Today In Black History
Isabel Wilkerson, award-winning journalist and author
Issue #499 Today In Black History, Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Today’s Black History WOW!
Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson was born in 1961 in Washington, D.C. She is a highly acclaimed author and journalist whose work has shed light on the history and experiences of African Americans in the United States. She is the author of the New York Times best-selling books “The Warmth of Other Suns” (2010), which chronicles three people during the Great Migration, and “Caste: the Origins of Our Discontents” (2020), which examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America. The recent movie “Origin” is a fictionalized version of how Wilkerson came to write “Caste” while coping with personal tragedy.
After completing her undergraduate studies at Howard University, Wilkerson embarked on a successful career in journalism. She worked for various publications, including The Washington Post, where she became the first Black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her work as the Chicago bureau chief. In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded her the National Humanities Medal for "championing the stories of an unsung history."
Wilkerson's work extends beyond the written word. She is also a sought-after speaker who has delivered keynote addresses and presentations at prestigious institutions and events.
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Wilkerson has been a professor of journalism and director of narrative nonfiction at Boston University. She has also taught at other prestigious colleges and served as a mentor to aspiring writers, sharing her expertise and knowledge with the next generation of storytellers.
Wilkerson's impact extends beyond the realm of academia and literature. She has been actively involved in various organizations and movements that strive for equality and justice, including participating in civil rights marches and lending her voice to initiatives promoting racial harmony.
In recognition of her contributions, Wilkerson has received numerous accolades and honors. In 2021, she was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People.
By uncovering the untold stories and experiences of Black Americans, she has challenged traditional narratives and brought marginalized voices to the forefront.
Today In Black History
- In 1635, the first public school in America, the Boston Latin School opened, but Black students were excluded from attending.
- In 1892, the first African American performers, the World’s Fair Colored Opera Company, appeared at Carnegie Hall.
- In 1920, Andrew “Rube” Foster organized the National Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, the first Black baseball league.
- In 1923, the first Black professional basketball team, “The Renaissance,” was organized.
- In 1957, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was organized in New Orleans, with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as its president.
- In 1970, Joseph Searles became the first Black member of the New York Stock Exchange.
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