The First Woman Pitcher in Negro League to Have DC Street Named After Her
Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, the pioneering woman who made history as the first female pitcher in the Negro League, will be honored with a Washington, D.C. intersection bearing her name. On October 11, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the intersection currently known as “Dave Thomas Circle” will be renamed “Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson Plaza” in tribute to […]
Hana S. Sharif Makes History as First Black Artistic Director for Arena Stage
Arena Stage is making history again with its first Black artistic director! The theater company’s previous artistic director, Molly Smith, retired this summer after spending 25 years at the Washington D.C. theater. Now, Hana S. Sharif is ready to step in, beginning with the 2023 fall season. “Following in the great footsteps of the iconic Zelda Fichandler […]
Historic Black Community of Hogan’s Alley Explored in New ‘Union Street’ Documentary
Black history is being highlighted in some new ways at the Vancouver International Film Festival! This year’s festival included the feature-length documentary, “Union Street,” which documents the history of Hogan’s Alley in Vancouver, Canada. The formerly Black neighborhood was destroyed by the construction of the Georgia viaduct in the 1970s. The doc intersperses interviews with […]
First Black Woman Fire Chief in New England Organizes Firefighters Camp for Girls
In Connecticut, an initiative known as the Girl’s Future Firefighters Camp is equipping young girls with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers as firefighters. The program is led and funded by Chief Shelly Carter, who made history in March when she became the first Black woman fire chief in New England. Chief Carter […]
Dr. Barbara Bryan Becomes First Black Woman President of Broward College
Broward College in Florida is celebrating the news that it will have its first Black woman president in the history of the institution. Education veteran Dr. Barbara Bryan has been named as the college’s new president. Miami Times Online reports that the decision came less than 24 hours after it was announced by the […]
Shaquille O’Neal Makes History by Becoming First President of Reebok Basketball
In a historic move, retired NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal has been appointed as the inaugural president of Reebok’s basketball division. The company made the major announcement on Thursday, reports CBS News. Alongside O’Neal, former NBA star Allen Iverson will join the company in the capacity of vice president of basketball for the brand. According to […]
Serena Williams Makes History as First Athlete to Receive CFDA Fashion Icon Award
Serena Williams is being recognized as a trailblazer in athletic fashion! Williams has always pushed the fashion envelope on the court. From skirts to bespoke tennis outfits and Flo-Jo inspired get ups, she has been just as influential in athleisure as she has been in the game of tennis. That love of fashion led the […]
Paul Quinn College Becomes First HBCU to Host G League Basketball Game
It’s a first for historically Black colleges and universities! The San Antonio Spurs’ G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, are set to make history by participating in the first G League game at an HBCU, Kens 5 News reports. The Spurs will face off against the Texas Legends at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas. […]
California Creates Ebony Alert System to Help Find Missing Black Women and Children
California is taking a step in the right direction when it comes to helping find missing Black women and children. Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill creating the “Ebony Alert,” which is a specialized alert notification system for Black people who have gone missing. The new alert goes into effect on January 1 and […]
Shonda Rhimes to Executive Produce ‘Black Barbie’ Documentary for Netflix
Barbie is back! And this time, the history of the first Black Barbie doll is being told. Shondaland and Netflix have acquired worldwide rights to “Black Barbie,” a documentary about three Black women at Mattel who played a huge role in the first Black Barbie doll being made, Variety reports. The first Black Barbie doll […]