Sharon Pratt Dixon was sworn in as mayor of the District of Columbia. Dixon succeeded Marion Barry who was convicted of cocaine possession in the summer of 1990.

Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential media moguls in history, was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Overcoming a challenging childhood marked by poverty and abuse, she rose to become a talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. Her groundbreaking show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ran for 25 years and made her a cultural icon and the first Black female billionaire.

On this date in 1990, David Norman Dinkins officially began his tenure as the 106th mayor of New York City, making history as the city’s first African American mayor. He started his first working day with a 7:00 a.m. appearance on NBC’s ‘Today’ show.

Dinkins secured the Democratic nomination after defeating the three-term incumbent, Edward Koch, in the September 1989 primaries. In the general election, he narrowly won against Republican candidate Rudolph Giuliani, marking a significant political shift in New York City.

His administration focused on racial unity, crime reduction, and economic development, though it faced challenges such as rising crime rates and economic struggles. Despite serving only one term (1990–1993), his legacy remains influential in NYC politics.

On this date in 1977, Erroll Garner passed away. He was an influential jazz pianist and composer, best known for his timeless jazz standard “Misty.” His distinctive, swinging style and innovative use of melody, rhythm, and harmony made him one of the most beloved pianists of his era.

Garner was largely self-taught and had an unmatched ability to play complex pieces by ear. His 1955 album “Concert by the Sea” became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. Despite never learning to read sheet music, he captivated audiences worldwide with his rich, orchestral piano sound.

His legacy continues to inspire jazz musicians today. ?

On this date in 1977, Ellis Wilson, an influential African American painter, passed away on January 2, 1977. Born in 1899 in Mayfield, Kentucky, Wilson was known for his vibrant depictions of African American life in the rural South and the Caribbean.

One of his most famous works, “Funeral Procession“, gained widespread recognition after being featured in an episode of The Cosby Show. Throughout his career, Wilson faced challenges due to racial barriers in the art world but remained dedicated to his craft, creating expressive paintings that captured the dignity and resilience of Black communities.

His legacy continues to inspire artists today.

On this date in 1970, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, a prominent educator, minister, and civil rights leader, was named president of the Atlanta Board of Education on January 2, 1970. His appointment was historic, as he became the first Black president of the board, marking a significant step in the fight for educational equality in the segregated South.

Mays, who was President-Emeritus of Morehouse College, was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a lifelong advocate for social justice and educational reform. His leadership in Atlanta’s education system helped push forward efforts to desegregate schools and improve educational opportunities for Black students.

At the time, the United States population was approximately 293.2 million, with the Black population at 22.6 million (11.1%). His appointment symbolized progress in a changing America, where African Americans were gaining more leadership roles in public institutions.

On this date in 1970, Clifton Reginald Wharton Jr. made history on January 2, 1970, when he became the president of Michigan State University (MSU). This was a groundbreaking moment, as he was the first African American president of a major U.S. university.

Wharton was a highly accomplished academic, economist, and leader. His tenure at MSU was marked by efforts to strengthen the university’s academic programs, expand international education, and improve diversity and inclusion.

Later in his career, he served as Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, became the Chairman and CEO of TIAA-CREF, and even served as Deputy Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton.

His leadership at MSU remains a significant milestone in higher education history.

On this date in 1968, actor Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York. He is an Academy Award-winning actor best known for his roles in films like Boyz n the Hood (1991) , Jerry Maguire (1996) , where he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and Men of Honor (2000) . Throughout his career, he has taken on a variety of roles in drama, comedy, and action films, making him one of Hollywood’s recognizable talents.

On this date in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) launched a voter registration drive in Selma, Alabama. This effort was part of the broader fight for African American voting rights in the South.

Selma was chosen because Black residents faced significant barriers to voting, including literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation. The campaign led to the Selma to Montgomery marches, including the infamous “Bloody Sunday” on March 7, 1965, when peaceful marchers were brutally attacked by law enforcement.

These events helped push for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed discriminatory voting practices. The Selma movement remains a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

On this date in 1915, Historian John Hope Franklin was born. He was a highly influential historian, scholar, and educator, best known for his work on African American history and the broader narrative of race in the United States.

His groundbreaking book, From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans, first published in 1947, remains one of the most important texts on African American history. Franklin’s work significantly shaped the study of U.S. history, emphasizing the integral role African Americans played in shaping the nation.

Beyond academia, Franklin was an advocate for civil rights, working alongside leaders like Thurgood Marshall during the legal battle that led to Brown v. Board of Education (1954). He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

His contributions left a lasting legacy in historical scholarship and social justice.

On this date in 1898, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was born on, in Philadelphia, PA, and she made history as a trailblazing African American woman in academia and law.

She became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in economics in 1921 from the University of Pennsylvania. Later, she also earned a law degree from the same university in 1927, making her the first African American woman to graduate from Penn Law.

Alexander was a lifelong advocate for civil rights, economic justice, and gender equality. She played a significant role in the NAACP and was appointed by President Truman to the Committee on Civil Rights. Her contributions helped pave the way for future generations of Black professionals in both economics and law.

On this date in 1872, the Mississippi Legislature convened, and John R. Lynch, at the age of 24, was elected Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives. This election made him the first African American to hold this position in Mississippi and any state legislature.

Born into slavery on September 10, 1847, in Vidalia, Louisiana, Lynch was freed during the Civil War and moved to Natchez, Mississippi. There, he became active in the Republican Party and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1869. His peers recognized his leadership abilities, leading to his election as Speaker in 1872.

Following his tenure as Speaker, Lynch was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1872, serving multiple terms. He was a vocal advocate for civil rights, notably supporting the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which aimed to prohibit racial discrimination in public accommodations.

Lynch’s achievements during the Reconstruction era highlight the significant contributions of African American leaders in shaping post-Civil War American politics.

Organized by Daniel Rudd, a Black Catholic journalist and activist, the Congress brought together over 100 Black Catholic men from across the United States to advocate for civil rights and greater inclusion within the Catholic Church. It marked a significant moment of religious and racial solidarity and empowerment.

On this day, free Black residents of Philadelphia, led by Reverend Absalom Jones and joined by 70 other free Black men, submitted a historic petition to the U.S. Congress. The petition called for the abolition of the international slave trade, the gradual emancipation of enslaved individuals in the United States, and legal protections for free Black people against kidnapping and forced enslavement. Introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Robert Waln, the petition sparked debate but did not lead to legislative action.