On December 9, 1995, Kweisi Mfume, then a Democratic Congressman from Maryland, was unanimously elected as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). At the time, the NAACP was facing financial challenges and a leadership void. Mfume officially resigned from Congress and assumed his new role at the NAACP on February 20, 1996. During his tenure, he implemented significant reforms to address the organization’s financial issues and worked to restore its prominence in the civil rights movement.?

Craig Washington, a Democratic state legislator, won a special election to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District, succeeding the late Mickey Leland, a beloved advocate for civil rights and anti-poverty programs who died in a plane crash earlier that year. Washington became one of the few African Americans in Congress at the time and continued the legacy of progressive leadership in the district.

Tony Dorsett, star running back for the University of Pittsburgh, was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in college football. He became the first Pitt player to win the prestigious award. Dorsett rushed for over 2,000 yards in his senior season and led the Panthers to a national championship. He later had a Hall of Fame NFL career, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys.

Ralph J. Bunche, diplomat, scholar, and the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (1950), passed away at age 67 in New York City. He played a crucial role in UN peacekeeping and was Undersecretary-General of the United Nations from 1955 until his retirement in October 1971. Bunche was instrumental in mediating the 1949 Arab-Israeli Armistice Agreements and championed human rights and decolonization efforts globally.

Bill Pickett, a legendary African American cowboy, was posthumously inducted into the National Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame on December 9, 1971. Born in 1870, Pickett was a skilled rodeo performer and is credited with inventing the rodeo technique known as “bulldogging” (now called steer wrestling). As a Black cowboy in the early 20th century, he broke racial barriers in a field that rarely recognized African American talent.

Pickett performed in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and became one of the most famous cowboys of his time, paving the way for future generations of Black rodeo stars.

On this day, Tanganyika, a territory in East Africa, gained independence from British colonial rule. It became a sovereign nation with Julius Nyerere as its first Prime Minister (and later, President). Tanganyika’s independence marked a significant step in the African decolonization movement.

What about Tanzania?

In April 1964, Tanganyika united with Zanzibar (which had its own independence in January 1964) to form the modern-day nation of Tanzania — a blend of the names Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

On this day, Jack L. Cooper, the first African American radio broadcaster, launched “Search for Missing Persons,” a public service program aimed at reuniting families and individuals. The show aired in Chicago and marked one of the earliest examples of public service programming in American radio—particularly groundbreaking for being produced and hosted by a Black broadcaster.

Cooper, often called the “father of Black radio,” used his platform not just for entertainment, but also to serve and uplift the African American community.

Andrew “Rube” Foster, founder of the Negro National League (NNL) and a legendary figure in Black baseball, died on this day in 1930. Foster was instrumental in organizing Black professional baseball during the segregation era and is often called the “Father of Black Baseball.”

Following his decline in health and death, the Negro National League began to unravel. By 1931, the league disbanded, due to:

• Infighting among team owners

• Weak financial backing during the Great Depression

• Fewer star players to draw crowds

• The absence of Foster’s leadership and vision

Redd Foxx, born John Elroy Sanford in St. Louis, Missouri, was an iconic comedian and actor known for his quick wit, edgy stand-up routines, and trailblazing role in American television. He gained legendary status starring as Fred Sanford in the hit 1970s sitcom “Sanford and Son”, becoming one of the first Black actors to lead a major network TV show.

Nicknamed the “King of the Party Records,” Foxx released dozens of albums that pushed boundaries in comedy, influencing generations of stand-up comedians. His sharp humor and unapologetic style helped pave the way for Black entertainers in mainstream media.

Roy DeCarava, pioneering African American photographer, was born in New York City. He became the first African American photographer to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1952. DeCarava used his lens to document the lives, dignity, and beauty of everyday Black Americans, particularly in Harlem. His work blended fine art with social commentary, capturing jazz legends, street life, and the quiet strength of Black communities.

His groundbreaking book, The Sweet Flypaper of Life (1955), with text by Langston Hughes, is a celebrated portrayal of Harlem life. DeCarava remains a monumental figure in both photography and African American cultural history.

On this day, Pinckney Benton Stewart (P.B.S.) Pinchback became the Governor of Louisiana, making him the first African American to serve as governor of a U.S. state. He assumed office following the impeachment of Governor Henry Clay Warmoth. Pinchback served as acting governor from December 9, 1872, to January 13, 1873.

Though his term was brief, his appointment was historic during the Reconstruction Era, symbolizing the political progress African Americans were beginning to make in post-Civil War America.

The Georgia Constitutional Convention of 1867 began in Atlanta, with 33 Black delegates and 137 white delegates participating. This marked a significant moment during the Reconstruction Era, as it was one of the first times African Americans in Georgia took part in shaping the state’s laws and governance. The convention aimed to draft a new state constitution that aligned with federal requirements for readmission to the Union after the Civil War, including granting rights to formerly enslaved people.

St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian of African and Indigenous descent, was born in Lima, Peru, and became the first Black saint of the Americas. Known for his deep humility, charity, and healing abilities, he joined the Dominican Order as a lay brother. Despite the racial barriers of his time, Martin was renowned for his care for the poor, his miraculous healings, and his compassion for animals.

He is one of the most venerated saints in Latin America and the Philippines, canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. St. Martin is the patron saint of racial harmony, social justice, and public health workers.