Fashion designer1991"> Daymond John founds his clothing label, FUBU, in his mother's basement in Queens, New York.

John Singleton becomes the first African American director to be nominated for an Academy Award for best direction for his film, Boyz N the Hood.

Reverend Benjamin Hooks announces that he will retire from the executive directorship of the1991"> NAACP the following year. When he steps down, he will have led the organization for sixteen years.

Terry McMillan publishes1991"> Waiting to Exhale. The book will spend months on the New York Times bestseller lists and sell over 4 million copies, as well as serve as the basis for a feature film.

Outrage over the acquittal of the four Los Angeles police officers charged in the beating of black motorist Rodney King, precipitates into the worst riot in U.S. history. Fifty-eight deaths are recorded, billions of dollars of property are destroyed and more than one thousand looters are arrested. The Los Angeles Police are widely criticized for not acting quickly enough to control the riot.

United Bank of Philadelphia was declared a success on this date. It is Philadelphia's first Black bank.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee becomes the first woman to repeat as Olympic heptathalon champion at the Barcelona Olympiad.

Four L.A. police officers were indicated by a federal grand jury on this date for violating Rodney King's civil rights by using excessive force while arresting him.

Dr. David Satcher is named Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on this date in1991"> Atlanta, Georgia. Satcher became the U.S. Surgeon General in 1998 and served in that position for four years.

Mae Jemison becomes the first African American woman to go into space.

Toronto Bluejays manager Cito Gaston became the first African American to manage in the World Series on this date when his team took on the1991"> Atlanta Braves. He also became the first African American manager to win the World Series. His team repeated as champions in 1993 by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies.

Carol Moseley Braun of1991"> Illinois becomes the first African American woman elected to the United States Senate.

Spike Lee brings the life of former Nation of Islam spokesperson and leader1991"> Malcolm X, played by Denzel Washington, to the big screen in this sprawling epic biographical drama. During production, the film runs over budget and is saved by a collective comprised of Bill Cosby, Janet Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Prince, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Peggy Cooper Cafritz.