Born March 18, Michael S. Harper was a poet and English professor at Brown University, who was the Poet Laureate of Rhode Island from 1988 to 1993. His poetry was influenced by jazz and history. Some of his notable works:
Below is a biography of Michael S. Harper
Born March 17, Bayard Rustin was a political activist and principal organizer of the March on Washington. Here are a few books by and about Bayard Rustin.
Born March 8, Mel Watkins is an author, critic and a former staff member of the New York Times. He is known for this book, Stepin Fetchit, the Life and Times of Lincoln Perry. He has written a book about comedy, On the Real Side and his memoir, Dancing with Strangers.
Born March 3, Lawrence Dunbar Reddick was an African American historian, professor, and author of the first biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Earlier today, I learned of the passing of Jesse Jackson. Here are a few books that honor his life and legacy.
Born January 24, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg was was an Afro-Puerto Rican historian who moved to the United States and spent his life collecting materials demonstrating the accomplishments of the African diaspora and the scope of Black history.
His book: The Negro: A Selected Bibliography
Biography 1: Diasporic Blackness The Life and Times of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg by Vanessa K. Valdes
Biography 2: Arturo Alfonso Schomburg by Elinor Des Verney Sinnette
Biography 3 (A children’s book): Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Eric Velasquez.
Born January 17, Paul Cuffee, an African/Wampanoag Indian, was a sea captain, a member of the Black Founding Fathers and so much more. A few books have been written about this amazing man.
Book 1: Captain Paul Cuffe, Yeoman
Captain Paul Cuffee, Yeoman
Book 2: The Life and Times of Paul Cuffe
Book 3: Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Paul Cuffe
Born January 13, Sharon Robinson is the daughter of Jackie Robinson. She is also a nurse-midwife, health writer, author, and educator. She has written several books about Jackie Robinson and herself.
Book 1: Her memoir, Child of the Dream
Book 2: Jackie Robinson’s biography, Promises to Keep
Book 3: Jackie’s Nine
John Hope Franklin was born on January 2, 1915. He was an American historian who wrote primarily about American history. His classic and seminal work is:
Book: From Slavery to Freedom
Book: Mirror to America, his autobiography
Born December 30, 1928, guitarist and singer Bo Diddley transitioned from the blues to rock and roll. Two books about him:
Book 1: Bo Diddley: Living Legend
Book 2 (a children’s book): Bo Diddley Rock & Roll All Star
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