Asa Philip Randolph was born in Crescent City, Florida. His father was an African Methodist Episcopalian minister. There was no money for Randolph to go to college; he could find only menial work. In 1911 he went to New York hoping to become an actor.

In New York, the Harlem Renaissance was in full swing. Randolph attended city college and studied politics and economics, and also joined the Socialist Party. He married Lucille Green, a young widow. Randolph and Lucille were devoted to each other throughout their lifelong partnership.

In 1917, Randolph started a political magazine called The Messenger. In 1925, Randolph helped organize the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. It took twelve years to get the Brotherhood organized, but in 1937 a contract with the Pullman Company was signed. This made Randolph one of the first major Negro labor leaders in the country.

In the 40's and 50's Randolph was influential in the struggle for civil rights. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was his idea. A crowd of 250,000 people witnessed this demonstration. After the march, Randolph, Martin L. King and other leaders met with President Kennedy, and a year later the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. Over the next years Randolph was entrenched as the elder statesman of the movement.

Bill Robinson was born in Richmond, Virginia, May 25, 1878. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson started dancing for a living at the age of 6 years old in local beer gardens. He appeared as a "hoofer" or a "song and dance man".

For 25 years Robinson was well known as a nightclub and musical comedy performer, he became one of the toasts of Broadway.

In 1908 Robinson was earning as much as $3500 a week. There are many stories about Robinson. He set a world's record of 8.2 seconds for the 75-yard backward dash, he consumed ice-cream by the quarts and in celebration of his 61st birthday in 1939, he danced down Broadway from Columbus Circle to 44th Street.

Robinson appeared in numerous broadway shows and movies. In Robinson's late sixties he was still able to dance almost as well as he ever could. Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson passed on in 1949. In Harlem, schools were closed, and thousands of people lined the streets for a chance to view their beloved Bojangles once more. Politicians Black and White eulogized him, his funeral was said to have been more lavish than any other Negro of the time.

Born Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata, in New York City. Canada Lee distinguished himself as a boxer. When he was blinded in one eye he quit the ring. He started acting during the time of the Negro Frederal Theater Project.

During the 1930s and 1940s he played nonsterotypical roles. Roles that were not traditional for negro actors at that time. Lee is remembered most for his role as Bigger Thomas, in the 1941 Broadway production of Native Son. Lee also played a memorable role in the movie, "Lifeboat"(1944).

Actor's like Lee had it hard and Lee became very outspoken concerning the casting of Negroes in partiular roles.

Canada Lee was Blacklisted because he belonged to "Communist front organizations. Lee was banned from appearing on television, his life had been his acting. Being blacklisted broke his spirit and broke him financially. He died penniless in England

Lee had many friends and loved ones that mourned his untimely death.

Even now, years after his death, his peers remember him fondly and recognize him as one of the great actors of his time. What Lee suffered, no man should have had to go through, yet, the fight for Black actors in Hollywood goes on.

About five years ago when this site was started, there was little or no information on the internet or in print about Canada Lee. This author, as a child saw his performance in "Lifeboat", and that movie always stayed in the back of my mind because he was the first Colored actor I had ever seen in a movie that was not a 'race movie'. When I started this project he was one of the first people I wanted to learn more about and share. I will continue to study this man and add more info as I learn more.

Latino Facts: In 1822-1823, Joseph Marion Hern�ndez of Florida became the first Latino to serve in Congress.

The 1st influential Latino politician of the 20th century is, without a doubt, Mexico in 1888, Ch�vez was forced to leave school in the seventh grade to help provide for his family. He continued his education by studying at the Albuquerque Public Library, an experience that would cement his dedication to improving educational programs.

After failing in his first attempt at political office, Ch�vez stumped for a Democratic Senate candidate and was subsequently given a clerkship. Working as a Senate clerk during the day, at night Ch�vez studied law at Georgetown University and later returned to New Mexico where he put his law degree to use practicing criminal law.

In 1922 Ch�vez was elected to the State House of Representatives where he excelled in supporting education. In 1930 he won his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives and served until 1935. His influence during his congressional term allowed him to run for a Senate seat in 1934. This hotly contested campaign ended with Ch�vez' defeat by a narrow margin and claims of election fraud. Before anything could be proven, the governor of New Mexico appointed Ch�vez Senator. Two years later Ch�vez won the Senate seat outright.

Throughout his 3 decades in Senate service, Ch�vez supported the New Deal programs of President Roosevelt, introduced equal rights legislation in 1944, and improved the interstate highway system, harbors and waterways during the 1950's. Ch�vez' work to improve education and efforts to end racial discrimination earned him a place as one of the pioneers in Latino political history.

Waters was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the slums of Philadelphia. She was the child of a teenage rape victim. Waters claims she raised herself and just ran wild. Waters had very little schooling. By the time she was eight years old she worked as a domestic. As a child she began performing at church functions. As a teenager she was known for her "hip shimmy shake."

In 1917 she started performing in an all Negro vaudeville group. On stage she was called Mama Stringbean, because of her tall and lithe build. Ms. Waters was the first Negro star of a radio show. In 1938 she gave a recital at Carnegie Hall.

Ms. Waters was one of America's most celebrated and highest paid entertainers. Irving Berlin wrote four songs just for her to perform on Broadway in the play "As Thousands Cheer"

At the Cotton Club she introduced the song "Stormy Weather," which she said was about her life. Waters acted on Broadway and later in the movies. In 1949 she was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role in the movie "Pinky."

In her later years she toured with Billy Graham's ministry until her death in 1977.

Thomas Wright Waller was born on May 21, 1904 to the Reverend Edward and Mrs Waller. Young Thomas and his mother shared a close relationship in music. She was an organist, pianist and a singer. It was she who encouraged her son in music. At the age of 10 he was playing piano and organ at student concerts and organ at his father's church, one of the largest congregations in the country.

Fats didn't do well in school. He said his head was too filled with music. In 1918 a great event happened. Fats substituted for the ailing organist at the famous Lincoln theater where he first played a $10,000 Wurlitzer organ. Fats claimed that playing that organ in that theater was one of the great thrills of his life. He became the Lincoln organist for $23.00 a week and school days were over.

During the 20's Fats came under the tutelage of James P. Johnson, one of Harlem's great piano players. Fats' star began to rise and he was in continual demand for clubs and social events throughout Harlem. He began to write music. At 25 he wrote the score for a revue called "HOT CHOCOLATE " which included his famous "AIN'T MISBEHAVIN". In the 20's and 30's he brought out "HONEYSUCKLE ROSE", and "I'VE GOT A FEELING I'M FALLING".

Fats played a rollicking stride piano, and his love for life and music gleamed in every piece he played. His music takes the listener into places where life is. The listener is at the party where "THE JOINT IS JUMPIN" and feels Fats' wistfulness in "I'M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOW AND WRITE MYSELF A LETTER. Fats delivered his views of life directly to the listener, one to one.

He was also famous for his one line comments that popped up in his playing. Those comments and that stride piano style made listeners feel as though they were sitting right next to him. Long after his death in 1943, the smash musical revue " AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' " opened in the 70's to honor both his music and his personality.

Thomas "Fats" Waller died December 23, 1943 on a train coming home from entertaining miltary personnel. He had planned to spend Christmas at home with his wife and two boys, but his exhausted condition could not fight off an illness. His most famous ad lib line seemed to prophesy his death. "One never does know, do one?"

This blues legend started life January 21, 1885 near Mooringsport, Louisiana. Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter left home at 21 to play and sing his music all over Texas and Louisiana. When he couldn't play his music, he worked as a laborer. He also had a temperament that landed him in jail. Once, after serving 7 years in a Texas prison, he begged the governor with a song for his release. A pardon was granted.

Leadbelly legends are still told amongst Bluesmen. His songs are as popular as ever. A master at playing the twelve string guitar, he could also play the mandolin, accordion, piano, and harmonica.

In the 1930s, Leadbelly was introduced to New York's Harlem community. By 1940 he was well known, particularly in England, where his work influenced later bands like the Beatles. He found his greatest following on college campuses. In 1988 he was inducted to the "Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame.

Jesse was named JC Owens by his father, and later called Jesse Cleveland Owens. He was born in Danville, Alabama. His parents were sharecroppers, and later moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Owens was a sickly child and suffered from chronic bronchial congestion and even pneumonia.

Jesse overcame his childhood illnesses to set his first track record when he was in junior high school. In high school he set national records. At Ohio State University he was the first Negro to be elected the captain of the track team and was an All-American.

In 1936 he won a place on the Olympic team. At the Olympics in Berlin, Owens was the star attraction. He won four gold metals. Owens returned home aboard the Queen Mary, and thousands greeted him on the pier. There were no endorsement campaigns in those days, so Owens worked a variety of jobs. He spent a lifetime working with underprivileged youth.

In Berlin, a street leading to the Olympic stadium is named Jesse Owens Allee. Owens traveled the world as an Ambassador of Sports representing the US. From President Eisenhower to Carter, Owens was recognized by each administration. Owens is a recipient of the Medal of Freedom and also received a Living Legend Award in 1979.

Johnny Otis was born John Veliotes in Vallejo, California, December 28, 1921. He was the son of Greek immigrant parents. Otis was a youngster when he made a conscious break with the white world, he has been Black ever since. Otis is a pioneer of Rhythm and Blues.

A musician, Otis debuted in 1939 with the West Oakland House Rockers. In 1941 he left Berkley and toured with several bands and finally settled in Los Angeles. He worked with a number of other bands before he headlined his own.

Otis with his west coast sound, discovered many talented artist. Esther Phillips, Jackie Wilson, Etta James are just a couple of the many that Otis discovered. He went to perfoem with many others. During the 50's Otis had songs in the top ten on Billboard's list and had one of the hottest musical attractions in the Black America. The California R&B; Caravan was a hot ticket.

Otis also was part owner of the "Barrelhouse" night spot in L.A. Otis went on to radio, he became one of the most popular radio DeeJays in southern California. From his radio show, it led to his weekly televison show, "The Johnny Otis Show" lasted eight years in Los Angeles. Otis is a prominent figure in the history of R&B.; Otis has been inducted to the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock&Roll; Hall of Fame.

Latino Facts: The 1st Latino Medal of Honor recipient during World War II was Private Jose P. Martinez 1943.

Second only in historical significance to the flight made at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina by the Wright brothers, the flight of the rocket-plane X-1 on October 14, 1947 by Captain Chuck Yeager saw mankind break the sound barrier and take its first steps towards the exploration of space. Like many test planes of that period, the Bell X-1 was dropped from a mother-plane once it had reached a predetermined height and speed. Piloting the B-29 that released the X-1 on its supersonic voyage that day was Major Robert Cardenas, a renowned test pilot in his own right.

In 1929 Jack Northrop created the first of man experimental tail-less aircraft. Although the plane drew attention primarily for its unique design, the Army Air Corps placed no orders for the plane. With the advent of the Second World War, the tail-less aircraft picked up supporters. One of the 1st rocket powered airplanes in America was designed and built by Northrop during the war. However, once again no tail-less craft were ever put into service. With the end of the war, a new plane was needed to deliver a heavy bomb payload over 8,000 miles.

Northrop seized the opportunity and created one of the largest piston driven airplanes in the YB-35 flying wing. When jet engines were added, the plane was redesigned into the YB-49. The YB-49 attained a ceiling of 42,000 feet and a maximum speed of 520 mph when its first tests were performed in late 1947.

In 1949 Cardenas as assigned chief of flight tests on the YB-49 and flew non-stop from Muroc Air Force Base (present-day Edwards AFB) in California to Andrews AFB in Washington, D.C where President Truman personally inspected the YB-49. This record-making transcontinental flight averaged 511 mph and covered 2258 miles in 4 hours and 20 minutes. However, on the return flight the YB-49 experience difficulties and the project was abruptly canceled. Many people claim that the YB-49 had been tampered with in order for Boeing Corp. to beat Northrop for the right to build a transcontinental bomber.

The Northrop YB-49 proved that a flying wing was aerodynamically feasible and could be used to carry heavy loads across the continent. Northrop's belief in the flying wing concept later became the basis for the modern day B-2 "Stealth" bomber. Cardenas ended his distinguished career as a Major General in the United States Air Force having ushered in the technological marvel that is the flying wing.

William Christopher Handy changed the course of popular music. He integrated Negro folk music into the popular style of the period, ragtime. He created a new style of music, the Blues.

Handy was born in a log cabin in Florence, Alabama, the son of former slaves. His father and grandfather were African Methodist Episcopal ministers, and Handy learned early on the sounds of sacred hymns and Negro spirituals.

Handy worked as a school teacher and bandmaster, conducting his own orchestra from 1903 to 1921. He incorporated into his compositions the "blue" sounds and melodies characteristic of Negro folk music. Forced to publish his "St. Louis Blues" himself, he organized a publishing firm, which he directed until late in his life.

by Lindsey Page

W.E.B. Dubois is acknowledged as one of the most influential Blacks of the 20th century. He was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on February 23, 1868. He was an only child. His father left the family when he was very young. He was very close to his mother because she was partially disabled.

Dubois excelled in school, and when his mother died suddenly, four benefactors recognized his academic talent and helped him get into to Fisk University. After two years there, he was accepted at Harvard. His study of Negroes in the South convinced him that much work was needed to help the Negro overcome the conditions in which they lived. Education was a must and first.

Dubois was a committed socialist, but he left the party because of racism. He was a founding member of NAACP in 1909. During the McCarthy era, Dubois refused to sign a statement saying that he was not a communist. He was widely criticized for his political views and misunderstood by his own Negro and colleagues. He spent the last years of his life in Ghana.