Legislatively Speaking By Senator Lena C. Taylor Anyone that knows me has heard me utter the name Ezekiel Gillespie. You can’t talk about the history of voting rights in Wisconsin and not discuss this African American legend. Gillespie was born into slavery in 1818, in Canton, Mississippi. At some point, he purchased his freedom from […]
EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED, THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE MADISON TIMES
Volkswagen Microbus with Civil Rights Background Heads to Washington
Esau Jenkins, an early civil rights pioneer in South Carolina, used this VW as his iconic daily drive during his efforts to provide opportunities, and hope to marginalized communities throughout the American south. In Esau’s and Janie B. Jenkins’ lifetimes, they purchased buses to transport children to school and workers to jobs, taught adult passengers […]
EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED, THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE MADISON TIMES
Henrietta Lacks: A Black History Legacy of Giving
By Jeri Lacks You’ve seen the iconic photo of beautiful Henrietta with her hands on her hips, a broad smile and eyes that seem to say “LOVE.” Henrietta Lacks is a name now known and revered, for hers is a life that keeps on giving. In this month of Black History and Valentine’s Day, Henrietta’s […]
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY: Black History in Science: Remembering Dr. George Carruthers
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia He built his first telescope at the age of 10, and at age 25, George Carruthers earned a Ph.D. in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, Dr. Carruthers started work at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. His telescope and image […]
Author, Pascal Archmiede, Uses Rap To Tell Black Americans’ Evolution
By Nyesha Stone Let’s be honest, America was built on the back of Black people. Our style and our ideas have helped shape society, but the country and by extension the world have seemingly forgotten to include us in the history of how American came to be. We are more than just slaves, and author, […]
Women’s History Profiles: Influential Women Artists
by Brianna Rae Faith Ringgold Faith Ringgold, world-famous painter, writer, sculptor, and performance artist, was born Faith Willi Jones on October 8, 1930 in Harlem, New York City. Her mother a fashion designer and her father a great storyteller, Ringgold was surrounded by the arts from an early age. She was also born into the […]
Diversity among Doctors Drives Trust in Health Care
By Patricia Maryland NNPA News Wire Guest Columnist Black History Month gives us the opportunity to reflect on the countless examples of the contributions that African-Americans have made to build our country. By celebrating these pioneers who helped shape America, we are inspired to overcome adversity and realize the positive change we, too, are capable […]
Black History Profiles: Katherine Dunham and Misty Copeland
Black Art Has Always Been a Powerful Tool for Social Change by Brianna Rae Katherine Dunham Referred to as ‘The matriarch and queen mother of Black dance,’ Katherine Mary Dunham was an outstandingly talented dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, educator, and social activist. Born in Chicago on June 22, 1909, she was interested in dance and writing […]
Black History Profiles: James Baldwin and Toni Morrison
Black Art Has Always Been a Powerful Tool for Social Change by Jacklin Bolduan James Baldwin James Baldwin was born in Harlem in 1924. He was the grandson of a slave and the oldest of nine children. When he was about three years old, Baldwin’s mother married David Baldwin, who was a Baptist minister. Following […]
Wisconsin’s First African-American Judge, Harold Jackson, Passes at 77
Harold Baron Jackson, Jr. was born December 28, 1939 in Washington, D.C. Julia O. Jackson and Harold Jackson Sr. were prominent members of the Black middle class in Washington D.C. Julia O. had big dreams for their son, coupled with his high IQ; so, instead of sending him to Dunbar High School – known as […]