Did you know before the O.J. Simpson trial that while a student at Loyola Law School, Johnnie Cochran became the first black law clerk hired by the Los Angeles City Attorney? He had quite the list of high profile clients as well — Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Todd Bridges, Snoop Dogg, Riddick Bowe, & even Rosa Parks. But most notably, Cochran himself considers one of his most important trials was his work on the case of Geronimo Pratt, who spent a quarter century in prison for a crime he did not commit. Do your homework on J Mane, it hit different.
Black History 365 | # 62 Yvette Carnell
Yvette Carnell is the CEO of ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery). An organization advocating for a fixing/reversal of the 400-year legacy of chattel slavery for the descendants of slaves in the US, its accrued cost and the major disadvantages made to national black life. This organization advocates for policies that will eliminate the divides faced by all Black Americans. For ADOS, the specific call is for a national program for slavery Reparations. This program contains a Reparations package that would prioritize cash payments totaling $20 trillion to American Descendants of Slavery. Together with targeted policies and protections, the redistributive measures will be ongoing and must remain in effect until — at the very least — the racial wealth gap between white Americans and ADOS is closed. Come on now!! This is present day black history. As a first generation American-Haitian I would see none of this bread. And that’s OK, much respect for our brothers and sisters in the struggle. I pray this plan actualizes.
Black History 365 | # 61 Otis Boykin
In 1964, Otis Boykin invented the pacemaker. Well, he created a control unit for pacemakers – a small device that helps regulate the heartbeat by an electric stimulation. By the time of his death in 1982, he had 26 patents to his name. Boykin’s invention would be found in the cutting-edge technology of the time: guided missile systems, IBM computers, and the first implantable pacemakers.
Black History 365 | # 60 Bessie Coleman
Did you know Bessie Coleman is the first black person to earn an international pilot’s license? When U.S. aviation schools refused to admit her, she learned French on her own and traveled to France to attend flight school. She became known as “Queen Bess” for her death defying air shows and incredible flight stunts.
Black History 365 | #59 Althea Gibson
Did you know Althea Gibson was the first Black player to win the French (1956), Wimbledon (1957–58), and U.S. Open (1957–58) singles championship? Gibson won eleven majors—five singles, five doubles, one mixed—and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. Her reign was during the Jim Crow era. AND she also became the first black player to compete on the women’s professional golf tour. Talk about a legend in two games like I’m PeeWee Kirkland huh? Incredible. This was all during the Jim Crow era. She was changing society. In her autobiography though, she states "I have never regarded myself as a crusader…I don't consciously beat the drums for any cause, not even the negro in the United States."