Black History Month: Cassidy's Creative Corner - Black Achievements (Part 3)

As Black History Month comes to an end, here are more Black American achievements. I think it’s important to learn about these people and highlight the amazing things they’ve done. 

Track Star 
In 1946, track star Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics. He finished first in the long jump, the 100 and 200 meter dashes, and the 4x100 meter relay. Owens was the first American track and field athlete to win four gold medals at a single Olympic games.

Poetry                                                                   
In 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Her book, “Annie Allen,” was awarded the prize on May 1st. Brooks wrote hundreds of poems and more than 20 books. She was the Illinois’ poet laureate from 968 until her death in 2000. Brooks wrote compassionate poetry that delved into poverty, racism, and drugs among Black people. 

Chess                                                                                                                                                             
Born In 1966, Maurice Ashley, (a chess player, author, and commentator) became the first African American to earn the title of Grandmaster in 1999. Ashley is well known as a commentator for high-profile chess events.                           

News Broadcaster                                                                                                                           
Born in 1939, Max Robinson became the first African American to anchor a nightly network newscast. Robinson was also the first African American to anchor a local news program in Washington, D.C.     

Stock Exchange                                                                                                                                
On February 13, 1970, Joseph L. Searles III became the first black floor member and floor broker in the New York Stock Exchange. He graduated and played football at Kansas State University, then played professionally for the New York Giants. 

House of Representatives
Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman elected to Congress. She represented the state of New York. Chisholm won the election to the House in 1968. Chisholm was also the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties.

Black History Month: Cassidy's Creative Corner - Black Achievements

Black History Month: Cassidy's Creative Corner - Black Achievements (Part 2)