W.E.B. Dubois

William Edward Burghart DeBois was an important leader who worked to help end racism in the United States. He was born February 23, 1968 in Massachusetts and died on Auguest 27, 1963. By that time, he had written seventeen books and he did many things to fight against discrimination and racism during that time. He believed in peaceful solucions instead of conflict, like Martin Luther King, Jr. did, who was born after him.

DuBois's father left when he was young and his mother died when he was 16 years old. He was a good student though, and was the first African-American to graduate from his high school. He went to college in Tennessee and earned his PH.D. from Harvard University. One of the most important things that DuBois did was to help start the NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1909. The NAACP was important because they helped with many legal cases which made sure that the rights of minorities were protected.

W.E.B. Dubios is important to North Carolina history because in 1926, the W.E.B. DeBois School was built for Aftican-Americans in Wake Forest, NC, and was named in his honor because he was so important in advancing the rights fo African-Americans.

By: Alex F.

Richard Etheridge

Captain Richard Etheridge, a Union Army veteran, (someone sho has served in an army) was the first Aftican American to be in control of a Life-Saving Station when the service appointed him as the keeper of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station. That was in North Carolina 1880. Wow! He became the keeper of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station because in 1879 there was a keeper who was a white man who had a crew of white and black men. Well there was a rescue effort on November 18879 but it as completely messed up. Some of the crew members and the keeper were help responsible. The Revenue Cutter service reviewed the case, and and fired the white man, and guess who was put in his place, Richard Etheridge. The First Lieutenant Charles E. Shoemaker made a note that Richard was one of the best surfman on this part of the coast in N.C. Soon after Etheridge's appointment, the Pea Island Life-Saving Station burned down. Determined to do his duties with expert commitment (to ut yourself to the task.._ Etheridge watched over the construction of the new station on the one and only site. He also developed tough Life-Saving drills that helped his crew tackle all Life-Saving tasks. His station earned the reputation (what people think you are) of "one of the tightest on the Carolina Coast" with Richard well known as one of the most courageous and ingenious life saver's.

October 11, 1896 Richard's tough training drills proved to be invaluable. The three masted sailboat, the E.S. Newman, was caught in a strong storm. The vessel was blown 100 miles south off course it was supposed to be on and placed itself on the beach two miles south of the lifesaving station Etheridge warked at. The horrible storm was so dangerous that Richard had made the normal beach patrols go home that day. But the keen eyes of surfman Theodore Meekins saw the first danger flare and he quickly made Richard aware of it Richard collected his crew and started off on the surfboat. battling the mighty tides and sweeping currents the lifesavers had a hard time to make their way to a poit opposite the sailboat, only to find there was no dry land. Richard tied two of his strongest surfmen side by side and connected them to shore by a long line. They fought their way through the loud breakers and finally reached the stranded sailboat. The Pea Island crew members journeyed through the dangerous waters about ten time! The entire crew was rescued from the sailboat. Richard and his crew were awarded the Gold lifesaving Medal by the Coast Guard, for this rescue.

By: Kiera S.

John Coltrane

John Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina on September 23, 1926 and became a saxophonist. His son became a saxophonist also. He did bebop then later on he became a free jazz player. He made 50 recordings and many albums. Then he moved to Philadelphia in June 1943. Then he entered the Navy in 1945, and then he played in the Navy Jazz Band. He returned to Civilian life in 1946 and started a jazz theory studies with some of Philadelphia guitarists and a composer which was Dennis Sandole. John's nickname is Trane. Some of John's music from 1946 is for Miles Davis. Some of John's recordings from 1946 were not recognized; also he was part of some groups that were led by Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Bostic and Johnny Hodges. John's main career was expanded fro 12 years during that time he reshaped it and influenced generations for other musicians.

By: Kyndall R.

Dr. Charolotte Hawkins Brown

Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown was born on June 11, 1883 in Henderson, North Carolina. She was the granddaughter of a slave. In the late 1880's, her family moved by boat from Norfolk, Virginia to Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1901, she found an unoccupied shack and turned it into a one-room school. She taught school for one year. In 1902 Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown was a founder of the Palmer Institute, which was a school for upper class African Americans. The Palmer Institute was located in Sandalia, North Carolina. In 1911, at the age of 29 she married a man named Edward S. Brown. The Marriage only lasted for four years until 1915. Between 1917 and 1936, she recieved honarary Master of Arts degrees from three educational institutions. Also between 1937 and 1958, she recieved honorary doctoral degrees from four universities. She also served as the president for the North Carolina Teachers Association. In 1941, at the age of 68 she wrote a book called The Correct Things to do, to Say to Wear. Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown had no children of her own but she took care of her brother Mingo's daughters and her Aunt Ella Brice's four children. In the 1960's she was a founder of the North Carolina Teacher's Association. Her main goal was to show that blacks should be equal to whites. Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown died January 11, 1961 in Greensboro, North Carolina at the age of 77 because of heart problems.

Dara M.

Daniel T Blue Jr.

Daniel T. Blue is a Democartic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Daniel was boen April 18, 1949 in Lumberton, NC. His paernts gave him the love and support that made him a stron, black man.

Daniel graduated high school in 1966 and enrolled in college at North Carolina Central University. He was an outstanding student and could have chosen to be anything, but he chose to be a lawyer.

As a member of the NC House of Representatives, Daniel served as Speaker of the House from 1991 thru 1994. He was the first African American to hold this post. He lost this post when in 1994 when the Republicans regained control of the House.

Daniel, then returned to the practice of law. He was selected by the local Democratic Party to return to his seat in the NC House of Representatives when his successor died.

By: Rachel J.

Bennet College

Bennet College was founded by Albion Tourgee in 1873. It is a four year liberal arts college for women. It was first known as Bennet Seminary. It was chartered in 1889 and it's new name was Bennet College. Over 25 years ago it was reorganized and made into all women's college. It is one of the remaining four year liberal college for women. Some of the traditions are Charter Days, Big Sister, Little Sister, White Breakfast, Wearing Pearls and Senior Day. There have been over 10 principals at Bennet College. The first three were W.J Parker (1874-1877) and Edward O. Thayer (1877-1881) and Wilber F. Steele (1881-1889). their current principal is Dr. Julianne Malveaux. Bennet College now has 678 students.

Romare Bearden

Romare Howard Bearden was born September 2, 1911 to Richard Howard and Bessie Bearden in Charlotte North Carolina. He died in New York March 12, 1988. He was 76 years old. He died of bone cancer.



He went to DeWitt Clinton High School. He also was a baseball player in the Negro league. He began college at Lincoln University. Romare transferred to Boston University and completed his studies and New York University.



He graduated with a dgree in education. He began taking courses of art. At New York University Romare published many journal covers. After joining the Harlem artists guides Bearden left on his life long study of art, gathering inspiration from western masters.



He made art that was called collage. He would take bits and pieces of ribbon, paper and other materials and put it all together on a canvas. A lot of his art can be found in museums.

Romare was really great with his art. He just put pieces of different materials on paper and canvas and it was pretty much art. It was cool that alot of museums have them there. He liked making lang landscapes and used alot of women and children in his art.

Romare Bearden also wrote books. One of his popular books is called Lil' Dan and the drummer boy. Lil' Dan was a slave on a plantation. He loves to play his drum. When a company announces all the slaves are set free he doesn't no where to go so he follows the soilders.

In 1990, the Romare Bearden Foundation was started. The foundation has a collection of his art and books and letters. these are available to schools and public programs to make people aware of how important he was to his culture and history of art.

Fantasia Barrino

My North Carolina African American person is Fantasia Barrino. Fantasia was born on June 30, 1984 in High Point North Carolina. Growing up, Fantasia was always singing whether it was at home or at church. The Barrino family would travel all over the south and even recorded a CD Miracles for a local North carolina label. Even though she never finished high school she was always working on her singing and would preform in different shows in North Carolina and throughout the south. Fantasia had a very tough time growing up and even was abused by her boyfriend. Fantasia became a single mother when she was 17 years old.



In 2004 Fantasia was selected to be on the American Idol show. America never heard such a strong gospel, rythm ad blues singer like Fantasia. Not only did the judges love fantasia but America did to. At the age of 19 Fantasia became America Idols finalist and winner. She later went on to star in Broadway showsand even a movie about her life. Fantasia Barrino released her own record which has sold millions of copies.

Aretha Franklin has always been an inspiration to fantasia. When an opportunity presented to Fantasia to play Aretha Franklin on the hit TV show American Dreams it was a dream come true. On March 25, 2005 Fantasia preformed at the NAACP Image Awards in honorof Illinois senator Barack Obama Before he was elected President of the Untied States. Fantasia also won an award for outstanding female artist. In May of 2005, Fantasia went on her first tour with her own band and soul singers.

Fantasia is looking forward to releasing a new album in the spring of 2009. Her new album will have many different sounds from her American Idol show and gospel singing. Fantasia has told many people about her strugles especially with her problems with school. September 2005 she published her memoirs which was written by another writer. Her book is called Life is Not a Fairy Tale. Fantasia's book was number 7 on the New York Times Bestseller list. The book she told how she cannot read well and could only read easy familiar words. Fantasia always tells children how important it is to stay in school and learn while pursuing their dreams. In August 2006 her book was made into a Lifetime Television film.

By: James Tine

Barber-Scotia College

Barber-Scotia College is in Concord, North Carolina. It is a historic college because it is the first black college for girls. The college began in 1867 and taught girls how to be social workers and teachers. The Presbyterian Curch helped to establish the college after the civil war. Scotia Seminary was the college first name. In 1916, the college was renamed Scotia Women's College. When Barber Memorial College in Anniston, Alabama merged with Scotia Women's college in 1930 the college name changed to Barber-Scotia College. The college became coed in 1954, meaning that both girls and boys could go there.

By: Meagan K.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was born as Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928. Her brother , Baily Jr., gave her the name"Maya" during their childhood. When Angelou was 8 years old she experienced a tragic event that left her nearly mute for 5 years. A teacher and friend, Bertha Flowers, helped her to speak again. Flowers intrduced her to classical literature and authors, such as Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, and Edgar Allen Poe.

After graduating from highschool, Angelou attended California Labor School on a scholarship. There she studied dance and drama. During her years in college, Angelou became the first black female streetcar conductor for San Francisco. A few weeks after graduating from college, Maya gave birth to her son, Clyde. He too became a poet. Later Angelou received a scholarship to study dance with Trinidadian choreographer Pearl Primus. Angelou married tosh Angelos in 1952,but the divorced after one-and-a-half years. Angelou has never admitted how many times she's been married, but it's believed to be at least three times.