Written By The Associated Press The first Black woman to join the U.S. Army Nurse Corps after the military was desegregated in the 1940s has died. She was 104. Nancy Leftenant-Colon, who retired as a major and died earlier this month at
By Nicole Chavez Despite knowing they would likely be relegated to support roles due to the color of their skin, a father and son chose to make the military their lifelong career. Determined to succeed, they became America’s first Black generals. In 1940, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. became the first Black person to achieve the rank of brigadier
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Written By Jessica Washington The United States has been officially celebrating Black History Month for nearly fifty years. But how did the celebration come to be? And (to answer the real question on everyone’s minds), why is it the shortest month of the year? Our story begins decades before the official recognition of Black History Month.
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Courtesy of the Education Writers Association Nearly a century since Black History Week was created, and more than 50 years since February was first recognized as Black History Month, many states and school districts are trying to suppress or control what the public learns about the history of Black people in America. At the same time, much
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Courtesy of The United Negro College Fund As the nation observes Black History Month 2024, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is celebrating and acknowledging the fact that Black History Month is every day because Black Lives Matter every day! UNCF is continuing to make history by serving as the largest scholarship provider for students of
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Written By Ron-rin Yu For a man prevented from receiving an education because he was Black, then denied entrance into medical school for what he believes was the same reason, Alexander Thomas Augusta made amazing strides for both education and medicine. Despite being born to free parents in Norfolk, Virginia, Augusta was not permitted to
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By Angela Johnson The late 1950s were a time of racial segregation, discrimination and inequality in America. But in the middle of all that despair, the men’s basketball team at Tennessee A&I University was making history. The Tigers were the first HBCU team to win a national championship and the first college team to secure three
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As we observe Black History Month, we want to focus on the importance of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). With insights from prospective graduate student Talyia Griffin and RDEISE steering committee members Dr. Joseph Graves and Dr. Ivory Toldson, let’s learn more about these eminent institutions. As defined by the Higher Education Act of
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By Candace McDuffie Black History Month is fast approaching. Although here at The Root we celebrate Black excellence 365 days a year, the origins of the historic month should also be acknowledged. For those who are unsure how it began, Black History Month initially began as a 7-day celebration in 1926. That year, the Association for the Study of
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By Leslie D.W. Jones As we move towards 2022 many African-American families are celebrating Kwanzaa, a holiday that has a connection to the continent of Africa, but is distinctly American. The seven principles of Kwanzaa tie directly into the nearly 200 year history and culture of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Day One, December 26:
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Courtesy of Delaware State University Prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester, Delaware State University was already the only institution of higher education in the First State to offer associate, bachelor and master’s degree programs in the social work discipline. “Social Work is the most versatile degree that you can get,” said Dr. Ezekiel
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