http://www.johnsonpublishing.com/index.php/how-we-do-it/
http://www.blackpast.org/aah/ebony-magazine
originally modeled to be a Black version of LIFE magazine, soon to be Mega Publisher John H. Johnson launched EBONY Magazine on November 1st 1945. Based out of Chicago, The Johnson Publishing Company Empire would soon grow to include Jet Magazine, Fashion Fair Cosmetics, and a book publishing company. Functioning as a "lifestyle brand," Ebony Magazine's circulation reached an estimated 1.8 million faithful readers at the height of its popularity. Today we celebrate the wonderful legacy of John H. Johnson & The Johnson Publishing Empire. Let's take a look back at some of the legendary covers. #SaluteThePioneers http://www.johnsonpublishing.com/index.php/how-we-do-it/ http://www.blackpast.org/aah/ebony-magazine
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What is now Tuskegee University was founded on September 19th 1881. Founded by The Great Booker T. Washington and others, Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute started with 30 students & a one room shanty. Since then, Tuskegee University found itself to home to one of, if not the most prestigious school of Veterinary Medicine, The Tuskegee Airmen Flight Training Program, the founding of The United Negro College Fund, and so much more. In the modern era Tuskegee added doctoral programs in integrative bio-Science, materials science & engineering, Business and Information Sciences and more. already existing programs in Engineering, Architecture and Physical Sciences expanded-including Aerospace Engineering (the only program of its kind at any HBCU). Today Tuskegee provides a high percentage of the Black Chemical, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Graduates-and provides more Doctorates in Materials Science and Engineering than any other school in the nation. The University is currently a highly preferred training locale for the future scientists from all over Africa, Asia & The Middle East-and is the Only University Campus in America designated as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Congress. Distinguished aumni include Military Pioneer & Legend Daniel "Chappie" James & groundbreaking author Ralph Ellison. Booker T. Washington is buried on campus of Tuskegee University, near the University Chapel. http://www.tuskegee.edu/about_us/history_and_mission.aspx http://www.tuskegee.edu/about_us/quick_facts.aspx http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/tuskegee-university-founded During the early morning hours of June 17th 1972 a security guard Frank Wills was walking the premises of The Watergate Building in Washington D.C., when he discovered tape covering a door latch, which prevented it from closing all the way. The security guard made note of his find, removed the tape, and went on his way. But upon returning to the area, Wills observed that the door was again taped open & called the police. That door was an entrance to the offices of The Democratic National Committee, what Wills had discovered was five men, all in some way attached to Then-President Richard Nixon, there to steal documents & set up wiretaps on the office phones. The five men were arrested, and over the next 22 months, it was confirmed that these men were working with the campaign to re-elect Nixon. Though he steadfastly denied any involvement in the burglaries, Nixon was implicated in having providing so-called "hush money" to the burglars, obstructing the FBI's investigation & and destroying evidence. He was NEVER PROSECUTED, but facing impeachment, Nixon ultimately resigned from office in August of 1974.
What happened to Frank Wills? While he did enjoy some level of fame & fortune briefly, he ultimately died broke & destitute. The security company that he had been working for refused to give him a raise, and likely blacklisted, he never found stable employment again. Just like The Iran-Contra Scandal, that would come a decade later, most of those involved in the criminal side of this conspiracy found fame & money. The two reporters that covered Frank Wills story, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, are important figures right up to this day. But like in so many other cases, in which the whistle-blower ends up being the one punished, Frank Wills was made to suffer for doing the right thing. Sadly Frank Wills died penniless, of a brain tumor, on September 27th 2000. The Democratic National Committee honored him with a superficial award in 1974, but few looked out for him to make sure that the obvious pending backlash would not be allowed to destroy him. #Salute #RespectTheStruggle Yesterday I posted a blog post saluting The Legendary Bill Russell as the First Black man to coach in Professional sports; but after being pointed in the right direction by a journalist that I have a great degree of admiration for, I went back to do my homework a little bit more. Somehow left on the back pages of history stands a monumental talent in the form of Coach John McLendon. Coach John B. McLendon, Jr. was the first Black Man to coach basketball at a Predominately White university, and the first Black head coach of any professional sports team. A Student of Basketball's founder Dr. James Naismith, at The University of Kansas, McLendon enrolled as the first black student in the school’s physical education department. he endured hostile/racially motivated treatment while enrolled, and was never allowed to play on the All-White basketball team. McLendon tried out for the team several times, but would be cut on each attempt. Upon graduation McLendon was hired as an assistant coach at North Carolina college (North Carolina Central). In 1941, he would become Head Coach, and in his first year as head coach, his North Carolina College Team would win the Negro National College Championship Tournament. McLendon is widely credited as the Founder & Pioneer of The Fast Break. McLendon's teams quickly became known for their Up-Tempo/Baseline to Baseline offensive & defensive play, superior conditioning, aggressive Defense and High-Scoring showmanship. The John McLendon coached North Carolina College Teams would go on to win Eight Black College Championship between 1941 & 1952. McLendon would be lured off to Tennessee A & I University (Tennessee State University). While there, the combination of McLendon's coaching & the play of The Great Dick Barnett would lead the Tigers to win Three Straight National Intercollegiate Championships (1957 thru 1959). No coach had EVER accomplished such a feat. It has been said that these were some great years for basketball, as the Tigers put on such an amazing show for what would quickly become a packed house of Integrated crowds. Coach McLendon would next move on to become The First Black Head Coach of a Professional Basketball Team in an Integrated League, as leader of the George Steinbrenner owned Cleveland Pipers of The american Basketball League (ABL). Quickly moving on from Steinbrenner's meddling, McLendon would again make history as the first black head coach of a majority white college upon taking the job at Cleveland State University. In 1969, he took the head coaching position with the Denver Rockets of the ABA, before retiring & spending the next two decades as a company rep for Converse. Coach John McLendon was born April 5th 1915, and finished his coaching career with a record of 496 wins & 179 losses. He is also famous for the racially-groundbreaking 1944 "Secret Game" between Duke & North Carolina College. At that time intermingling of Black & White, of any kind, was illegal. Great care was taken to keep this event a secret, and this day would remain a closely guarded secret for the next 52 years (1996). McLendon's team trounced Duke 88 to 44. After that, they played an additional game (mixing the players from both teams together) and hung out in the dormitories together. Coach McLendon also coached at Kentucky State University & Hampton Institute. Today The John McLendon Award is presented annually to the Nation's Top Collegiate Head Coach (Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and JUCO coaches are eligible for the award). John B. McLendon, Jr. died in 1999 at the age of 84. Sadly few know anything about his contributions to the Game of Basketball. #Salute http://www.thesportsfanjournal.com/sports/basketball/north-carolina-central-vs-duke-1944-secret-game/ http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/john-mclendon-basketball-guru Bill Russell was one of the first Black Head Coaches of any major professional sports team. From 1966 to 1969 he wasn't just on the Boston Celtics sidelines either, he was Player/Coach. He had no assistant coaches, it was just Bill Russell doing what he always did best, lead his team to victories. Despite winning Back to Back Championships (in 1968 & 1969), Bill russell is rarely ever mentioned in history as a coach. Furthermore, few recognize the fact that Bill Russell not only operated successfully in spite of the pressures associated with being the first Black Coach in The NBA-but also coaching in the shadow of his legendary coach & mentor Red Auerbach. In his first season, Russell led the Celtics to a 60-21 record but lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in The Eastern Conference (Division) Finals. The next season Russell's coaching & on court play would lead The Boston Celtics to the 1967-1968 NBA Championship, beating Wilt Chamberlin & The Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Russell retired at the end of that season, but would later return for brief coaching stints as head coach/general manager of The Seattle SuperSonics & Head Coach of The Sacramento Kings. As a player, Russell would lead The Boston Celtics to 11 championships in 13 years. He was arguably the first Black Superstar Player in NBA History, and today The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award is named in honor of his dominance. His dominance and high character views on life were also felt in the field of race relations during the turbulent 1960's. We need more of our youth to know about The Great Bill Russell. #Salute |
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