TIMELINE OF BLACK HISTORY AND EXCELLENCE
Harlem Renaissance-World War II
Untold Stories
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1920-In a strategy to rectify years of discrimination against Black baseball players on major league teams, Andrew "Rube" Foster, a professional Black baseball player, and his colleagues initiated the Negro National League. Black baseball players throughout the Midwest were drafted into different teams in the league. As the athletes competed across the country, they demonstrated their ability to succeed at a professional level, captivating people of all races. African American baseball players today say the story of the Negro National League has taught them to hold firm in their convictions and to abolish societal injustices.
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1921-Broadway showcased Black performers in a new light with the debut of the musical Shuffle Along, featuring an all-Black cast. The musical drew enormous audiences, as people were amazed by its romance-themed synopsis and the dancers' coordination and authenticity. Shuffle Along paved the way for a multitude of Black musicals in the years that followed. In 2016, George Wolfe, an African American theater director and playwright, produced a remake of the original musical, titled "Shuffle Along or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed." This musical was praised for showcasing various facets of Black life and culture, the experiences of Black Americans in different regions of the country, and authentically telling these stories through artistic creativity.
1925-An alliance of Black attorneys in Des Moines, Iowa, created the Negro Bar Association, which has since been formally renamed the National Bar Association. This association represented Black lawyers in the U.S. and helped them obtain equal rights, opportunities, and credibility in the legal field. Since the early 2000s, the National Bar Association has initiated programs for students of color, such as the Crump Law Camp, named after the organization's former Executive Director, John Crump. The Crump Law Camp prepares students for future careers in the legal profession by teaching them about the U.S. Judicial System, analytical thinking skills, effective communication, and allowing them to participate in mock trials.
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1928-William Alexander Scott II, a Southern journalist and Morehouse graduate, commenced The Atlanta Daily World, the first thriving Black newspaper to be published regularly. The newspaper spotlighted a myriad of political and social issues impacting the lives of African Americans, such as institutionalized racism, lynchings, etc. The Atlanta Daily World also incentivized Black citizens to vote and support businesses run by Black entrepreneurs. The Atlanta Daily World still publishes content, which readers can now access through the newspaper's digital edition. The publication covers an eclectic range of topics, including economics, Black-owned businesses, spirituality, arts and culture, food, politics, and more.
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1933-The Federal Council of Negro Affairs, also referred to as the "Black Cabinet," was formed during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term. The Black Cabinet consisted of African American federal workers and Civil Rights activists, including Mary McLeod Bethune, who collectively helped improve the lives of Black Americans by increasing employment, expanding access to education, and securing benefits under FDR's New Deal. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt also worked diligently with the Black Cabinet to help them achieve their objectives. Historians now say the most meaningful takeaways from the Black Cabinet are a strong understanding of government operations and how to position oneself to bring about progress and results.
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1934-Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist, folklorist, and Harlem Renaissance writer, officially became a published author following the publication of her book, Jonah's Gourd Vine. She is also a distant cousin of mine, and her literary milestones have emboldened me to carry on her legacy as a writer. As a journalist and aspiring author, I am passionate about writing and have been published in multiple newspapers, newsletters, and magazines.
1937-Several Black actors and actresses started the Negro Actors Guild of America to foster a support system for Black performers in the theatre industry. This association was geared toward advocating for Black performers to be considered for non-stereotypical roles, helping Black actors further develop their craft, and offering social and monetary assistance. Many professionals in the entertainment industry today continue to develop strategies to promote diversity and inclusion in their film projects.
1941-With the advocacy of several Black newspapers, thousands of young Black men from across the nation are selected and trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, to become the first African American military pilots in the U.S. Army Air Forces. These aviators, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, helped the Allied Powers win World War 2 through flying missions and annihilating German aircraft and other vehicles. Dr. Tyshawn Jenkins, an African American Airforce Captain, who has served in his role since 2010, had the opportunity to hear from one of the Tuskegee Airmen, who came to speak at his high school. It was this experience that inspired him to join the airforce, and he wants others to know that the triumphs of the Tuskegee Airmen are still impactful in the U.S. Military.
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Photo by: Scurlock Studios, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
1941-Dr. Charles Drew changed the face of the American Red Cross Blood Bank as its first African American surgeon, supervising the program. During World War 2, he conceptualized a method for collecting, analyzing, and distributing blood plasma through blood banking, which helped many wounded European soldiers survive. One of his famous quotes was, "Excellence of performers will transcend artificial barriers created by man."-Dr. Charles Drew
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bernardo, J. (2008). Negro Actors Guild of America (1937-). https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/negro-actors-guild-america/
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Chavarin, M. (2025). The Tuskegee Airmen: Breaking Barriers And Soaring Into History https://soldiersangels.org/the-tuskegee-airmen-breaking-barriers-and-soaring-into-history/
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Evans, F. (2023). What Was the Role of FDR's 'Black Cabinet'? https://www.history.com/articles/franklin-roosevelt-black-cabinet-bethune
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Fertig, T. (2016). Legacy: Negro League players inspired other professionals such as musicians, artists, politicians and businessmen https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/2016/04/09/legacy-negro-league-players-inspired-other-professionals-such-musicians-artists/16591247007/
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HISTORY.com Editors, (2009). Tuskegee Airmen. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/tuskegee-airmen
Kelly, M. The Negro National League is Founded. https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/stories/inside-pitch/negro-national-league-is-founded
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Kratz, J. (2023). Dr. Charles Drew: A Pioneer in Blood Transfusions, National Archives. https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2023/02/08/dr-charles-drew-a-pioneer-in-blood-transfusions/
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National Bar Association. (2022). Crump Law Camp. https://members.nationalbar.org/NBAR/NBAR/content/youth_programs.aspx
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Pbs.org, Founder Editor- William Alexander Scott II https://www.pbs.org/blackpress/news_bios/newbios/nwsppr/atlnta/atlnta.html
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Richardson, D. 100 Years of Justice: Celebrating the Legacy of the National Bar Association, 2025. https://ourlegacybriefed.com/2025/08/01/national-bar-association/
Tanner, J. (1990-2026). Shuffle Along: The Musical at the Center of the Harlem Renaissance, https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/interactives/drop-me-off-in-harlem/theme-and-variations/shuffle-along/
Trump Kennedy Center. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/interactives/drop-me-off-in-harlem/theme-and-variations/shuffle-along/
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Zoranealehurston.com, (2026). Jonah's Gourd Vine, The New Dynamic. https://www.zoranealehurston.com/books/jonah-s-gourd-vine/
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