"I pledge to fight hard to rid our ranks of racists and extremists," Gen. Austin pronounced during his confirmation hearings. He also pledged to overturn several discriminatory bans on military service put in place by the previous administration. The confirmation vote cleared by a 93-2 margin – Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) were the lone no-votes. ... read more »

“We are relieved knowing that the same determination Rep. Fudge brought to defending hungry families from cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be brought to tackle one of the biggest looming threats facing Americans during this economic crisis: evictions and housing insecurity,” The CBC offered in a statement. ... read more »

Dinkins was viewed as a compromise candidate during a time of turmoil in New York. Elected a year after the infamous 1989 “Central Park jogger” incident that led to the wrongful convictions of five Black and Hispanic boys, Dinkins proved to be a cautious and stoic figure who was a competent caretaker of the city, including its many fiscal, social and political challenges. Dinkins’ administration followed that of one of New York City’s most storied politicians, Ed Koch. ... read more »

On this day, August 29, 1962, Mal Goode became the first African American news correspondent on television. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. Find out more at ... ... read more »

On this day, August 15, 1860, Henrietta Davis, called by Marcus Garvey, “the greatest woman of the African race,” was born. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, August 12, 2002, Frederick D. Gregory was sworn in as the NASA Deputy Administrator (NASA’s highest position). Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, August 8, 2011, Dr. Charles Herbert “Tiger” Flowers, the first African American flight instructor at Tuskegee Air Force Base, passed away. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, August 7, 1966, Samuel Battle, the first African American NYPD lieutenant, passed away at the age of 83. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, August 4, 2009, W. 135th St. and Lenox Ave. became Samuel J. Battle Plaza in honor of the first Black parole commissioner. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, August 3, 1967, Clifford Alexander Jr. began his first day in office as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, July 30, 1970, journalist Louis Lomax died under mysterious circumstances while investigating Malcolm X’s death. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. Find out more at  ... ... read more »

On this day, July 29, 1794, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, the oldest African American owned church in the U.S., was dedicated. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, July 23, 1891, Dr. Louis Tompkins Wright, the first African American NYPD police surgeon, was born in LaGrange, Georgia. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, July 22, 1950, William Hastie received his commission to serve as Governor of the Virgin Islands as a federal judge. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »

On this day, July 14, 1955, the George Washington Carver National Monument, the first monument for an African American, was dedicated. Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. ... read more »