1841-Grafton Tyler Brown was born on this date. He was an African-American lithographer and painter. Brown is considered the first Black professional artist in California.
1866- The birth of John Frank Wheaton is celebrated on this date in 1866. He was an African-American politician who became the first black man elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1898 from a predominantly immigrant district. He was a supporter of civil rights and lobbied for the commissioning of Black officers during the Spanish American War.
1888- Horace Pippin was born on this date in 1888. He was an American folk painter known for his primitivist depictions of Black American life and on the horrors of war.
1933- Ishmael Reed was born. He is an African-American writer. As of 1995, Reed had published nine novels, five books of poems, and four collections of essays; he also had authored four plays, three television productions, and two librettos, and edited four anthologies. His publishing and editing enterprises have included Reed, Cannon and Johnson Publications, I. Reed Books, and the journals Yardbird Reader Y’Bird, Quilt, and Konch.
1950-Julius Irving aka Dr. J is born. He was inducted into the NBA hall of fame in 1993 and he is still revered as one of the greatest basketball players ever.
1988- Today is the celebration of the first rap Grammy award. It was given to DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey Townes) and the Fresh Prince (Willard Smith) for the hit single “Parents Just Don't Understand.” Almost 12 years later, there is STILL no need to argue because parents STILL don’t understand (hi mom & dad).
Sidenote: The US is currently leading the Winter Olympics with 24 medals. Go team USA!
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