Black History 365 | # 196 The Wayans Family

Shoutout to the Wayans family. From In Living Color to Poppa’s House The Wayans’ been making America laugh all while building a multi-generational brand of comedy. If you know you know, the Wayans have cemented themselves in black history, but this time they’ve been recognized by the NAACP for it. Congratulations on being inducted in the NAACP Hall of Fame.

Black History 365 | # 195 Kevin Grevioux

Kevin Grevioux is an actor, screenwriter, & executive producer. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kevin Grevioux was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in various other states including Alaska, Oklahoma, Massachusetts (Boston), and New Jersey. He graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Microbiology, afterwards attending graduate school and this time working towards a Masters in Genetic Engineering. While studying, he congruently took screenwriting and cinematography classes as well, and by the time his first semester of grad school had finished, Kevin had chosen film as his preferred career and moved to Los Angeles, where he began to work as a writer. Grevioux also came to Hollywood where he acted in several films including The Mask, Congo, Batman Forever and Men in Black II.  Kevin co-wrote and co-created the successful Underworld franchise, which was his first produced writing credit.  He was also a co-producer on the series and played the character “Raze.” And he’s on Instagram! @kevingrevioux, peace!

Black History 365 | # 194 Mary Wallace

This woman, Mary Wallace was the first female bus driver for Chicago Transit Authority, 1974. She remained a bus driver for 33 years before retiring. Not to mention the first black female driver. “Miss Mary E. Wallace, 22, the new driver, said at a press conference yesterday that she likes the blouse and gray and blue colors of the CTA driver’s uniform, but would like it better if the bottom of the pants legs were flared.” …and fly. Shoutout to her!

Black History 365 | # 193 Ernie Barnes

The first American professional athlete to become a noted painter, recognized for his unique style of movement and energy. Ernie Barnes' involvement with art began at an early age, like most gifted adult artists. However, when he reached high school his creative endeavors were temporarily detoured in his determination to become a successful athlete. He graduated from his high school a hero and star football player, and with 26 full athletic scholarships to choose from. He chose North Carolina Central University and a major in art. After college he continued in an illustrious professional athletic career, but never let his love for football overshadow his love for art. You know his work! If you don’t…Good Times. Come on now. Ernie Barnes passed away April 27th in 2009 in Los Angeles California. His legacy lives on.

Black History 365 | # 192 Octavia Butler

Octavia Butler paved the way for African-American science fiction authors. Her first novel, Patternmaster, was published in 1976, a story that eventually expanded into a larger series. By 1979 and the publication of Kindred, she was firmly established as an African American writer. Through Kindred, she brought together critiques of both past and present societal hierarchies, both blended together in the science fiction genre. Called the “grand dame of science fiction,” Butler fearlessly crossed many lines. She used her novels to challenge our way of thinking and show that humans, regardless of race, deal with the same problems across all history and time. In an interview with Charlie Rose, she said, “I write about people and the different ways of being human.” Her work has been categorized as Afrofuturism, which is oh so fresh. In 1984, Butler won both the Hugo Award for Best Short Story and the Nebula Award for Best Novelette. By 1995, she was the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Fellowship “genius” grant. Born in 1947 in Pasadena, California she dealt with dyslexia but has been writing since 10 years old. Butler passed away February 24, 2006 at 58 years old in Lake Forest Park, Washington.