People in history

The Dutch West India Company: Navigating the high seas of commerce and colonisation

Regarding colonial history, the Dutch West India Company (WIC) stands out as a significant player in the 17th and 18th centuries. This multinational corporation was a commercial enterprise and an …

W.E.B. Du Bois: Scholar, activist, and pioneer in the fight for African American rights

‍W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent African American intellectual, writer, and activist, played a significant role in shaping the discourse around race and civil rights in the United States during the late …

Rex Nettleford: A cultural luminary who danced through the heart of Jamaica

In Jamaican arts and culture, Rex Nettleford shines brightly as a beacon of creativity, scholarship, and advocacy. Born on 3 February 1933 in the picturesque town of Falmouth, Jamaica, …

Arthur de Gobineau and the Essay on the Inequality of Human Races

Joseph Arthur de Gobineau, a name that resonates with controversy and historical significance, remains a pivotal figure in the development of racial theory. His influential work, “Essay on the …

The assassination of Medgar Evers: A turning point in the civil rights movement

The assassination of Medgar Evers, a prominent African American civil rights leader, marked a significant turning point in the fight against racism and sparked renewed efforts towards achieving racial …

Arthur Wharton world’s first black professional footballer

Arthur Wharton was the world’s first Black professional footballer. Despite his sporting prowess, he was never fully accepted and died a forgotten man. Arthur was born on 28 October 1865 in …

Norbert Rillieux – Inventor

1806-1894 – Nobert Rillieux is famous for revolutionising the sugar industry. Norbert Rillieux was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 17 March 1806. His parents were Vincent Rillieux, a white …

Thomas Jennings – Inventor

Thomas Jennings (1791-1859) Thomas Jennings was born free in New York City in 1791. In his early 20s, he became a tailor but then opened a dry-cleaning business in New York. Thomas went on to …

George Crum

The potato chip (aka crisps) was invented in 1853 by George Crum. The son of an African-American father and a Native American mother, Crum was a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge resort in …

Granville T Woods “The Black Edison”

Many professionals in the electrical industry knew Granville T Woods as the “Black Edison”. Woods was considered by many to be the greatest electrician in the world. The most well-known of …

Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, Canada, on 2 May 1844. His parents were George and Emillia McCoy, former slaves from Kentucky who escaped through the Underground Railroad. George joined …

Henry Boyd – Black inventor

Henry Boyd was a skilled carpenter, born into slavery in Kentucky on 12 April 1802. At a young age, his master apprenticed Henry out to a cabinetmaker. Henry proved to have an impressive talent for …