1901- Sterling A. Brown Is Born
Born on Howard University’s campus on May 1, 1901, Sterling Allen Brown was the son of a former slave and a Howard professor. A Dunbar High valedictorian, he earned scholarships to Williams College and Harvard, excelling in English. He credited his deepest learning to the everyday Black folk who inspired his voice.
As a poet, folklorist, and critic, Brown challenged racist stereotypes and celebrated Black culture. A longtime Howard professor, his work laid the foundation for Black studies and cultural criticism.
1929 – Evelyn Boyd Granville Is Born
Evelyn Boyd, born May 1, 1929, in Washington, D.C., overcame segregation to become the second Black woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics. A Dunbar High valedictorian, she studied math, physics, and astronomy at Smith College and earned her doctorate from Yale in 1949.
Her career spanned academia, government, and industry, with roles at NASA, IBM, and CSULA. After marrying Edward V. Granville in 1970, she continued teaching until her retirement in the late 1990s.
1939 – Max Robinson Is Born
Max Robinson, born on May 1, 1939 in Richmond, Virginia, was the first Black network news anchor and a co-founder of the National Association of Black Journalists. He gained national recognition at ABC News, known for his sharp reporting and civil rights coverage.
Despite his success, Robinson struggled with racism, depression, and alcoholism, which impacted his career. He died in 1988 from complications related to AIDS. His legacy lives on as a pioneering voice in American journalism.
