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Today’s Black History WOW!
Dr. Vivian Ayers Allen is a poet, cultural activist, American classicist, and the mother of actors and activists Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen. Born 101 years ago in 1923, she is a native of Chester, SC, where she founded the Brainerd Institute Heritage and established the "Workshops in Open Fields" program.
Dr. Ayers Allen attended the Brainerd Institute, a historically Black boarding school in her hometown, before continuing her education at Barber-Scotia College. She has also received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Bennett College and Wilberforce University.
Her literary career began in Houston, Texas with the publication of "Spice of Dawns" (1952), a collection of poems that was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. "Hawk," an allegory of freedom made analogous to space flight, followed and was published on July 11, 1957, just 11 weeks before the launch of Sputnik I.
As a “Hidden Figure” during the 1960s, Ayers Allen worked on several critical projects at NASA. Her work largely revolved around mathematical computations and data analysis crucial to space missions. Her attention to detail and analytical prowess made her an invaluable asset to the team, ensuring that the calculations for various space missions were precise and reliable.
Beyond her role at NASA, Dr. Ayers Allen is a celebrated poet, playwright, and cultural custodian. Her literary works, which include "Spice of Dawns" and "Hawk," reflect her deep connection to her heritage and her commitment to exploring themes of human potential and resilience.
One of her most notable endeavors is the creation of the "Workshops in Open Fields" program, an initiative designed to bring classical literature and arts to underserved communities. Through this program, Dr. Ayers Allen has worked tirelessly to bridge the cultural gap, offering the opportunity to engage with transformative educational experiences.
Today In Black History
In 1802, French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte ordered the re-establishment of slavery on the island of St. Domingue (now Haiti).
In 1893, it was confirmed that 118 Black people had been lynched in one year.
In 1946, the first U.S. commemorative coin of an African American, Booker T. Washington, was struck.
In 1948, at the London Olympics, Alice Coachman became the first African American woman to win a gold medal in the high jump.
In 1954, the U.S. Senate confirmed Charles H. Mahoney as the first Black person to serve as a full delegate to the United Nations.
In 1957, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
In 1970, the African nation of the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) gained its independence from France.
In 1989, Congressman Mickey Leland (D-TX) and 15 others died in a plane crash in Ethiopia.
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