September 1
Phillis Wheatley Publishes Poems
In September 1773, Phillis Wheatley published "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" in London. Brought to America as an enslaved child from West Africa, she became an international literary sensation and her work was used by abolitionists to argue against claims of Black intellectual inferiority.
Colin Kaepernick Takes a Knee
On September 1, 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem before an NFL game. His protest against police brutality and racial injustice ignited a movement that spread across sports. Though he was effectively blacklisted from the NFL, his stand became one of the most significant athletic protests since the 1968 Olympics.
Great Zimbabwe at Its Peak
Great Zimbabwe was the capital of a prosperous Shona trading empire in southern Africa. At its peak, the city housed up to 18,000 people and was a hub of trade connecting the African interior to the Swahili Coast and beyond to India and China. Its massive stone walls, built without mortar, are among the most impressive architectural achievements in pre-colonial Africa.
Launch of the Black Computing Scholars Program
The Black Computing Scholars Program was launched to support Black students in computing.
Birth of Dr. Ruha Benjamin
Ruha Benjamin, a sociologist and author focused on race and technology, was born.
Launch of the Black Tech Pipeline
The Black Tech Pipeline was launched to connect Black talent with tech opportunities.
Founding of the Blackwell School
The Blackwell School was established to promote education and support for African American students.