AROUND THE REGION facts

JUNE 1 - 7, 2023

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

a major party into a campaign for the White House.

JUNE 4

1961 – Soul crooner El DeBarge, who became a star with his siblings in the early 1980s before enjoying a successful solo career, is born.

1972 – Angela Davis, famed civil rights activist and Black Panther Party affiliate, is acquitted by an all-white jury in San Jose, California, of conspiracy charges stemming from a 1970 courtroom shootout.

JUNE 5

1945 – John Carlos, a Black American track and field athlete best known for raising a Black gloved fist alongside Tommie Smith at the 1968 Olympics during the American national anthem after winning a bronze medal, is born.

1973 – Doris A. Davis is elected as mayor of Compton, California, making her the first-ever African American woman elected mayor of a metropolitan city.

JUNE 6

1966 – James Meredith, the first African American student admitted to the segregated University of Mississippi, is shot in Mississippi by a white man during a civil rights march.

JUNE 1

1864 – Solomon George Washington Dill, a poor white Southern man who supported an end to slavery and Black demands for social justice, is murdered by angry whites for giving what some whites considered an "incendiary speech" to a group of South Carolina Blacks.

JUNE 2

1951 – Kenneth Chenault, CEO and chairman of American Express, is born in Mineola, New York. He is the third Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

1989 – Freddie Adu, soccer player and former member of D.C. United, is born in Tema, Ghana. In January 2004, he became the youngest American ever to sign a professional sports contract after be was selected by the United in the Major League Soccer draft.

JUNE 3

1906 – Josephine Baker, the world-renowned American-born French singer, dancer and actress, is born. In 1934, Baker became the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture ("Zotuou"). She also became an avowed civil rights activist, speaking out against the racism and segregation she faced as a performer in the United States.

1950 – Deniece Williams, Grammy-winning R&B and gospel music star, is born. Known for her four-octave range, Williams sang backup for Stevie Wonder and recorded a string of successful duets with Johnny Mathis before her breakout pop hit, "Let's Hear it for the Boy."

2008 – Barack Obama clinches the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first Black candidate to lead

2004 – Phylicia Rashad of "The Cosby Show" fame becomes the first Black actress to win a Tony for a leading dramatic role for her turn as Lena Younger in "A Raisin in the Sun."

JUNE 7

1943 – Nikki Giovanni, renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator, is born in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1958 – Music legend Prince, who released 39 albums, won seven Grammy Awards, an Oscar and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is born in Minneapolis. WI

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

The world and music industry continues to mourn the passing of icon Tina Turner, who died last month at age 83. How will you remember Tina? The world and music industry continues to mourn the passing of icon Tina Turner, who died last month at age 83. How will you remember Tina?

DREA BLING / WASHINGTON, DC

She was a beautiful and talented queen who was simply the best. She will be greatly missed.

CAROLYN WALKER / RALEIGH, N.C.

One of the most talented, energetic entertainers that I’ve ever seen. ‘Simply The Best’ in my heart. Rest in Peace queen.

VILLE THOMPSON / NEW HAVEN, CONN.

Rest in Peace, Queen Tina. You could feel her gospel roots as she sang her songs. And she used her own painful experience to overcome it. It all became beautiful. Legendary.

JEAN PIERRE / NORCROSS, GA.

Her second act, in my opinion, was more impressive than anything. Finally overcoming all the personal stuff but starting over with her career, and then thanks to MTV, her star power just went through the roof. A legend indeed.

BARBARA H. / WASHINGTON, DC

Rest in Peace, Queen of Rock & Roll. Tina captivated men and women alike by providing some of the most raw and riveting performances in my lifetime. Another great legend has passed and will never be forgotten!