December 24

Alphonso Michael Espy

1992- Alphonso Michael Espy became the first African American to hold the position of Secretary of Agriculture for the U.S.

December 25

Jesse Jackson

1971- Reverend Jesse Jackson organizes Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity). The organization pursued social justice, civil rights and political activism.

December 26

Dr. M. Karenga

1966- Dr. Maulana Karenga created the first Pan-African holiday Kwanzaa. The African inspired holiday’s name is derived from the Swahili first fruit celebration “matunda ya kwanza”.

December 27

John Amos

1939- “Good Times” actor John Amos was born in Newark, New Jersey.

December 28

Denzel Washington

1954- Actor Denzel Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York.

December 29

Tom Bradley

1917- Thomas Bradley was born in Calvert, Texas. He went on to become the first African American mayor of Los Angeles.