Augusta Savage was a visionary sculptor and a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance. As the first African-American woman to open her own art gallery in the U.S., she used her art to shape history and pave the way for future generations.
Need to Know:
Augusta Savage was born Augusta Christine Fells in Green Cove Springs, Florida, in 1892.
Despite facing poverty, racism, and sexism, she became a prominent sculptor and an influential teacher.
Savage was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a period of significant African-American cultural output in New York City during the 1920s and ’30s.
She studied at Cooper Union in New York and later in Paris thanks to the Julius Rosenwald Fund.
Her notable works include busts of W.E.B. DuBois and Marcus Garvey, and “The Harp,” a large sculpture created for the 1939 World’s Fair.
She founded the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts and directed the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project in New York.
Key Takeaways:
Savage’s talent was evident from a young age, sculpting small objects from red clay she found in her neighborhood.
She faced significant obstacles, including her father’s initial disapproval of her art and racial discrimination that prevented her from studying in France.
Savage’s determination and resilience allowed her to overcome these challenges and pursue her passion for art.
Her work often focused on depicting black leaders and individuals, celebrating African-American culture and history.
Implications for American Culture and Society:
Augusta Savage’s life and work have had a lasting impact on American culture and society.
She played a crucial role in the Harlem Renaissance, a movement that celebrated black artistic expression and challenged racial stereotypes.
Savage’s art helped to elevate the status of African-American artists and brought greater visibility to black culture.
Her work as a teacher and director of the Federal Art Project provided opportunities for many black artists during the Great Depression.
Lessons from Savage’s Life:
Augusta Savage’s life offers several valuable lessons:
Perseverance: Despite facing numerous obstacles, Savage never gave up on her passion for art. Her determination is an inspiration to us all.
Resilience: Savage bounced back from personal setbacks and discrimination, demonstrating incredible strength and resilience.
Importance of Education: Savage valued education and used her skills to teach others, empowering a new generation of black artists.
Cultural Pride: Savage celebrated her African-American heritage through her art, promoting cultural pride and challenging racial inequality.
Augusta Savage’s legacy lives on through her art, her influence on the Harlem Renaissance, and the institutions that bear her name. Her story reminds us of the power of art to shape history and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Sam Cooke’s story is a fascinating and ultimately tragic tale of a musical genius caught between worlds. He was a gospel prodigy who became a pop idol, a Black artist striving for mainstream success while grappling with the realities of racism in 20th-century America. His life and career offer valuable insights into American music, the Civil Rights Movement, and social justice.
Need to Know:
Gospel Roots: Cooke began his career as a gospel singer, achieving fame with The Soul Stirrers. His powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence made him a star in the gospel world.
Pop Crossover: Cooke successfully crossed over into pop music with hits like “You Send Me.” He aimed to reach a wider audience, including white listeners.
Business Acumen: Cooke was a savvy businessman who founded his own record label, SAR Records, and publishing company. He sought control over his career and finances.
Civil Rights Involvement: Cooke became increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement, speaking out against segregation and racial injustice. His song “A Change Is Gonna Come” became an anthem of the movement.
Tragic Death: Cooke’s life was cut short in 1964 when he was shot and killed at a motel in Los Angeles. The circumstances surrounding his death remain controversial.
Key Takeaways:
Musical Innovation: Cooke’s unique vocal style, blending gospel fervor with pop sensibilities, paved the way for soul music. He influenced countless artists who followed.
Navigating Two Worlds: Cooke’s career highlights the challenges faced by Black artists seeking mainstream success in a racially segregated society. He had to balance his desire for popularity with his identity and values.
The Power of Music: Cooke’s music transcended entertainment. Songs like “A Change Is Gonna Come” became powerful tools for social change, giving voice to the struggles and aspirations of Black Americans.
Business and Control: Cooke’s efforts to own his work and control his career demonstrate the importance of Black economic empowerment and self-determination.
Unanswered Questions: The mystery surrounding Cooke’s death serves as a reminder of the racial tensions and injustices that permeated American society in the 1960s.
Some controversies surrounding Sam Cooke’s death include:
Conflicting Accounts: There are differing versions of the events that led to his death, particularly regarding his behavior at the Hacienda Motel and the actions of Bertha Franklin.
Questions About the Shooting: The circumstances of the shooting itself, including whether it was justified and the nature of the altercation, have been subjects of debate.
Racial Tensions: The context of racial tensions and injustices in America during that time adds another layer of complexity and suspicion to the events surrounding his death.
Mafia Involvement: Some believe that Cooke was the victim of a Mafia hit, and that Bertha Franklin was paid to take the blame.
Business Dealings: Allegations of mismanagement and disputes over royalties and control of Cooke’s recordings and publishing have also fueled speculation and controversy.
Implications:
American Music: Sam Cooke’s impact on American music is undeniable. He is a pivotal figure in the development of soul music and influenced generations of singers. His ability to seamlessly blend gospel, R&B, and pop elements created a sound that resonated with a broad audience.
Civil Rights Movement: Cooke’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and the powerful message of “A Change Is Gonna Come” made him more than just an entertainer. He became a voice for social justice, using his platform to raise awareness and inspire change.
Social Justice in America: Cooke’s life and death reflect the broader context of racial inequality and injustice in America. His struggles and triumphs highlight the challenges faced by Black individuals in a society grappling with segregation and discrimination. His legacy continues to inspire conversations about race, equality, and social change.
Sam Cooke’s story is a complex and compelling one. He was a musical innovator, a shrewd businessman, and a courageous voice for social justice. His life, though tragically short, left an indelible mark on American music and the ongoing struggle for equality.
Mohandas Gandhi’s Impact and Legacy: Beyond Nonviolence
Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent figure in India’s struggle for independence, is celebrated for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. While his contributions to India’s freedom are undeniable, it’s crucial to acknowledge the complexities of his legacy, including his problematic views on race and social hierarchy.
Mahatma Gandhi’s racist legacy in Africa and his actions in India that favored elites is also worth noting. While Gandhi is celebrated for fighting for India’s freedom, his attitude towards Black South Africans was racist. He campaigned for Indians to be treated better than Black South Africans, whom he called “savages.” Additionally, some argue that Gandhi’s mobilization of the masses into the Congress Party favored conservatives and prevented a genuine social revolution to uplift the lowest castes and the poor. All leaders should be held accountable for their conduct and words, and Gandhi’s negative actions are not an exception.
Need to Know
Gandhi’s influence extended far beyond India, significantly impacting the American civil rights movement and the broader pursuit of social justice. His teachings of Satyagraha (truth-force) and nonviolent direct
action resonated with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and James Farmer, who adopted these principles in their fight against racial segregation and discrimination.
Take-Aways
Nonviolence as a Powerful Tool: Gandhi’s philosophy demonstrated that nonviolent resistance could be a potent force for social change.
Civil Rights Movement: Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. drew inspiration from Gandhi’s tactics, employing boycotts, sit-ins, and peaceful protests to dismantle segregation.
Broader Social Movements: Gandhi’s ideas continue to influence various social justice movements, advocating for change through peaceful means.
Impact on American Culture and Society
Gandhi’s legacy is woven into the fabric of American culture and society. His philosophy played a pivotal role in shaping the civil rights movement, leading to significant legal and social advancements for African Americans. Beyond the realm of racial justice, Gandhi’s teachings continue to inspire those striving for a more just and equitable society. His emphasis on peaceful protest and the power of truth remains a guiding light for activists and reformers.
While Gandhi’s legacy is not without its flaws, his profound impact on the American civil rights movement and his enduring influence on social justice movements highlight the transformative power of nonviolence. His teachings serve as a reminder that even in the face of injustice and oppression, peaceful resistance can create lasting change.
William Madison McDonald was an influential Texas politician, businessman, and banker. He was elected to the Republican Party of Texas’s state executive committee in 1892 and became permanent state chairman in 1898. He was also a leader of two Black fraternal organizations, serving as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Prince Hall, for 50 years. In 1906, he founded Fort Worth’s first African American-owned bank, which survived the Great Depression. He made loans to Black businessmen and became the first Black millionaire in Texas.
Need to Know:
William Madison McDonald, born in 1866, is widely believed to be the first Black millionaire in Texas.
The son of a freed slave, McDonald was a successful banker, businessman, and influential political figure in Fort Worth.
He founded the Fraternal Bank and Trust, the first Black-owned bank in Texas, which played a crucial role in supporting the Black business community.
McDonald was a prominent figure in the Republican Party and advocated for Black self-reliance and economic empowerment.
Takeaways:
McDonald’s story highlights the achievements of Black entrepreneurs and community leaders during segregation.
His success in business and politics challenged racial barriers and paved the way for others.
The Fraternal Bank and Trust played a vital role in providing access to capital for Black businesses, fostering economic growth and self-sufficiency within the community.
McDonald’s advocacy for Black self-reliance and institution-building remains a relevant message today.
Impact on American Culture and Society
McDonald’s accomplishments serve as an inspiration and a reminder of the contributions of African Americans to American society, despite facing discrimination and segregation.
His story challenges the prevailing narratives about Black history and highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of Black communities.
The Fraternal Bank and Trust’s role in supporting Black businesses demonstrates the importance of financial institutions in promoting economic empowerment and social mobility.
McDonald’s political influence and advocacy for Black self-reliance contributed to the ongoing struggle for racial equality and civil rights in America.
William Madison McDonald (June 22, 1866 – July 5, 1950), nicknamed “Gooseneck Bill”, was an American politician, businessman, and banker of great influence in Texas during the late nineteenth century.
Lessons to Learn
McDonald’s life teaches us the importance of education, hard work, and perseverance in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
His story emphasizes the value of community and the role of strong institutions in supporting economic development and social progress.
McDonald’s advocacy for Black self-reliance and institution-building underscores the importance of self-determination and collective action in addressing social and economic disparities.
The fading legacy of McDonald and his contributions reminds us of the importance of preserving and celebrating Black history and its impact on American society.
William McDonald’s story is not just a historical footnote; it is a powerful testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and determination of African Americans in the face of adversity. By recognizing and honoring his legacy, we can inspire future generations and continue the work towards a more just and equitable society.
The 2024 Prince George’s County Spelling Bee is presented by The Washington Informer. Watch the top spellers in the county compete for a chance to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee!
National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual spelling bee held in the United States. It is open to students in grades 1-8 who have won their local and regional spelling bees.
The bee is held in Washington, D.C., and the winner receives a trophy, a cash prize, and a trip to New York City.
History
The National Spelling Bee was first held in 1925. It was created by Frank Neuhauser, a journalist for the Louisville Courier-Journal. Neuhauser was inspired to create the bee after he saw a spelling bee at a local school.
The bee was originally called the National Spelling Contest. It was renamed the National Spelling Bee in 1941.
Format
The National Spelling Bee is a single-elimination tournament. The competition begins with a preliminary round, in which the spellers are given a list of words to spell. The spellers who spell all of the words correctly advance to the next round.
The final round of the bee is held on stage at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The spellers are given a list of words to spell, and they are eliminated one by one until only one speller remains.
Winners
The winner of the National Spelling Bee receives the Scripps Cup, a trophy that is named after the Scripps family, which has sponsored the bee since 1925. The winner also receives a cash prize of $50,000 and a trip to New York City.
Some of the most famous winners of the National Spelling Bee include:
Frank Neuhauser (1925)
Jacques Bailly (1980)
Rebecca Sealfon (1997)
Nupur Lala (2015)
Zaila Avant-garde (2021)
Impact
The National Spelling Bee has had a significant impact on American culture. The bee has helped to promote literacy and spelling in the United States. It has also helped to create a sense of community among spellers and their families.
Harvard African American scholars take stock of a difficult moment.
by Lydialyle Gibson
During A searching discussion Thursday evening at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) on the “State of Black America,” historian Khalil Gibran Muhammad opened with a trenchant warning: “We are facing uncharted waters.”
Surveying the rise of Trumpism and the past several years of proliferating book bans, rollbacks of voting rights, attacks on diversity, and laws curtailing our prohibiting the teaching of black history, he added, “It looks like we have the underpinnings of textbook fascism—not make-believe, not excessive rhetoric. If these things were happening in other countries, particularly in liberal democracies, or let alone in the Global South, the U.S. State Department would be issuing warnings about the status of those societies.”
Muhammad, the Ford Foundation professor of history, race, and public policy, was joined on stage by three HKS colleagues, including co-panelists Cornell Brooks, the Hauser professor of the practice of nonprofit organizations and professor of the practice of public leadership and social justice; and Sandra Susan Smith, the Guggenheim professor of criminal justice. The evening was moderated by Setti Warren, director of the Institute of Politics and adjunct lecturer in public policy.
The event came a little more than two months after U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx (R, North Carolina) targeted Muhammad and one of his courses by name on the House floor. During the now-infamous Congressional hearing into campus antisemitism where lawmakers interrogated former President Claudine Gay and two other college presidents, Foxx decried Muhammad’s class, “Race and Racism in the Making of the United States as a Global Power,” as a “prime example” of the “race-based ideology” that made Harvard “ground zero for antisemitism.”
Muhammad’s course, required for first-year MPP students, explores how race and racism have influenced American public policy and contributed to the nation’s rise to global dominance. Last fall, 207 students were enrolled. On Thursday evening, Muhammad sought to put Foxx’s accusation in the broader context of recent and longstanding political attacks on education, and he argued that those attacks endanger American democracy. “These people have no idea what happens in [my] class,” he said. “Zero evidence. So, I find it incredibly important for you, the audience and the listeners, to take seriously what that means, to take seriously that we have political leaders in this country who can pick out of thin air classes being taught anywhere in this country and accuse the people who teach those classes of being responsible for antisemitism.” The goal, he added, is to silence voters, activists, and educators. “Self-censorship and fear are the oxygen that allow this illiberal movement to win,” he said.
Muhammad also had criticism for Harvard. In response to an audience question from a College student about feeling uneasy as a black person on campus in the current political climate, Muhammad said he felt uneasy too: “I’m still waiting on this University to say something about protecting its faculty against such attacks,” like the one he experienced, which he described as “unwarranted, unjustified, and a flat-out lie.” He also called on Harvard’s leadership to “dispel the myths” articulated by conservative activists and politicians who accuse the University’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies of generating antisemitism. “Faculty can’t be their full selves for students if they themselves feel unsupported or unprotected,” Muhammad said.
In a statement about Muhammad’s course, emailed to Harvard Magazine by the University’s Office of Public Affairs and Communications, HKS Dean Douglas Elmendorf said: “Requiring this course for Master in Public Policy students at the Kennedy School recognizes the important role that race has played in public policy over time. This course makes a vital contribution to the learning of our students who will become policymakers and public leaders.”
THE REST OF the evening’s discussion was by turns sorrowful, frustrated, and defiant. Warren noted the long history of African American leadership in the pro-democracy movements to expand rights in the United States and wondered about its meaning in the context of the current moment. In response to a question comparing today’s political anger and polarization to the backlash against Reconstruction in the 1870s, Brooks offered the metaphor of the canary in the coal mine. “When we talk about the state of black America,” he said, “we’re really talking about the state of America, and the state of this democracy. Which is to say, when black people’s lives are in peril, when black people’s access to the ballot box is in peril, so is the country’s.” The same laws that make it harder for black people to vote also make it harder for other groups of citizens: young people, the disabled, the elderly. He continued, “And we see in our democracy all the time, over and over again, that the harms perpetuated against black people are not just illustrative—they are predictive.”
Smith spoke of the difficulty of achieving, and sustaining, concrete gains for racial equality amid the reflexive undertow of American culture. Too often, she said, activists try to effect change with ambitious policies, but “fail to grapple with the cultures that lie underneath.” Americans’ short-sightedness—and short memories when it comes to racism—also make it hard, she said, to give policy reforms the longevity they need to work. “When you’re trying to achieve racial equity, you have to take into consideration a history of race and racism. But we live in a culture of denial. How do you achieve equity, if you’re denying the fact of or erasing a history of poor treatment, and you’re not addressing it?”
At one point, Warren broached the idea that racial progress has been overstated, given the dramatic setbacks in recent years. Smith agreed, arguing that mass incarceration skewed people’s perceptions by removing a huge fraction of the African American population from view. Incarcerated people aren’t counted in statistics on employment, wages, graduation rates, and other categories of societal engagement. As a result, she said, “[W]e like to lift up how much progress we have made…but much of it has been a mirage, because we have essentially warehoused a significant percentage of people on the low end.” Smith and Muhammad both pointed to racial gaps that have persisted, and in some cases widened, during the decades since the civil rights movement: black women die in childbirth at higher rates than prevailed 20 years ago—and at more than double the rate for white women; black Americans’ homeownership rate is 30 percentage points lower than whites’—three percentage points worse than in 1960.
Asked about the “bright spots” they see, Smith pointed to examples of “communities of color taking control of their situation and creating solutions for themselves”: black women opening birthing centers to give each other better maternal care; community bail funds to get people out of jail; court watchers who monitor legal proceedings. Brooks pointed to a 60 percent drop in incarceration rates among juveniles (though racial disparities remain): “What we failed to do with respect to adults”—2 million of whom are behind bars—“we have managed to do in many places for young people.” He also noted the pushback among activists and grassroots organizers against voter suppression. “I think that speaks to our ability to be optimistic,” he said. “It’s not the inevitability of this democracy writ large. We’re confident in ourselves and our ability to affect change, which I think is absolutely necessary to a school that calls itself a school of public policy and leadership. We’ve got to be hopeful with respect to ourselves.”
From left: Setti Warren, Cornell Brooks, Sandra Susan Smith, Khalil Gibran Muhammad | SCREENSHOT BY HARVARD MAGAZINE
Frazier Baker, the first African American to be elected as U.S. postmaster for Lake City, South Carolina, was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. He was born in 1908 in Lake City and attended segregated schools. After graduating from high school, he worked as a farmer and a teacher.
In 1946, Baker was elected as the president of the Lake City branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He also served as the president of the South Carolina NAACP from 1951 to 1955.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Baker was a leading figure in the fight for voting rights for African Americans. He was arrested several times for his activism, but he never gave up.
In 1966, Baker was elected as the U.S. postmaster for Lake City. He was the first African American to hold this position. Baker served as postmaster until his retirement in 1972.
Baker was a dedicated civil rights activist and a respected community leader. And although he left a lasting legacy of fighting for justice and equality in America, he was dealt the cruelty of racism and hate by a white mob.
On February 22, 1898, a white mob lynched Dr. Frazier Baker along with his infant daughter, Julia. The mob also injured Baker’s wife, Lavinia, and two of their remaining children. Lavinia and the five surviving children managed to flee.
Read a detailed report on Frazier Baker by Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), HERE.
A dormant 176-year-old building in downtown Manhattan played a role in New York’s little-known Draft Riots, which prompted Irish immigrants — angered over being drafted into the Civil War — to take their frustration out on Black people. The Irishmen gathered at the doors of Colored School No. 4, then a refuge for Black children who were taught by educators with ties to abolitionist, suffragist, religious and cultural movements.
Pulitzer winner E.R. Shipp wrote for NABJ Black News & Views about historian Erik K. Washington and his quest to win landmark status for the school. Read Shipp’s full report HERE.
DEWITT, N.Y. — Bishop Dr. H. Bernard Alex, the Town of DeWitt’s first black town councilor, is continuing to bring firsts to his community.
In a town board meeting on Monday, Feb. 12, Alex introduced a resolution for the town to recognize February as Black History Month. Alex says it is a step in recognizing the contributions African Americans have made in the town and the whole country.
“It is important because I am here, because of all of those forgotten, all of those invisible, men and women who sacrificed and gave up so much.”
Alex was elected to the board in the November 2023 Election. Before that, he helped serve on the DeWitt Police Commission for several years. Alex hopes his role in the community can inspire others.
“I sincerely hope that others will say, ‘If he can, so can I,’ and that they will get involved in local politics, the greatest service you can give is serving the people closest to you,” said Alex.
Bishop Alex is a senior pastor and teacher at Victory Temple Fellowship Church, “A Missionary Baptist Church” in Syracuse.
“We have been positioned in a very wonderful time in history that we can expand our reach and make a difference in the life and lives of those in DeWitt and hoping for those to come.”
Robert Rice was a Dayton school teacher for more than 40 years and was considered an expert on Black history in the area.
A cousin of famed poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, Rice traced his family lineage to a woman bought out of slavery by the Steele family, whose name was on the former Steele High School, in 1839. His father, Lucius Rice, was the city’s second Black police officer. His mother, Dora Rice, was the city’s first female Black police force member.
Rice’s grandfather, Richard Burton, was a Civil War veteran who escaped slavery to join the Union Army in Tennessee before coming to Dayton and opening up the city’s first Black laundry.
After graduating from Stivers High School, Rice attended Fisk and Wilberforce universities.
He returned to Dayton in 1936 and became a teacher at Dunbar High School, the only school that allowed for Black teachers at the time. He stayed there for 35 years.
In 1973, the city asked Black teachers to volunteer for reassignment in order to break down segregated teaching staffs. Rice volunteered and went to Meadowdale. A year later he retired from the Dayton school system and began teaching at Chaminade Julienne “to keep busy.”
Rice spent a lifetime collecting written and oral Black history from the area. A 1974 Dayton Daily News article called Rice a “talking history book.”
Over the years, Rice was interviewed and wrote columns for the Dayton Daily News many times. Here are some of the facts and stories he shared with us.
First Black residents arrive in Dayton
According to Rice, the first Black residents came to Dayton between 1796 and 1798, a year or two after white settlers arrived.
Several thousand people are believed to have made their way into Ohio as squatters prior to the official settlement of the region in the 1790s and there were Black residents — probably escaped slaves — among them.
The name of the very first Black resident is lost to history, but he is described as a servant of the family of Daniel Cooper, proprietor of the town.
In 1803, Cooper brought a second Black person, a girl who worked as a servant, to a farm south of the town. Shortly after arriving, she gave birth to the first Black child here and named him Harry Cooper, taking her employer’s family name.
The earliest Black settlement was downtown and on the East Side, in an area called Seely’s Ditch.
When the village officially became a city in 1841, there were about 400 Black residents out of a total population of 5,000.
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Rice liked to set the record straight on Black history in the city. One common error he cited was the belief that famed poet Paul Laurence Dunbar went to Steele High School. He graduated from Central High School in 1891. Steele High School didn’t open until 1894. When Central closed, all of the records were transferred to Steele, and that is how the error occurred, he explained.
Rice said that “when Paul Laurence Dunbar finished high school he couldn’t get a decent job so he became an elevator operator in the Callahan Building, which later became the Gem City building, making $4 a week.”
Black ‘firsts’ in Dayton
Rice uncovered many milestones through the years.
One of the first marriages of Black people was that of Joe Wheeler and Catherine Sills. They made their home on McLain Street As of 1976, one of their descendants still lived in Dayton.
The town’s first Black church, Wayman African Methodist Episcopal, began meeting in a log cabin on the corner of McLain and Potomac Streets in East Dayton. The congregation later moved to Eaker Street and later to Fifth and Bank Streets in West Dayton. Finally, in the 1920s, they moved to Westwood.
Dayton’s first Black-owned bank, Unity State Bank, opened in 1970.
The city’s first Black doctor had the last name of Burns. His office was located on 5th and Perry Streets, and he was the man that told Paul Laurence Dunbar that he had tuberculosis.
The first Black druggist in the city was LeRoy Cox. The drugstore he owned opened sometime during 1911 or 1912. It was located on Fifth and Charter streets. The drugstore had just opened for business when the Great Flood of 1913 ravaged the region. Cox went to work at the post office carrying mail until 1919, when he reopened for business.
Theaters and restaurants
Up until the early 1920s, Black residents could attend any theater or restaurant in Dayton.
Segregation of public facilities started when the Keith Theatre opened its new building at Fourth and Ludlow streets in 1923, and Black residents were barred from almost all downtown theaters, restaurants and other places. Three restaurants, at Union Station, the bus station and Mose Moore’s on Sixth Street were the only ones still open to Black residents.
Theater segregation remained until 1941, when a group of Black businessmen and clergy fought for an end to the policy. In 1951, similar pressure was applied the the restaurant industry, ending segregation there as well.
In 1926, Black businessmen Carl Anderson and Augustus Giles built the Classic Theater at 817 W. Third St. The Classic Theater opened the next year, in 1927. Rice said silent movies were the first productions at the theater. Entertainers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Bassie, Billy Eckstine and the Mills Brothers performed there.
The Palace Theater on the corner of Fifth and Williams streets was founded in 1929 by Dr. Lloyd Cox (who was Black) and Valentine Winters. In 1933, the theater was converted to a nightclub.
Politics
The first Black person elected to office in the Dayton area was Frederick Bowers, a Jefferson Twp. real estate broker who was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives as a Republican in 1949 and again in 1951.
David Albritton, a former Golden Gloves boxer and Olympic athlete, won election to the Ohio House from the same district a short time later. C.J. McLin Jr. was elected to the state legislature in 1967 and served until 1988.
Important homes and places
At 205 Dunbar Ave., the first Black-owned taxicab company, West Side Taxi Co., was started by Jack Spicer.
The Mallory Building, at the corner of Fifth Street and Horace Avenue, was once the home of Robert Mallory, a captain in the Army during World War I. The Queen Anne-style home was built by Black contractors.
A home at 59 Horace Ave. was owned by Mose Moore, who was once the wealthiest Black person in Dayton before the turn of the century. Moore owned a combined restaurant, pool room, hotel and barbershop in downtown Dayton. He died in 1927.
A home on Shannon Street is where Hallie Q. Brown once lived. In the early 1900s, Brown founded the first school for Black adults in Dayton. She later was a professor at Wilberforce University. She died in 1930.
