In honor of Black History Month, the City of Portage has created a special Black History Month Calendar. Join us each week as we share landmark events and birthdays that appear on the calendar. This week in history…
- On this day in 1904, James Baskett became the first African American man to win an Academy Award.
- Birthday of Professional basketball player Michael Jordan, 1963.
- Birthday of author Toni Morrison, 1931 and poet Audre Lorde, 1934.
- Birthday of singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson, 1940. W.E.B Du Bois organized the Pan-African Congress.
- Birthday of Barbadian singer Rihanna, 1988. Actor Sir Sidney Poitier became the first Bahamian American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964.
- Birthday of singer Nina Simone, 1933. On this day in 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated.
- Birthday of professional basketball player Julius Erving, 1950.
Download a copy of the calendar today at portagemi.gov/775 or visit the Office of the City Manager at Portage City Hall, 7900 South Westnedge Avenue, for a printed copy. Join us next week for more events in black history.