Historical Africa

Oseola McCarty was a Mississippi philanthropist who donated most of her life savings, $150,000, to the University of Southern Mississippi to provide scholarships for African American students in need. A seamstress and washerwoman who was paid mostly in dollar bills and loose change her entire life, McCarty was praised for her generosity and received many awards, including an honorary degree from the university. McCarty was born on March 7, 1908, in Shubuta, Mississippi, and died on the 26th of September 1999 at the age of 91.

18 hours ago | [YT] | 23,997

Historical Africa

Glow powered by Melanin 😍

2 days ago | [YT] | 49,156

Historical Africa

Valerie Thomas 👏 the Black NASA physicist from Baltimore, is behind the technology that made 3D movies possible.

Valerie Thomas joined NASA in the 1960s and later invented the Illusion Transmitter, a system that creates real 3D images using mirrors.

Throughout her career at NASA, she worked on satellite image processing and helped develop systems used to analyze data from Landsat satellites.

Today, Valerie Thomas is retired from NASA and is widely recognized for her contributions to science and technology, inspiring women and young Black scientists to pursue careers in STEM.

4 days ago | [YT] | 63,410

Historical Africa

A woman from the Turkana people of Kenya 🇰🇪

6 days ago | [YT] | 29,212

Historical Africa

This was the only Black man on the Titanic. Before the ship sank, he filled his wife's pockets with money and jewelry and said, "I'll see you in New York." He never made it.

The Titanic’s story has been told countless times—the luxury, the iceberg, the tragedy. We know about the wealthy first-class passengers, the heroic crew, and the musicians who played as the ship sank. But one story was almost completely erased: that of Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche, the only Black man aboard the RMS Titanic.

Born in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, on May 26, 1886, Joseph grew up in privilege. His uncle, Cincinnatus Leconte, would become President of Haiti. Educated and fluent in French, English, and Creole, Joseph moved to France at fifteen to study engineering. By 1907, he had earned his degree and seemed poised for a bright future.

In 1908, Joseph married Juliette Lafargue, and they had two daughters, Simonne and Louise, the latter born prematurely and requiring costly medical care. Despite his qualifications, Joseph faced racial discrimination in France, where employers paid him far less than white engineers. Struggling to support his family, he decided to leave France and return to Haiti, where his uncle promised him a teaching position.

In early 1912, Juliette discovered she was pregnant again. To ensure the baby was born in Haiti, Joseph moved up their departure. The family purchased first-class tickets on La France, but after learning of the ship’s policy on children, Joseph opted for the Titanic instead.

On April 10, 1912, the Laroche family boarded the Titanic in Cherbourg, France, settling in a second-class cabin. Though some passengers made rude comments about their interracial family, they enjoyed the voyage, imagining their new life in Haiti.

Then, on April 14, at 11:40 p.m., the Titanic struck an iceberg. Joseph rushed his family to the deck. Knowing the "women and children first" rule meant he wouldn’t be allowed on a lifeboat, he stuffed Juliette’s coat with money and jewels—everything he had. He made sure his wife and daughters got on a lifeboat. As it descended, he said, “I’ll see you in New York.”

Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche died when the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. His body was never recovered. Juliette and their daughters were rescued by the RMS Carpathia and returned to France. She later gave birth to a son, naming him Joseph.

For decades, Joseph’s story was forgotten. But in the 1990s, his descendants uncovered his name, and his legacy was finally remembered. Joseph’s sacrifice—and the erasure of his story—reminds us that even in history’s greatest tragedies, some lives are overlooked. But now, we know his name. We remember.

Rest in power, Joseph. 🕊

1 week ago | [YT] | 15,553

Historical Africa

Honouring the 1st US Army Black Female Pilot - Millie Bailey. She served in WWII and was 104 years old when she passed away in May of 2022.

1 week ago | [YT] | 56,710

Historical Africa

Sister from Senegal 🇸🇳 ❤️ 😍

1 week ago | [YT] | 44,763

Historical Africa

Dr Mae Carol Jemison, the first Black woman in space and first actual astronaut to appear on a Star Trek.

1 week ago | [YT] | 14,442

Historical Africa

My hair is my crown 👑 😍

1 week ago | [YT] | 35,848

Historical Africa

The world knew him as "Blind Tom" Wiggins, a musical prodigy, one of the best-known American performing pianists of the 19th century.

Born in Harris County, Georgia, in 1849, to enslaved parents, because Tom was blind, he could not do the same work as others enslaved. Finding an interest and much talent in playing the piano at a young age, he composed his first tune by the age of five. And he was known to play all day. As one observer said about Tom , "I don't exaggerate when I say that he made the piano go from twelve hours out of twenty-four."

Tom performed worldwide, including at the U.S. White House, where it is believed he was the first African-American to perform, doing so when he was just eleven years old.

Tom dıed of a stroke at the home of Eliza Bethune Lerche, his former manager, after years of seclusion following a major stroke in 1904.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 13,946