The 365 Black History serious is designed to give our community a chance to learn and appreciate the achievement, struggles and experience of our ancestors, inventors, business people, scientific, educators, children and more.

On May 2nd in Black History:

1844 – Elijah McCoy, master inventor, born

You have more than likely heard the phrase “the real McCoy”, Elijah is the person behind it. This was because his inventions, creations and engineering were second to none. Thus when people were buying things, they wanted to ensure they were getting an actual invention by the man himself, Elijah McCoy, and request “The Real McCoy”.

He held over 50 patents for his inventions.

1920 – First game of the National Negro Baseball League was played in Indianapolis.

The Negro National League was established in 1920 led by Rube Foster, owner and manager of the Chicago American Giants, and a coalition of team owners. The NNL began in a Kansas City YMCA. The league ran from 1920 to 1931 and was the first and most successful African American baseball circuit to date.

1968 – Poor People’s March led by Ralph Abernathy

Many people don’t know much about the Poor People’s movement because it isn’t something the American educational system promotes, but it was one of Dr. Martin Luther King’s final projects. In fact, many speculate this one might be a major contributing factor as to why he was assassinated.