On January 24, 1972, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm officially launched her campaign for President of the United States, becoming the first Black woman to seek the nomination of a major political party. Running under the slogan “Unbought and Unbossed,” Chisholm’s historic candidacy challenged the status quo and paved the way for greater diversity in American politics.

On January 25, 1999, Reverend Henry Lyons, then-president of the National Baptist Convention USA, went on trial for embezzling millions of dollars from the organization. The high-profile case brought national attention to issues of financial accountability and leadership within major Black institutions.

On January 25, 1980, Black Entertainment Television (BET) began broadcasting from Washington, D.C. Founded by Robert L. Johnson, BET became the first Black-owned company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The network played a pivotal role in promoting Black culture and entertainment on a national scale.

On January 25, 1966, Constance Baker Motley made history by becoming the first African American woman appointed to the federal judiciary. Nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson, she served as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Motley was also a prominent civil rights attorney who played a key role in landmark desegregation cases.

Gloria Naylor, acclaimed African American novelist, was born on January 25, 1950, in New York City. She is best known for her debut novel The Women of Brewster Place, which won the National Book Award for First Novel in 1983 and was later adapted into a television miniseries produced by Oprah Winfrey.

On January 25, 1890, the National Afro-American League was founded by Timothy Thomas Fortune. As one of the first national civil rights organizations in the United States, it aimed to secure justice and equal rights for African Americans during a time of rampant discrimination and violence. The League laid the groundwork for future civil rights groups, including the NAACP.

On January 25, 1851, Sojourner Truth delivered a powerful address at the first Black Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. A formerly enslaved woman turned abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, Truth’s speech championed equality and justice, laying a foundation for future movements advocating for the rights of Black women in America.