1886 – First African American Nursing School Opens
On this day in 1886, Spelman College (then known as Spelman Seminary) in Atlanta, Georgia, established what is widely recognized as the first nursing school for African American women. The program provided Black women with an important pathway into professional nursing during an era of racial segregation and limited educational opportunities. It continued until 1928 and helped lay an important foundation for the advancement of Black nurses and nursing education in America.
1967 – NAACP Hosts First Image Awards
On this day in 1967, the NAACP held its first Image Awards in Beverly Hills, California. The awards were originally conceived as a fundraising idea from stuntwoman and NAACP member Toni Vaz. The ceremony honored Black achievements and artistry in a time when Black entertainers were often overlooked or stereotyped in the industry. The Image Awards have since grown into a major annual celebration of Black excellence in film, television, music, literature, and theater.
