the mid-1950s. He was also instrumental in
creating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King received many honors
and awards during his lifetime, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, being one of the highlights.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. He is best remembered for his 1963
speech, “I Have a Dream.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can
do that.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Here is an excerpt of Dr. King’s famous "I Have a Dream" speech. To listen to his “I Have a Dream”
speech in its entirety, click HERE.
Lewis Latimer, born on September 4, 1848 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, learned the art of mechanical
drawing during his tenure at a patent firm. While working as a draftsman, Latimer worked with
Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. It was during this time that he also designed many of his
own inventions. Lewis Latimer died on December 11, 1928.
Louis Armstrong, born on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana, received several nicknames
during his career, such as “Satchmo”, “Pops”, and “Ambassador Satch”. Gaining popularity in the
1920s, Armstrong influenced many upcoming musicians because of his way of playing the trumpet and
his unique vocal talents. Starting in the jazz world, he was able to gain prominence in a variety of
musical genres. Among the many songs he recorded throughout his career, Armstrong is known for
“Star Dust”, “La Via En Rose”, and especially for “What a Wonderful World”. Louis Armstrong died
at home in Queens, New York on July 6, 1971.
“The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician.” –Louis Armstrong
Make sure to check out Louis Armstrong performing the classic song, "What a Wonderful World".
Pearl Bailey, born on March 29, 1918 in Newport News, Virginia, made her Broadway debut in
1946 in St. Louis Woman. She is best known for her roles in the stage shows House of Flowers and an
all-black production of Hello, Dolly!, which won her a Tony Award in 1968. Bailey was a popular
guest star on variety shows in the 1960s and ‘70s, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Carol Burnett
Show, and The Flip Wilson Show. Later in her career, she became an advisor for the United Nations.
Pearl Bailey died on August 17, 1990.
Among Pearl Bailey’s many well-known songs, "Two to Tango" is considered one of her greatest hits.
Jackie Robinson, born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia, became the first African-American
player in the major leagues when he signed to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. During his
decade with the Dodgers, the team played in six World Series, winning the championship in 1955.
Robinson quite an advocate for Civil Rights for black athletes during this time as well. Retiring in
1956 with a career batting average of .311, he was the first African-American to be inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Jackie Robinson died on October 24, 1972.
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” –Jackie Robinson
To learn more about Jackie Robinson’s life and career and to see archival footage of him playing
baseball, click HERE.
Mae C. Jamison, born on October 17, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama, was the first African-American
woman to participate in the astronaut training program on June 4, 1987. Jemison actually flew into
space with six other astronauts on September 12, 1992 aboard the Endeavour. This meant that she was
also the first African-American woman in space. Jemison has been the recipient of many awards and
honorary doctorates because of her accomplishments and the example she has set for AfricanAmerican women that have followed in her footsteps.
“You have as much right as anyone else to be in this world and to be in any profession you want . . .
You don’t have to wait for permission.” –Mae C. Jemison
Rosa Parks, born on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama, was a Civil Rights Activist beginning
in 1943 when she became involved with the Montgomery, Alabama chapter of the NAACP. On
December 1, 1955, Parks gained notoriety when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger
and move to the back of the bus. Due to the city-wide boycott, Montgomery was forced to lift the law
allowing segregation on public buses. She received many different awards and accolades during her
lifetime for the incredible work she did to further civil rights for African-Americans. Parks was
awarded the NAACP’s highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, as well as the Presidential Medal of
Freedom by then president Bill Clinton. Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005.
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what
must be done does away with fear.” –Rosa Parks
Bill Cosby, born William Henry Cosby, Jr. on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has
become one of the greatest comedians of his time. Cosby dropped out of school to join the Navy, later
dropping out of college to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. His first acting job—TV series I Spy
(1965-68)—made Cosby the first African-American actor to star in a dramatic role on television. As a
result he became the first to win an Emmy Award as well. Though his stand-up routines are wellknown by audiences, Cosby’s most successful project so far has been The Cosby Show which ran from
1984 to 1992 on NBC. It was the number one sitcom for five years in a row. The show became
equally important for revitalizing the situation comedy and for presenting African-American in a way
that was never seen before on television—the husband was a doctor while his wife was a very
successful lawyer. He has long been stressed the importance of a good education and has been an
example for African-Americans everywhere.
“My observations are not bread crumbs. They do not dissolve. They are on record, on film printed in
books, and found on the Internet. I am happy to share them. For this I was born.” –Bill Cosby
In 1983, Bill Cosby performed his most famous stand-up routine, entitled Bill Cosby: Himself, which
was full of well-known routines like The Dentist.
Watch the following clip from the Pilot episode of The Cosby Show where Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby)
explains to son Theo (Malcolm Jamal-Warner) what it means to be regular people.
Condoleezza Rice,
born on November 14, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama, grew up in the
segregated South of the 1950s and ‘60s before eventually becoming first woman AND AfricanAmerican to serve at Stanford University as the provost. She was appointed as the National Security
Advisor by then President George W. Bush in 2001. Once again she was the first African American
woman to serve in this position. In 2005, Rice became the first African-American woman to serve as
U.S. Secretary of State—she would hold the position until 2009.
“Differences can be a strength rather than a handicap.” –Condoleezza Rice
“I think my father thought I might be president of the United States. I think he would’ve been satisfied
with secretary of state. I’m a foreign policy person and to have a chance to serve my country as the
nation’s chief diplomat at a time of peril and consequence, that was enough.” –Condoleezza Rice
Barack Obama, born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii, become the 44th president of the
United States in 2008. He began as a Civil Rights lawyer and teacher before pursuing a career in
politics. Obama served as a senator for Illinois from 1997 to 2004, after being elected in 1996. He
became president of the United States in 2008, becoming the first African-American to be elected in
the position. In 2012, he was re-elected as president. His campaign slogan “Yes We Can” proved to
be true, making him quite the example for blacks in the United States and around the world. He has
been instrumental in enacting policy changes to health care and the economic crisis.
“So don’t let anyone tell you that change is not possible. Don’t let them tell you that standing out and
speaking up about injustice is too risky. What’s too risky is keeping quiet. What’s too risky is looking
the other way.” –Barack Obama
Take a look at an excerpt from President Barack Obama’s history-making speech on Election Night
2008. To watch the speech in its entirety, click HERE.