Prince Onyx 1

32 of the Most Bizarre Deep-Sea Creatures Discovered

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Archaeological excavations at Buto, Tell El Fara'in (Hill of the Pharaohs)

Today In History

Louise Beavers best known for her character actor roles in both silent and sound films was born in Cincinnati, OH on this date March 8, 1902.

She performed in more than 100 films including: “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “Imitation of Life.” She was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1976.

Beavers started her career in the 1920s. At the time, black people in films were limited to acting in only very few roles, usually as slaves or domestic help. She played the “mammy” in many of the movies in which she acted. She started to gain more attention in the acting world after she played the role of Julia in Coquette (1929), which starred Mary Pickford. In this film, she played the black maid and mother figure to a young white woman.

As she became better known, Beavers began to speak against Hollywood’s portrayal and treatment of African Americans, both during production and after promoting the films.

Today In History

The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune became one of the most important Black educators, civil and women’s rights leaders and government officials of the twentieth century. The college she founded set educational standards for today’s Black colleges, and her role as an advisor to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave African Americans an advocate in government.

On this date March 5, 1985 Mary McLeod Bethune was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp. Issued in conjuntion with the 50th anniversary of the National Council of Negro Women, which she founded in 1935 and served as the vice-president of the NAACP for 15 years.

For example: He literally said rape was a “natural instinct” for men.

Today In History

Mary Wilson, was an amazing singer, businesswoman, author, lecturer, actress, and a founding member of The Supremes, the most successful Motown act of the 1960s was born in Greenville, MS, on this date March 6, 1944.

The Supremes is the best-charting female group in U.S. chart history, as well as one of the best-selling girl groups of all-time.

Wilson later became a New York Times best-selling author in 1986 with the release of her first autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme, which set records for sales in its genre, and later for the autobiography Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together.

Continuing a successful career as a concert performer in Las Vegas, Wilson also worked in activism, fighting to pass Truth in Music Advertising bills and donating to various charities. Wilson was inducted along with Ross and Ballard (as members of the Supremes) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Today We Honor Beah Richards

Beulah Elizabeth Richardson, known professionally as Beah Richards, was a strong fiercely political, poet, playwright, actress, author and powerful Black woman.

Richards received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Sidney Poitier’s mother in the 1967 film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, as well as winning two Primetime Emmy Awards for her guest roles in the television series Frank’s Place in 1988 and The Practice in 2000. She also received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the 1965 production of The Amen Corner.