Did you know Kenneth Gibson was the 36th mayor of New Jersey? That would make him the first black mayor of a major city. From 1970-1986 he served four consecutive terms.
Black History 365 | # 3 - Aretha Franklin
Did you know that in 1987 Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame? An icon deserving of more than a ~little~ R-E-S-P-E-C-T I would say.
Black History 365 | # 21 - Robert L. Johnson
Did you know the first black billionaire in America was Robert Johnson? The founder of BET? He became one when he sold the network to Viacom in 2000. When he got divorced from his wife Sheila Johnson in 2002, the settlement cut into his fortune. But he’s still ballin. 🤷🏾♂️
Black History 365 | # 8 - Garrett Morgan
Have you heard about the inventor Garrett Morgan? He developed a chemical hair-processing and straightening solution. He invented a protective “smoke hood” notably used in a 1916 tunnel construction disaster rescue. And he invented the three-way traffic light in 1923, it was important because it had a third cautionary signal between stop and go. Morgan sold his traffic light to General Electric Company for $40,000.
Black History 365 | # 19 - Elijah McCoy
The next time you want the actual item and not an imitation, be sure to ask for “the Real McCoy,” which is an attribution to this engineer, Elijah McCoy. To improve the efficiency of systems of lubricating moving parts on a steam locomotive, McCoy developed a lubricating cup that automatically and evenly distributed oil over the locomotive’s moving parts while in motion. McCoy’s “Improvement in Lubricators for Steam-Engines” was patented in 1872. While other inventors put forth similar devices, “the real McCoy” was the one the railroaders asked for by name.