Back to Top
Kansas
The thirty-fourth state to join the Union, Kansas entered the United States in 1861. It was a crucial battlefied for slavery leading up to the Civil War, with both sides hotly contesting whether it would be a free or slave state. The First Colored Volunteers of Kansas are the first black troops to see action in the Civil War. Many of these troops will later be murdered after being captured in Arkansas. Today it has a population of 2.6 million people. The capital is Topeka.
Kennedy Center Honors
Award given by the Kennedy Center in recognition of outstanding lifetime achievement in the performing arts.
Kennedy, John F.
Elected in 1960, the nation's 35th president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was both the first Roman Catholic elected to the office and the youngest. Son of famed Boston entrepreneur and public citizen, Joseph Kennedy, John F. Kennedy's youth and vibrancy captured the imagination of the American electorate. In 1963, after serving just two years, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas during a motorcade ride.
Kennedy, Robert F.
The brother of 35th President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Like his brother, Robert F. Kennedy served in the armed forces and graduated from Harvard University. He also served in his brother's administration as Attorney General, where he won notoriety for his dogged pursuit of organized crime bosses and then-Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa. As Attorney General he also sent federal troops to enforce the integration of the University of Mississippi. After his brother's assassination in 1963, Kennedy was elected to the Senate from state of New York. After four years as a Senator, he announced his candidacy for President, winning crucial Democratic primaries in Indiana and Nebraska. Tragically, he was killed on June 5th, in Los Angeles, California, shortly after claiming victory in that state's primary.
Kentucky
The fifteenth state to join the United States, Kentucy was granted statehood in 1792. Divided on the issue of slavery, the state was neutral in the early part of the Civil War and officially joined the Union in late 1861. The scene of numerous important events during the Civil Rights Movement, Kentucky passes what Martin Luther King, Jr., calls the "the strongest and most comprehensive" Civil Rights Bill passed by a Southern state in 1966. Ten years later, due to a historical oversight, Kentucky finally ratifies the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Kicks and Company
A musical written by Oscar C. Brown Jr. in 1960. The musical follows the adventures of the carefree and devilish character Mr. Kicks as he involves himself with a sit-in of black students at the fictional Freedman University for Negroes.
King Jr., Martin Luther
Born January 15, 1929, this ordained clergyman and Nobel Prize winner was one of the principal leaders of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Dr. King's advocacy of nonviolent protest to end legal segregation and racial discrimination was instrumental in forcing the federal government to confront the issues of injustice in the United States. Dr. King served as president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, an organization responsible for the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. Additionally, he co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Dr. King's last speech was delivered April 3, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee during a bitter sanitation workers' strike. He was assassinated the following evening. In 1986, Martin Luther King's birthday was officially declared a federal holiday.
Kitt, Eartha
Famed African American singer/actor/performer. The versatile Kitt is one of a handful of entertainers to be nominated for a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy. She got her start as a dancer in the Dunham Troupe.
Korean War
The Korean War, fought from 1950 until 1953, was waged over preventing the spread of Communism to all of South East Asia. The war began with the invasion of South Korea by North Korea, and after near victory for United States forces, they are driven back, and nearly defeated. Ultimately, gains are remaid, and the United States, North Korea and China sign an armistice, which results in the establishment of a demilatarized zone dividing country in two. It remains divided today.
Back to Top
Liberia
One of only two African countries not formed by Western colonial forces, Liberia's first African American settlers arrived in 1816. The Liberian colony elected its first black governor in 1841, and became an independent nation in 1847. With most of the populace settling around the coastal capital of Monrovia, and not until the 20th century did much of the inland terrain come under government control. Recent decades have seen civil war and United Nations intervention to put an end to the violence.
Libretto
A libretto presents the story or text of an opera or an oratorio. It consists of the words of a musical work, such as an opera, which explains the underlying structure or motivation of both the spoken and sung roles.
Lincoln University
Founded in 1854 in Pennsylvania, Lincoln University is the oldest black college in the nation. Originally named the Ashmun Insititute, the school was renamed Lincoln University in 1866 in honor of the slain president. The university boasts such distinguished alums as poet Langston Hughes ('29), Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall ('30), and first President of Nigeria Kwame Nkrumah ('39).
Lincoln, Abraham
The 16th President of the United States. Lincoln served from 1861 to 1865. During his presidency the Civil War was fought, and his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the north, as well as paved the road for complete emancipation.
Little Rock Nine
On September 24, 1957 nine black pupils entered Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, with an escort of paratroopers. The intransigence of the South against the "law of the land" was amply demonstrated when Governor Orval Faubus summoned National Guardsmen to turn away the Black puplis. A direct challenge was being posed to the federal government which had already approved a desegregation plan for the district. When the Black students were forced to withdraw from the premises of the school--in direct defiance of a federal district court order--President Eisenhower, for the first time since Reconstruction, sent in federal troops to protect the rights of the beleaguered students. Some 1,000 paratroopers descended on Little Rock, and were joined by 10,000 National Guardsmen. The soldiers remained on call for the entire school year, inasmuch as Governor Faubus refused to assume the responsibility for maintaining order in the community.
Louis, Joe
Known as the "Brown Bomber," Joe Louis was a devastating boxer. Born in Alabama and raised in Detroit, he became one of the greatest fighters in history. His career saw him wearing the Heavyweight Championship Belt and defeating the German champion on the eve of World War II in a bout that was hailed as a refutation of Nazi Germany's racial attitudes. When he passed away in 1981, President Ronald Reagon waived the eligibility rules for Arlington National Cemetary and allowed him to be buried there.
Louisiana
Admited to the United States as the 18th state on April 30, 1812, Louisiana later seceeded from the Union on January 26, 1861 and joined the Confederacy. The Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson, which declared that separate but equal facilities were equal, was decided based upon a Louisiana case, and the state maintained a series of "Jim Crow" laws for decades. The last of these laws was abolished in 1972, and today Louisiana is a growing economy of tourism and extensive natural resources.
Lusaka
Founded in 1905, Lusaka is the capital and largest city (1997 est. pop. 1,209,000) of Zambia, Africa. Located in the central region of the country, Lusaka is both a productive farming community and a thriving commercial center. Its location at the junction of highways to Tanzania, Malawi, and Zimbabwe has made Lusaka a natural transportation hub for southern Africa.
Back to Top
MacArthur Foundation Fellowship
Also known as the "Genius Award," these grants are presented to individuals who have displayed exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work. The awards are given to individuals not in honor of past work but rather is an investment in a person's future work.
Maine
Originally part of Massachusetts, Maine joined the Union in 1820, as the twenty-third state to enter the United States. Maine shares a lengthy border with Canada. Augusta is the capital.
Majority Whip
Standard leadership role in a legislative body. The Majority Whip is a member of the majority party who coordinates the party's legislative agenda and attempts to enforce the party line when bills come to the floor for a vote.
Malcolm X
Considered to be one of the most fiery and outspoken individuals of the 20th century, Malcolm X was born in 1925. He was a charismatic leader of the Nation of Islam before being ousted from the group in 1964. He went on to found the Organization of Afro-American Unity and the Muslim Mosque, Inc. An advocate of black nationalism, many of his followers became disillusioned with his less extreme views that he developed. He was shot and killed at the Audobon Ballroom in Harlem by men identified as being members of the Nation of Islam on February 21, 1965.
Mandela, Nelson
South African freedom fighter, activist and statesman. Nelson Mandela served as President of South Africa's African National Congress, a civil rights organization that struggled to overthrow the racist system of apartheid. Later, after serving twenty-six years in prison, he would become the nation's first democratically elected president. Mandela is recognized as one of the great freedom fighters and civil rights leaders of all time, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Martinique
Colonized by France in 1635, this small island in the Caribbean has subsequently remained a French possession except for three brief periods of foreign occupation.
Maryland
The seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Maryland was a large slaveholding state up to and during the Civil War, although it never left the Union. Baltimore, the largest city in the state, has a long and proud tradition of African Americans suceeding in all walks of life. Thurgood Marshall, a native of the city, went on to become the first African American to sit on the United States Supreme Court.
Massachusetts
The sixth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Massachusetts was home to the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. The 54th was one of the first divisions of African American troops formed, and the soldiers saw combat in the Civil War. In 1966, Massachusetts voters elected Edward W. Brooke III, the first black U.S. Senator elected in 85 years.
Mayfield, Curtis
Singer, songwriter, and activist Curtis Mayfield was a central figure in the Soul and Rhythm & Blues genres of African American music. Mayfield gained prominence during the 1960s and 70s with socially conscious records, including "People Get Ready" and "I'm So Proud." A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mayfield received the honor in 1991 as a member of R&B group The Impressions and in 1999 as a solo performer. Curtis Mayfield died on December 26, 1999.
Mays Chemical Company
Chemical supply company founded in 1980 by William Mays. The company has grown to include offices around the country, and offers a variety of products and services.
Mays, Willie
One of the greatest, if not the greatest, players to ever play the game of baseball. In his twenty-two years with the Giants, the "Say Hey Kid" hit 660 home runs and 3,283 hits. A stunning combination of speed, power and smarts, Willie Mays played in 24 All Star games, and was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Medill School of Journalism
Named for long-time Chicago Tribune editor Joe Medill, Northwestern's graduate program is one of the most prestigious in the nation. Today it boasts alumni in the highest positions in both print and broadcast media.
Mexico
The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century.
Michigan
The twenty-sixth state to join the Union, Michigan enter the nation in 1837 as a free state. The largest city, Detroit, saw many race riots in the second half of the 20th century. John Conyers, Jr., one of the longest serving African Americans in Congress, hails from the state.
Million Man March
Organized by Louis Farrakhan, this event brings together hundreds of thousands of African Americans on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for a day of unity and a show of strength of character on October 16, 1995. Despite the name, women are present both in the crowd and on the podium, including civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.
Minnesota
Admitted to the Union in 1858, Minnesota became the thirty-second state to join the United States. The capital is St. Paul, which creates a large urban area with its twin city, Minneapolis.
Mississippi
The twentieth state to join the Union, Mississippi was accepted in 1817. It joined the Confederacy in 1861, and after the Civil War was readmitted to the Union in 1870.
Missouri
The twenty-fourth state, Missouri was admitted to the Union in 1821. In 1861, Missouri is admitted to the Confederacy, despite the fact that it had not formally seceded. The largest city, St. Louis, sits on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Morgan, Garrett A.
The inventor of the gas mask, Morgan can be credited with having saved countless lives. He himself donned one when a tunnel under Lake Erie collapsed and he rushed to the rescue of those trapped. The city of Cleveland, Ohio, awarded him with a gold medal for his actions and invention. Morgan also invented the first automatic traffic signal, as well as discovered and marketed the first hair straightening chemicals. He passed away in 1963.
Back to Top
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Television trade organization founded in 1957 to promote creative leadership in the television arts and sciences. The academy recognizes programming excellence with the Emmy Award. With its national headquarters in New York, the organization has 13 local chapters around the country.
National Aeronautical and Space Administration
President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958, partially in response to the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite. NASA grew out of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA), which had been researching flight technology for more than 40 years. NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.
National Air and Space Museum
One of the twelve Smithsonian museums, it contains the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. Among its most famous artifacts are the original Wright brothers' flyer, the "Sprit of St. Louis," and the Apollo 11 command module. It is located in Washington, D.C.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The nation's largest civil rights organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909 following the Niagra Movement, W.E.B. DuBois and a group of concerned whites committed to social justice. The NAACP has been instrumental in exposing and removing political, social, educational, and economic barriers created by racial discrimination. Much of the organization's success has occurred in the legal arena with cases such as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. The 1954 Supreme Court decision followed a long effort by the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund to end school desegregation.
National Association of Black Journalists
A trade organization for black journalists, founded in 1975. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) seeks to strengthen ties between black journalists and draw attention to African Americans concerns within the industry. The organization recognizes outstanding achievement in the field with numerous awards and oversees various educational recruitment
programs.
National Association of Negro Musicians
The National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) was founded in Chicago in 1919. It is the oldest organization dedicated to the preservation, encouragement and advocacy of all genres of the music of African-Americans in the world. It has, likewise, sought to develop higher professional standards of all music through lectures, conferences and conventions. Since its inception, it has provided encouragement and support for thousands of African American musicians, many who have become widely respected figures in music and have contributed significantly to American music culture and history.
National Baseball Hall of Fame
A museum honoring and recognizing baseball's greatest, located in Cooperstown, New York, where Abner Doubleday is said to have invented the game. Players are eligible for the hall of fame in their sixth season of retirement, and are nominated and elected by the Baseball Writers of America Association. The Hall also serves as a national baseball archive, library and research center.
National Basketball Association
Professional basketball league formed in the United States in 1949 by the merger of two rival organizations, the National Basketball League (founded 1937) and the Basketball Association of America (founded 1946)
National Black Caucus of State Legislators
The primary mission of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators is to develop, conduct and promote educational, research and training programs designed to enhance the effectiveness of its members, as they consider legislation and issues of public policy which impact, either directly or indirectly upon "the general welfare" of African merican constituents within their respective jurisdictions.
National Black Programmers' Coalition
Formerly the Young Black Programmers Coalition (YBPC), the NBPC is a national trade organization comprised of leading professionals from the communications, radio, leisure and music industries. Formed in response to mainstream radio's inability to serve the needs of African American communities, the NBPC is dedicated to the preservation of the legacy of Black Radio.
National Black Writers Conference
Organized by novelist John Oliver Killens, the National Black Writers Conference (NBWC) began with one-day writers conferences held at Fisk University and Howard University in the 1960s. In addition to scholars, professional writers and literary critics, the NBWC invites the general public to participate in forums concerning issues and trends in African American literature. Keynote speakers have included Maya Angelou (1986), Gwendolyn Brooks (1988) and Amiri Baraka (1996).
National Collegiate Athletic Association
A voluntary organization with over 1,200 member colleges and universities. It sets rules and policies for athletic recruitment, scholarship, and competition. It also organizes the annual NCAA college basketball tournament.
National Conference For Community and Justice
A human relations organization founded in 1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Prompted by the growth of the KKK and other racist and xenophobic groups in the 1920's, such luminaries as Jane Addams, Benjamin N. Cardozo, and future U. S. Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes came together to form an organization "dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America."
National Conference of State Legislators
National bi-partisan organization founded in 1975. The organization serves as a resource for legislators nationwide, providing research, consulting services and seminars for its members.
National Endowment for the Arts
An independent governmental agency established by Congress in 1965. The mission of the NEA is to "serve the public good by nurturing human creativity, supporting community spirit, and fostering appreciation of the excellence and diversity of our nation's artistic accomplishments." The organization is the largest source of non-profit arts funding in the nation. It has financially supported such legends as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan.
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation funds research and education in science and engineering. It does this through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, and other research and/or education institutions in all parts of the United States. The Foundation accounts for about twenty percent of federal support to academic institutions for basic research.
National Urban League
Founded in New York City in 1910, the National Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. The organization works to improve education, help adults attain self-sufficiency and improve civil rights.
Negro Baseball League
Until 1947, when Jackie Robinson made history with the Brooklyn Dodgers, African American baseball players were not allowed to play in the major leagues. During this half-century of racist segregation blacks played in the so-called Negro Leagues, where an entire sports universe flourished in the shadow of the all-white baseball leagues. Sports historians unanimously agree that the Negro Leagues featured talent on par with their major league counter parts. Today many of the stars of the Negro Leagues have become household names, such as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell. At age 99, Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe is the oldest living Negro League player.
Negro Newsfront
First broadcast in 1948 by Chicago-born Oscar Brown Jr., the Negro Newsfront concerned itself with issues of particular relevance to the African American community. Aired in the city's South Side Bronzeville neighborhood, the program gained significant popularity with "America's largest majority" who were politically, socially and economically marginalized. The radio program featured stories often considered too progressive for station owners, and the Negro Newsfront was often kicked off the air.
New Hampshire
The ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Predominately an anti-slavery state, New Hampshire was a strong supporter of the North in the Civil War and was known as a progressive state during the Civil Rights Movement.
New Jersey
New Jersey became the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. New Jersey was the last of the northern states to abolish slavery, doing so in 1804. Newark, the largest city in the state, is home to a large African American community.
New York City
The largest city in the United States and one of the most famous centers for commerce and culture, the world over. Founded by the Dutch on land purchased from Native Americans, the city was originally named New Amsterdam. Conquered by the British in 1664, it was renamed New York. During the colonial period, New York was a major center of trade, and a hotbed of revolutionary activity during the Revolutionary War. It served as the nation's first capitol before the federal government moved to Washington D.C. in 1800. In 1897, the Charter of Greater New York consolidated the five boroughs—Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx—into one city. New York was the great portal of immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Millions of new Americans passed the Statue of Liberty and through Ellis Island on their way to becoming citizens. Nicknamed the "Big Apple" by jazz musicians in the thirties, it is home to the country's major financial institutions and Wall Street. As of the 2000 Census, its population was 7,322,564.
New York City Mission Society
Founded in 1812, the NYCMS was founded to provide hope to the masses of immigrants pouring into New York City in a time of rampant disease, poverty and overcrowding. Over the years, the Mission Society adapted to changing times, providing the first summer camp for African American children in the 1920s and began leadership training seminars in the 1950s. For almost 200 years, the NYCMS has been providing community service to citizens of New York and inspiring them.
New York State
The eleventh state to ratify the Constitution, New York was originally a Dutch colony. Large portions of western New York remained uncolonized until the 1770s, when escaped slaves began moving through on their way to Canada. New York City, the largest city in the United States, serves as a bustling hub of commerce and culture, and has been home to many important African American movements.
Newton, Huey
Revolutionary and co-founder of the Black Panther Party in 1966, Huey Newton was born in 1942 in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1967, Newton was charged with killing a police officer in Oakland, California. Following the overturning of his conviction in 1968, Newton later escaped less serious charges and fled to Cuba in 1973. After returning in 1977, Newton earned a Ph.D. in 1980. He was shot and killed in 1989.
Nigeria
Officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this West African country is located on the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria is home to more than 250 ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo peoples. Colonized by European traders in the 17th and 18th centuries, Nigeria was eventually claimed by the British, who consolidated the northern and southern sections into one colony in 1914. Since attaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has had several military and civilian governments. Lagos, the largest city was replaced by Abuja as the nation's capital December 12, 1991.
Nixon, Richard
The 37th President of the United States. Nixon served from 1969 until his resignation in 1974. His presidency saw the end of the Vietnam war and an easing of Cold War tensions.
North Carolina
The twelfth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, North Carolina seceded from the Union on May 20, 1861. The state contributed more men and materials to the Civil War than any other in the Confederacy, and as a result was devestated by losses. In 1960, the sit-in movement was launched in Greensboro, North Carolina, and a few months later SNCC was formed at Shaw University.
Northern Migration
A massive migration of African Americans from the rural South, to the urban North. At the beginning of this period, just after Reconstruction, 92\% of blacks lived in the southern half of the country. By the time the Northern Migration ended in 1970s, only a slight majority of the nation's African Americans resided in the South. During this period of relocation, one of the most popular northern destinations was the City of Chicago. From 1920 to 1930 Chicago more than doubled its African American population, growing from 109,458 to 233,903.
N'Digo
An African American weekly publication, based in Chicago and founded by Hermene Hartman. Described as a ‘magapaper,' N'Digo provides coverage of issues of particular relevance to Chicago's African American community. From an initial bi-monthly circulation of 50,000, N'Digo has grown to enjoy a weekly readership of over 500,000.
Back to Top
Ohio
Joining the United States as the seventeenth state in 1803. During the protests of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War era, Ohio was the scene of many sit-ins and protests. In 1970, one of the most tragic events of the period occured when National Guard troops opened fire on protesters at Kent State University and four students were killed.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. African Americans came to the Oklahoma territories as cowboys and farmers, by the time statehood was granted, they outnumbered Native Americans and first- and second-generation Europeans in the territory. There were more all-black towns in Oklahoma than in the rest of the country put together.
Opera
A musical genre featuring vocalists and an orchestra, an opera dramatizes a story or a libretto. As a drama set to music, it often uses themes from history or mythology. As a lyric form, often replete with lavish costumes and elaborate scenery, it consists of choruses, arias, duets and spoken recitation.
Operation Breadbasket
An organization dedicated to improving economic conditions in the black community, Operation Breadbasket distributed food and nourishment in underserved communities in 12 American cities. The Rev. Willie Barrow, along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, founded the organization in the 1962, and Jackson became national chairman of the organization in 1967. Jackson would later develop Operation P.U.S.H (People United to Serve Humanity) based on the model of Breadbasket.
Operation PUSH
In an effort to strengthen economic security for African Americans, social activist Jesse Jackson founded Operation 0">People United to Save Humanity (PUSH). The organization employed consumer boycotts and other strategies popularized during the Civil Rights Movement to press for minority employment and encourage the patronage of black-owned businesses. Operation PUSH has since expanded its focus to include issues important in the African American community, including education, AIDS and violence.
Owens, Jesse
Born James Cleveland Owens in 1913, Jesse Owens would go on to become one of the greatest stars of track and field the world has ever seen. In 1935, he set three world records and tied a fourth, and the following year, he became the first person in Olympic history to win four gold medals in track and field. Despite these phenomenal achievements, due to the color of his skin he was often subjected to racism, and he was not offered endorsement deals, leaving him to race against people, animals and sometimes motorcycles to make money. Later, he became a well repsected public speaker and formed his own public relations firm. He passed away in 1980. Following his death, his widow Ruth and daughter Marlene Owens Rankin formed the Jesse Owens Foundation, and daughter Gloria Owens Hemphill is involved as well.
Home