We honor George Crum (born George Speck), a chef and restaurateur of African American and Native American (Huron) descent, widely credited with popularizing the potato chip—a snack that became a global favorite. 🥔✨ Crum was born on July 15, 1824, in Saratoga County, New York, to Abraham Speck and Diana Tull, and had a sister,…
Bessie Blount Griffin was a remarkable physical therapist, inventor, and forensic scientist whose groundbreaking work transformed rehabilitative care for wounded soldiers and people with disabilities. Her innovations were driven by a simple yet powerful belief: everyone deserves dignity, independence, and control over their own lives. Born November 24, 1914, in Hickory (now Chesapeake), Virginia, Blount…
Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Sarah Boone, a pioneering African American inventor whose ingenuity transformed the way we care for our clothes. In 1892, Sarah Boone received U.S. Patent No. 473,563 for her improved design of the ironing board—an invention that made ironing easier and more effective, especially for sleeves and other…
A 45-year-old mother and teacher has died after experiencing complications from multiple cosmetic surgery procedures in Costa Rica, authorities and friends confirm. Regina Brumley Kerr, a beloved educator and mother of two daughters aged 20 and 7, underwent several cosmetic enhancements — including a tummy tuck, liposuction of the arms and a fat transfer —…
As we celebrate Black History Month, it is essential to recognize the many Black innovators whose ideas have quietly shaped everyday life. One such innovator is Nathaniel Alexander, the African American inventor credited with patenting an early version of the folding chair—an invention that not only transformed seating and space-saving design, but has also, over time,…
This Black History Month, we honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Patricia Era Bath — ophthalmologist, research scientist, inventor, and humanitarian. Born November 4, 1942, in Harlem, New York, Dr. Bath became a trailblazer in medicine and medical innovation. She was the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology (1973) and…
A Baton Rouge middle school counselor who had been placed on leave amid allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old former student was found dead Wednesday afternoon in what authorities are investigating as a suicide, police and school officials said. Quinton Dixon, 44, a counselor at Westdale Middle Magnet School, was discovered inside…
With heavy hearts, the nonprofit community is mourning the loss of Shirley Raines, the beloved founder and CEO of Beauty 2 The Streetz, affectionately known to many as “Ms. Shirley.” A tireless advocate for people experiencing homelessness, Raines devoted her life to serving the most vulnerable and reminding the world that dignity is a human…
A rural North Texas community is grieving after three young brothers Howard, 6; Kaleb, 8; and E.J., 9 — died Monday when they fell through ice on a frozen pond during an intense winter storm sweeping much of the United States. The boys were staying at a friend’s house across the street from the private…
The family of 13-year-old Jade Smith, who died by suicide after jumping from the Brooklyn Bridge in January 2023, is now suing New York City’s child welfare agency, alleging years of systemic failures and missteps that they say contributed to the teenager’s death. Jade’s mother, Terri Nimmo, is speaking publicly about her daughter’s death and accusing the…
