Today In Black History
Whoopi Goldberg, Award-winning Actor and Activist
Issue #578 Today In Black History, Wednesday, April 24, 2024
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Today’s Black History WOW!
Caryn Elaine Johnson, who is known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg, is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality. She is one of only 19 entertainers and the first Black woman to win the EGOT, which includes an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. In 2001, she received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. She has acted in over 150 films and has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Born on November 13, 1955, in New York City, Whoopi Goldberg has become a household name in the entertainment industry. With an impressive career spanning over four decades, Goldberg has made her mark as an actress, comedian, producer, and television host.
Whoopi has said that her first name came from the “Whoopi Cushion,” and she chose “Goldberg” as her last name because she believed that a Jewish heritage is part of her background.
Goldberg's rise to fame began in the 1980s when she landed her breakout role in Steven Spielberg's film "The Color Purple" in 1985. Her performance as Celie Harris earned her critical acclaim and her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
In 1990, Goldberg made history by becoming the second African American woman to win an Academy Award for her role in the film "Ghost." She followed this up with memorable performances in movies such as Sister Act, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, The Lion King, and Ghosts of Mississippi. She is the first African American actor to have received Academy Award nominations for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
Aside from her work in film, Goldberg has also found success in television. She is best known for her role as one of the hosts of the popular daytime talk show "The View," where she has been a co-host since 2007. Goldberg's candid and often controversial opinions on various topics have made her a beloved figure on the show.
Goldberg lobbied for and was eventually cast in a recurring guest-starring role as Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation. According to an anecdote, a young Goldberg was watching Star Trek, and on seeing Nichols's character Uhura, exclaimed, "Momma! There's a Black lady on television and she ain't no maid!" This spawned Goldberg's lifelong love of Star Trek.
In addition to her work in entertainment, Goldberg is also known for her activism and philanthropy. She is an outspoken advocate for various causes, including human rights, LGBTQ rights, and children's welfare.
Today In Black History
In 1884, the National Medical Association of Black Physicians was organized in Atlanta, Georgia, because the American Medical Association refused to allow Black doctors to join that group.
In 1950, the United Negro College Fund was founded.
In 1951, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admitted its first Black student.
In 1972, James A. Rodger, Jr. became the first African American to be named the National Teacher of the Year.
In 1972, Robert Wedgeworth was named as the first African American Director of the American Library Association.
In 1979, the state of Georgia designated Ray Charles’ rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” as the official state song.
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