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…
- February 9: Birthday of African American writer and poet Alice Walker, 1944.
- February 10: Birthday of African American soprano opera singer Leontyne Price, 1927.
- February 11: On this day in 1644, the first legal protest in America was pressed by eleven black people who petitioned for freedom.
- February 12: Birthday of the first Black late-night talk show host Arsenio Hall, 1956.
- February 13: On this day in 1892, the first African American performers, Worlds Fair Colored Opera Company, appeared at Carnegie Hall.
- February 14: Birthday of actor, dancer, singer, and choreographer Gregory Oliver Hines, 1946.
- February 15: On this day in 1848, Benjamin Roberts filed the first school desegregation suit in Boston after his daughter Sarah Roberts was barred from a public school based on her race.
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.