DAVIS, HARRY EDWARD (26 Dec. 1882 - 4 Feb.
Category: African American History
DAVIS, RUSSELL HOWARD (29 Oct. 1897-14 Nov. 1976), teacher, administrator, civic activist, and historian of Cleveland's black community, was born in Cleveland to Jacob and Rosalie (Dite) Davis. He earned his bachelor's degree from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University (1920), a degree in chemical engineering from Case School of Applied Science (1922), and a master's degree in education from WRU (1933).
DILLARD, WILLIAM HARRISON (8 July 1923-15 November 2019) was a runner and an Olympic champion.
DORR, DAVID, was the author of the first book known to be published by an African American in Cleveland. His travelogue, The Colored Man around the World, was published in 1858. Dorr traveled to Europe, North Africa, and Asia as a slave. He escaped after his arrival back in the U.S. when the freedom he had been promised by his master was denied.
The E. F. BOYD & SON FUNERAL HOME, INC., one of the oldest African American funeral homes in Cleveland, was founded by ELMER FRANKLIN BOYD in 1905. The following year he took in a partner, Lewis J. Dean, and their business was located at 2604 Central Ave. Dean left the business in 1911. The firm moved to 2276 E. 43rd in 1919; and to 2165 E.
The ELIZA BRYANT VILLAGE (incorporated on September 1, 1896) opened on August 11 1897 as the Cleveland Home for Aged Colored People and was the first nonreligious institution sponsored by African Americans in Cleveland.
EVANS, ARMEN G. (20 July 1895 - 12 September 1975) was an AFRICAN AMERICAN pediatrician and medical researcher and life-long Clevelander.
FAYETTE, JOHN SYKES (1810?
The FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSN., a financial institution organized to support local black entrepreneurs, was established in June 1974 by Cleveland lawyer John H. Bustamante and 4 partners. Originally known as the First Bank & Trust, it opened for business at 232 Superior Ave. with $2.5 million in capital, and the following year its assets grew to $15.2 million with a net income of $90,336.
FLEMING, THOMAS W. (13 May 1874-18 Jan. 1948) was the first African American elected to CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL and an active Republican politician until his indictment in 1929. Born to Thomas and Lavina (Green) Fleming in Meadville, PA, Fleming arrived in Cleveland in 1893 to work as a barber.
FLEWELLEN, ICABOD (06 July 1916 - 20 July 2001), student, curator, activist, citizen, and community servant was a long-time resident of HOUGH best known for his extensive collection of African-American historical artifacts and memorabilia.
FORTE, ORMOND ADOLPHUS (17 Dec. 1887-14 Jan. 1959) earned the honorary title of "dean of Cleveland Negro newspapermen" for his efforts in publishing 3 black weeklies over a span of 4 decades. A native of Barbados, British West Indies, he was educated there at Harrison College.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS'S VISITS to Cleveland were made in the 1840s, 1850s, and 1860s to promote equal rights for AFRICAN AMERICANS. While the ex-slave sometimes came to the abolitionist Western Reserve at the bidding of white reformers, he more often came to address African Americans who were active in the movement, to improve their condition. On 11 Sept.
The FREEDMEN'S FESTIVAL, an annual early fall celebration held by Cleveland blacks (see AFRICAN AMERICANS) to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation and acknowledge the struggle to end slavery in the U.S., began in 1863.
FUQUA, HARVEY (27 July 1929 - 6 July 2010), gained prominence as a singer at Motown Records who influenced the careers of many 70’s soul and pop groups, and who was associated with artists such as Etta James, Marvin Gaye, and The Spinners.
The FUTURE OUTLOOK LEAGUE was formed in Feb. 1935 to help obtain jobs for African Americans residing in the Central area. Dissatisfied with the employment accomplishments of existing organizations, JOHN O. HOLLY, who later held political office in the area, helped found the league and served as its first president.
GARVIN, CHARLES H. (27 Oct. 1890-17 July 1968), physician, civic leader, and businessman interested in black social and economic programs, was born in Jacksonville, Fla. and graduated from Howard University's medical school in 1915. He practiced medicine in Cleveland from 1916 until his death. During WORLD WAR I, he became the first black physician commissioned in the U.S.
GASSAWAY, HAROLD T. (5 Aug. 1893-13 Apr. 1952), black lawyer and Republican politician, was born in Anderson, S.C. to Carrie P. Walls and Mark Gassaway.
GEORGE, CLAYBORNE (26 Mar. 1888-24 Dec. 1970), councilman and Civil Service Commission member, was born in Surry, Va., to Bolling T. and Cornelia Brown George. He received his bachelor's degree from Howard in 1915 and graduated from that law school in 1917. George served in France as a 1st lieutenant in WORLD WAR I.
GEORGE, ZELMA WATSON (8 Dec. 1903-3 July 1994) became a symbol of African American achievement in several fields ranging from operatic diva to United Nations diplomat. A native of Hearn, Tex., she was the daughter of Samuel and Lena Thomas Watson. Moving with her family to Chicago, she earned a sociology degree from the Univ. of Chicago and studied voice at the American Conservatory of Music.
GETHSEMANE BAPTIST CHURCH was founded in 1900 as a Baptist mission for AFRICAN AMERICANS at East 25th and Pittsburgh Avenue. In 1919, under the leadership of Rev. Washington M.
GILLESPIE, CHESTER K. (4 Apr. 1897-22 Mar. 1985), lawyer and Republican politician known as "Mr. Civil Rights," and part of Cleveland's black community agitating for immediate integration, was born in Home City, Ohio, to Warren and Lulu Trail Gillespie. The family moved to Cleveland about 1909. After attending Ohio State University, Gillespie earned a law degree from Baldwin-Wallace College Law School in 1920.
HAGGINS, ISAAC SR., (18 Aug.
HARGRAVE, MASON ALEXANDER (20 Mar.1923-12 Dec. 1988) was an African-American community activist best known for his work with the UNIVERSAL NEGRO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.
HARPER, WILLIARD FLEMMETT (1 August 1922-23 November 2015), was an educator, United Nations diplomat and administrator, and philanthropist. He was born in Conyers, Georgia, and moved to Cleveland with his parents, Annie Mae Veal Harper and Huel Harper.