By Garry Blanson Though her name may not be widely known, Marita O.B. Occomy was a talented writer and playwright associated with the renowned “Harlem Renaissance Era.” Born on June 16, 1899, in Boston, Massachusetts, Marita was raised in a…
Tag: Garry Blanson
Our Rich Black Heritage: George Washington Williams
By Garry Blanson When I mention the names George Washington and George Washington Carver, many people have undoubtedly heard much about them. However, when I mention the name George Washington Williams, not many people can honestly say that they have…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Lincoln L. Burwell
By Garry Blanson When Black Civil Rights Marchers were attacked during the first “March On Selma,” at the hospitals that the injured were taken to was the “BURWELL INFIRMARY.” One of the things that was special about the Burwell Infirmary…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Mary L. Booker
By Garry Blanson In 1931, Mary L. Booker was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. At the age of 24, Mary moved to San Francisco, California. Next, in 1960, she started “Infinity Productions” at the Bayview Opera House (a community theatre).…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Richard Henry Boyd
At the 1895 annual meeting of The National Baptist Convention (held in St Louis, Missouri) a Black gentleman by the name of Richard Henry Boyd approached Elias C. Morris, who was the president of The National Baptist Convention at the…
Our Rich Black Heritage: C.O.R.E in Monroe
By Garry Blanson Please travel back in time with me to the “Historic Happenings” that took place in Monroe, Louisiana during “The Summer of 1964.” In April 1963, John Reddix (D.D.S.), president of the local NAACP chapter (and a leading…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Nannie H Burroughs
By Garry Blanson Nannie H. Burroughs was born on May 2, 1879, in Orange, Virginia, to John and Jennie Burroughs. In 1883, sometime after the passing of one of her sisters and her father. Nannie and her mother moved to…