The place for the interesting, important, historical, and factual.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have existed in the workplace for more than four decades. While every ERG’s mission and goals differ, they all support and promote diversity and inclusion in their respective organizations. ERGs were started as race-based employee groups that developed due to racial tensions in the 1960s. Xerox is known for having the first ERG, the National Black Employee Caucus, which was initiated in 1970. The group was founded with the support of the CEO of Xerox at the time, Joseph Wilson. He encouraged Black employees to create this initial ERG. (Douglas, 2008). Here at Washington University in St. Louis, we champion Ahmar Ursani, who is the BIPOC Affinity Group Lead at the WashU Center for Career Engagement and a member of our Black History Month Committee.
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), founded in 1925 by A. Philip Randolph, was the first Black labor union recognized by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Representing African American railroad porters facing exploitative conditions with the Pullman Company, the BSCP fought against long hours, low wages, and discrimination. In 1937, the BSCP achieved a landmark victory, negotiating its first collective bargaining agreement with Pullman, a first for a Black union with a major corporation. This agreement improved wages and working conditions and symbolized progress for African Americans. The BSCP’s influence extended beyond labor rights into the Civil Rights Movement, including the 1941 March on Washington Movement, which led to an executive order banning workplace discrimination in defense industries. The BSCP also included a Ladies’ Auxiliary of African American and Chinese American maids, cleaning staff, travel nurses, and manicurists who supported the porters and often faced retaliation for union activity. The union remained active until 1978, leaving a legacy of collective action against injustice and paving the way for future equality movements.
Country Music
Jimmie Rodgers, the “Father of Country Music,” acknowledged the profound impact of blues, the sound of the Black church, and the songs of the chain gangs on his career. His signature “blue yodels” were heavily influenced by the musical stylings of African American artists in the deep south and in Texas. In 1930, Rodgers collaborated with Louis Armstrong, who played trumpet on the hit “Blue Yodel No. 9,” with Armstrong’s wife, Lil, accompanying on piano. Rodgers also co-wrote “TB Blues” with a Black inmate in the Texas State Penitentiary named Raymond Hall, further highlighting the genre’s intertwined roots.
Around this time, DeFord Bailey (December 14, 1899 – July 2, 1982), a Black country and blues musician, became the very first performer on the “Grand Ole Opry” radio show. Bailey’s distinctive “hillbilly” harmonica sound and sound effects made him the most influential harmonica player of his day. He is credited with holding the first recording session in Nashville — a city that had already earned its “Music City” nickname back in 1871 thanks to the Fisk Jubilee Singers. In 2023, the Grand Ole Opry issued a posthumous formal apology for firing Bailey in 1941 without any justification other than his race.
These cross-genre collaborations and contributions helped popularize country music, expanding its reach. However, the foundational contributions of Black musicians are often overlooked. For example, the banjo, an instrument with African origins, shaped the sound of country music. Contemporary artists like Beyoncé, Lil Nas X, Rhiannon Giddens, and Shaboozey continue to highlight the enduring influence of Black culture on the genre. From instrumentation and vocal techniques to storytelling traditions, Black artists have shaped country music’s history and continue to drive its evolution, despite a narrative that has historically marginalized their contributions.
The CROWN Act
The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) addresses discrimination against individuals based on their hair texture and styles, such as braids, locs, afros, and twists. Originally introduced in California in 2019, the CROWN Act aims to combat systemic racism by recognizing that these hairstyles are not merely fashion choices, but expressions of self and cultural heritage. Driven by the experiences of individuals facing discrimination for their natural hair, the CROWN Act seeks to create more inclusive environments where people can freely express their cultural identity without fear of repercussions. The Act has gained significant momentum, with numerous states passing legislation. Currently, Illinois has a statewide CROWN Act. In Missouri, a statewide bill is under consideration, while St. Louis and Kansas City have local Acts. The CROWN Act represents a significant step towards dismantling systemic racism and promoting a more equitable society where all individuals are valued and respected for their unique expressions of self.
Drapetomania
Drapetomania was a false and deeply harmful theory introduced in 1851 by American physician Samuel A. Cartwright. He falsely described it as a mental illness that caused enslaved Africans to flee captivity. This concept stemmed from the racist belief that enslaved people were naturally content with their condition, and any desire for freedom was labeled as a sign of mental disorder. The term itself derives from the Greek words for “runaway slave” and “madness,” further dehumanizing those seeking liberation. Drapetomania was used to justify the brutal system of slavery, portraying acts of resistance as pathological rather than a fight for freedom and dignity. The so-called “treatments” for this fabricated condition were horrifying, often involving physical violence to force submission. It is critical to recognize that drapetomania was never a legitimate medical diagnosis, but rather a glaring example of pseudoscience weaponized to uphold racist ideologies, reinforce oppression, and deny the mental health of those subjected to slavery under the guise of science and academia.
Fairground Park Race Riot
The Fairground Park race riots erupted in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 21, 1949, when the newly integrated Fairground Pool, one of the largest in the nation, opened to African Americans. On its first day, only 30 to 40 Black swimmers joined white patrons without incident until a group of white teenagers surrounded the pool, taunting and shouting racial threats. The tension escalated into a violent riot fueled by a false rumor that a Black man had killed a white child. White mobs armed with baseball bats, bricks, and other weapons attacked African American swimmers, including children, some of whom required police intervention for protection. The violence left over a dozen injured, with six seriously hurt, and resulted in seven arrests — four African Americans and three whites — though Black individuals were disproportionately charged with inciting the riot. The event underscored the pervasive racism and injustice in public spaces as public pools across the country closed in hostility against integration. Ultimately, the Fairground Pool also closed and was permanently removed.
First photo: The pool at Fairground Park earlier in the day, June 21, 1949, as Black swimmers arrived. Second photo: A scene at the park that evening with an African American boy having been beaten by a white mob. Photos originally published in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, 1949.
Jefferson Bank Protests
The Jefferson Bank protests in St. Louis were a pivotal moment in the city’s Civil Rights Movement, ignited by the bank’s discriminatory hiring practices. Beginning in August 1963 and led by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the protests demanded that Jefferson Bank hire Black tellers. Despite facing significant opposition and legal challenges, the protesters engaged in sit-ins, marches, and other forms of civil disobedience, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. The protests garnered substantial media attention, drawing national scrutiny to the bank’s policies and highlighting racial inequality in St. Louis. The city’s Black community rallied behind the movement, viewing it as a symbol of their struggle for economic and social justice. Ultimately, the demonstrations succeeded in pressuring Jefferson Bank to hire Black tellers, setting a precedent for other businesses in the area. This victory not only marked a significant achievement for the protesters but also served as a catalyst for broader social change, inspiring other civil rights movements. The spirit of the Jefferson Bank protests lives on through worker-led fights like Starbucks organizing, the Fight for $15, and Amazon organizing.
The Jefferson Bank protests took place in 1963 at the intersection of Jefferson and Market Streets in St. Louis, Missouri. (Click on image to display larger version.)
Jim from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The real life inspiration for the character Jim in Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is believed to be a composite of several real people. Among them was John T. Lewis, a close childhood friend and a free Black man known for his intelligence, humor, and storytelling skills while working as a barber in Hannibal, Missouri. Lewis is said to have saved the lives of Twain’s sister-in-law, niece, and a Black nurse from a runaway horse and buggy by stopping it from going over a cliff. Another important figure was Daniel Quarles, a former slave who worked for Twain’s uncle in Florida, Missouri. Quarles was recognized for his kindness, loyalty, and wisdom, which left a lasting impression on Twain’s perspective. Additionally, George Griffin, a former slave who served as a butler for Twain’s family, contributed to Jim’s characterization with his politeness, good nature, and shrewdness. The experiences and traits of these men, along with others Twain encountered, enriched Jim’s portrayal, making him a deeply complex and sympathetic character. Through Jim, Twain navigates themes of friendship, freedom, family, and humanity, challenging societal norms of his time. Ultimately, Jim stands out as one of the most memorable, polarizing, and sophisticated figures in American literature, embodying the struggles and resilience of African Americans.
The 2024 novel “James,” by Percival Everett, is a reimagining of Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from the perspective of Jim — who in this version prefers to be called James.
Letter from a Birmingham Jail (excerpt)
… First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action;” who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
[…]
In spite of my shattered dreams of the past, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause, and with deep moral concern, serve as the channel through which our just grievances would get to the power structure. I had hoped that each of you would understand. But again I have been disappointed. I have heard numerous religious leaders of the South call upon their worshippers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear white ministers say, “follow this decree because integration is morally right and the Negro is your brother.” In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churches stand on the sideline and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard so many ministers say, “those are social issues with which the gospel has no real concern.”, and I have watched so many churches commit themselves to a completely other-worldly religion which made a strange distinction between body and soul, the sacred and the secular.
Martin Luther King Jr. penned Letter from Birmingham Jail on April 16, 1963, while incarcerated in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was arrested for leading nonviolent protests against segregation. Read the entire letter here. Link goes to different page.
So here we are moving toward the exit of the twentieth century with a religious community largely adjusted to the status quo, standing as a tail-light behind other community agencies rather than a headlight leading men to higher levels of justice.
Martin Luther King Jr.
“Letter From The Birmingham Jail”
April 16, 1963
Lincoln University
While at army bootcamp at what is now Fairground Park in North St. Louis, newly enlisted Black Union soldiers were taught to read as part of their training at Benton Barracks. Immediately after the Civil War, these soldiers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantry envisioned a future beyond the battlefield. Determined to uplift future generations and provide educational opportunities for freed Black individuals, they pooled their pay and established the Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri. This groundbreaking institution, later renamed Lincoln University, opened its doors in 1866 with a mission to educate and empower Black Americans. Lincoln University paved the way for generations of Black leaders in various fields, including scholars, scientists, educators, and even Buffalo Soldiers. Notably, four days after the university opened, Buffalo Soldiers began their service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. These soldiers later became the first park rangers of the National Park Service.
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on August 28, 1963, was a landmark event in the Civil Rights Movement. Organized by Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph, the march united diverse groups under the banner of equality and economic justice, highlighting the intersection between civil rights and labor rights. With over 250,000 participants, it was the largest gathering for civil rights at the time, demanding jobs and freedom for African Americans and the economically disadvantaged. The event was pivotal in shaping key legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Voting Rights Act of 1965; the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which aimed to address systemic discrimination and poverty; and the Emmett Till Antilynching Act signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. Rustin and Randolph’s leadership illustrated the importance of organizing and coalition-building, showcasing the collective strength of labor unions and civil rights activists. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech resonated deeply, calling for an end to racial injustice and economic inequality. The significance of the march lies in its ability to galvanize public opinion and political will, leading to substantial legislative changes in the years that followed. Its legacy continues to inspire people-led marches around the world for social justice, peace, anti-racism, voting rights, and economic reform.
(Click on images to display larger version.)
NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded on February 12, 1909, in New York City. A group of white and Black activists, including W.E.B. DuBois, Mary White Ovington, and Ida B. Wells, came together to address the pressing issues of racial injustice and inequality faced by African Americans. Inspired by the Niagara Movement, which advocated for civil rights and racial equality, the NAACP aimed to achieve these goals through legal action, education, and political advocacy. The organization’s founding marked a significant turning point in the history of the American Civil Rights Movement, laying the groundwork for future struggles for racial justice and equality.
National Park Service and Buffalo Soldiers
The Buffalo Soldiers, African American regiments established in 1866, played a significant role in the early history of the National Park Service (NPS). Before the NPS was created in 1916, these soldiers served as some of the first park rangers, tasked with protecting and managing national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They built infrastructure such as roads, trails, and cabins while enforcing park regulations to prevent poaching, illegal grazing, and wildfires. Despite facing discrimination and limited recognition, the Buffalo Soldiers’ dedication ensured the preservation of some of America’s most iconic landscapes. Their efforts laid the groundwork for modern park management and reflected their commitment to public service and conservation. The NPS has since acknowledged their contributions through educational programs, historical research, and commemorative events. Buffalo Soldier Benjamin O. Davis Sr. later became a Tuskegee Airman and then the U.S. Army’s first African American general officer. Today, the enduring legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers is celebrated as a vital chapter in the history of both the U.S. military and the conservation movement.
Buffalo Soldiers in the 24th Infantry on mounted patrol duties in Yosemite, 1899. (Click on image to display larger version.)
Du-Good Chemical Laboratory Building
The Du-Good Chemical Laboratory Building, located at 1215-23 South Jefferson Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, is historically significant for its association with Dr. Lincoln I. Diuguid (February 6, 1917 – January 27, 2015), the first African American to graduate with an advanced degree from Cornell University. In 1947, Dr. Diuguid founded the Du-Good Chemical Laboratory, which occupied the building until 2011, transforming a two-story red brick veterinary infirmary built in 1896 into a chemical research and manufacturing facility. This site is closely linked to Dr. Diuguid’s career, as he established his company after facing discrimination in large chemical firms, where he was expected to “pass” as white and was restricted from hiring other African Americans. Over his more than sixty years of operation, Dr. Diuguid invented the first water-free hand sanitizer, developed industrial processes for aviation fuel, and conducted significant medical research, including treatments for leukemia and cancer. Additionally, he played a vital role in the St. Louis African American community by providing job opportunities to local youth and mentoring his students. As a professor of chemistry at Stowe Teachers College (now Harris-Stowe State University), Saint Louis University, and Washington University, he inspired thousands of students and personally mentored many, primarily African Americans, by hiring them as aides in his lab and offering tutoring. The Du-Good Chemical Laboratory Building stands as a testament to Dr. Diuguid’s contributions to both science and his community.
Hidden Figures
The Hidden Figures were a group of brilliant African American women mathematicians — human calculators — who played a crucial role in NASA’s early space program. Katherine Johnson was the first African American woman mathematician hired by NASA and calculated the trajectory for the first American in orbit, John Glenn. Dorothy Vaughan became the first African American woman to lead a team of scientists at NASA. Mary Jackson overcame significant barriers to become NASA’s first Black female engineer. In 2019, the Hidden Figures were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their significant contributions to the success of the U.S. space program. Their achievements have been recognized through the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” which brought their story to the public’s attention, inspiring countless individuals.
Hidden Figures Dorothy Vaughan (born September 20, 1910, Kansas City, Missouri — died November 10, 2008, Hampton, Virginia); Katherine Johnson (born August 26, 1918, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — died February 24, 2020, Newport News, Virginia) ; and Mary Johnson (born April 9, 1921, Hampton, Virginia — died February 11, 2005, Hampton, Virginia)
“Uncle” Nearest Green and Jack Daniel
Nearest Green (c.1820 – unknown) was an enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel (September 5, 1849 – October 9, 1911) how to distill whiskey in the mid-1800s. As the head stiller on the farm of a preacher and distiller named Dan Call, Green perfected a charcoal filtration process that originated in West Africa, known as charcoal mellowing, which gives Tennessee whiskey its distinct character. After the Civil War, Jack Daniel honored Green by bringing him into his newly established distillery as its first master distiller, making Green the first known African American master distiller in the United States. In 2016, Jack Daniel’s officially revised its history to recognize Green’s contributions, launching whiskey under the “Uncle Nearest” brand in his honor and using techniques he introduced. Green’s descendants have remained tied to the legacy, with seven generations working at Jack Daniel’s Distillery, including three family members today. During Prohibition, Green’s family contributed to operations in St. Louis, where the distillery continued production while Tennessee’s alcohol laws were restrictive. The location of the distillery is where the IKEA store is presently located on Forest Park Parkway and Vandeventer. Nearest Green’s legacy, once an open secret, is now widely celebrated as integral to the history of Tennessee whiskey and American distilling.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery at 4000 Duncan Avenue and Vandeventer. Photo taken in 1900. (Click on image to display larger version.)
Reading Rainbow
“Reading Rainbow,” hosted by award-winning actor, director, producer, author, and education advocate LeVar Burton, aired from 1983 to 2006, becoming a cornerstone of children’s educational television. The show inspired millions of young viewers to develop a lifelong love for reading through its diverse book selections and creative storytelling.
Burton, already renowned for his roles in “Roots” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” used his platform to advocate for literacy, inclusivity, and representation. The groundbreaking 1993 episode “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” which addressed the Underground Railroad, was both celebrated and controversial. While praised for its educational value and sensitive handling of difficult subjects, it also drew criticism and hate mail from those uncomfortable with its themes. Despite this backlash, Burton and his team remained committed to their mission of educating and empowering children, particularly by highlighting stories from underrepresented communities.
After 23 years on air, “Reading Rainbow” was canceled in 2006, primarily due to funding issues and political shifts in educational programming priorities. This cancellation disappointed fans and educators who recognized the show’s profound impact. Today, LeVar Burton continues to champion literacy and representation, ensuring the legacy of “Reading Rainbow” endures as a symbol of positive change in children’s media.
Samuel L. Jackson — Usher, Activist, Actor
Long before becoming one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, Samuel L. Jackson played a small but significant role in history by serving as an usher at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral in 1968. At the time, Jackson was a college student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where King himself had studied decades earlier. Deeply influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King’s legacy, Jackson volunteered to assist at the funeral, which was attended by thousands of mourners and notable figures. This experience not only connected Jackson to a pivotal moment in American history but also reinforced his commitment to activism, which he has carried throughout his life and career. Most recently, Jackson played Uncle Sam in Kendrick Lamar‘s pivotal and groundbreaking halftime show.
The Snowy Day
Ezra Jack Keats, a Brooklyn-born Jewish Polish American author and illustrator, broke new ground in children’s literature with “The Snowy Day.” This landmark book features Peter, a young African American boy exploring his urban neighborhood after a fresh snowfall. Written in 1962, the book’s simple narrative and vibrant collage illustrations, depicting Peter’s joy and wonder, earned Keats the Caldecott Medal in 1963, a prestigious award for children’s book illustration. “The Snowy Day” broke ground by portraying a Black child as the central character, a rarity in children’s literature at the time, and offered a positive and relatable image for young African American readers. The urban setting, with its familiar sights and sounds, further grounded the story in the reality of many children’s lives. Its universal themes of childhood discovery and the magic of nature resonated with readers of all backgrounds. The book’s enduring popularity is evident in its status as the most checked-out book in the history of the New York Public Library, making it a testament to its cultural significance and lasting impact.
Shotgun Houses
The shotgun house is a narrow, rectangular house with rooms arranged in a single line, one behind the other. Brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans on plantations, the structure promoted airflow in hot weather.
In the United States, shotgun houses gained popularity in the South, particularly New Orleans. Their simple, affordable construction made them ideal for working-class families.
The name “shotgun” derives from the ability to “shoot” a clear line of sight from front to back door. Shotgun may also be a creolization of a Yoruba word for God’s house — “shogun”.
Victorian Shotgun Houses in St. Louis were frequently constructed from characteristic St. Louis brick. Decorative elements, such as masonry arches and variations in color and finish, added touches of sophistication and pride to even the most modest shotgun dwellings. These homes can be found in older St. Louis neighborhoods including Walnut Park, The Ville, and The Hill.
While facing challenges like gentrification and disrepair, shotgun houses are valued for their historical significance and for their sentimental value to families who lived in them for multiple generations. Preservation efforts are crucial to protect these unique cultural and architectural landmarks.
Three shotgun homes in The Ville neighborhood of North St. Louis.
Six Triple Eight
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” was the only all-Black, all-female unit of the Women’s Army Corps to serve overseas during World War II. Led by Major Charity Adams, these remarkable women were tasked with clearing a massive backlog of undelivered mail for American troops stationed in Europe. Working tirelessly around the clock in three shifts, they processed an average of 65,000 pieces of mail per shift, ensuring that vital messages reached soldiers and boosted morale. Their motto, “No Mail, Low Morale,” underscored the crucial role they played in maintaining the spirits of American forces. Despite facing numerous challenges, including racial discrimination and logistical hurdles, the 6888th successfully cleared backlogs in record time, demonstrating their exceptional efficiency and dedication. Their contributions to the war effort were often overlooked, but in 2018, the Obama Administration posthumously awarded the 6888th the Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing their invaluable service and highlighting their significance in American military history.
6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion; Major Charity Adams, Commander. (Click on image to display larger version.)
“And you will understand all too soon
That you, my children of battle, are your heroes”
About 2025
Speakers Series 2025
Wall of Champions 2025
Land and Labor Acknowledgement
In Memoriam 2025
Facts and Figures