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 3rd in Black History:

1921 – Sugar Ray Robinson, middleweight boxing champion, was born.

Robinson was an amazing fighter. In many boxing afficianado circles, he is regarded as the greatest boxer to ever lace up gloves, a title often reserved for Muhammad Ali. Robinson finished his professional career with an astounding 128-1-2 record with 84 knockouts.

From 1943 to 1951, Robinson won 91 straight fights. Believe it or not, this is good for only 3rd on the list of winning streaks. Fighters during this era were gladiators engaging in combat at a far more frequent rate as boxers of the modern generation.

1933 – James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, born.

There isn’t much that hasn’t been said about the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. He was a singer, song writer, record producer, dancer, band leader and musical revolutionary. He enjoyed a career spanning six decades and highly influenced music and entertainment for generations to follow.

1948 – Supreme Court ruled in Shelley v Kraemer

The ruling said federal and state courts could not enforce restrictive covenants which barred persons from owning or occupying property because of their race. These legal covenants were used to promote the redlining of Black people out of certain areas and herd them into others.

Although this case ruled out legal redlining, the implicit process remained in practice after it for decades. Many believe it still is active today.