Alex Haley

Alex Haley began his career as an author by ghost-writing love letters for his less eloquent shipmates while serving in the Coast Guard during World War II. After the war, Haley convinced the Coast Guard to let him work as a journalist, which he did until he retired...

John M. Perkins

Born into poverty in 1930 in Mississippi, John M. Perkins rose to become a civil rights legend, counselor to presidents, a towering community development leader, and one of the most important voices for civil rights in the evangelical Christian community. Perkins left...

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass never knew exactly when he was born, as birthdates were rarely recorded for slaves. But he chose to celebrate his birthday on February 14 because he liked the day for its emphasis on love and because he said he last saw his mother on...

Ruby Bridges

I’ve heard lots of great speakers at Pepperdine University over the years, but Ruby Bridges was definitely one of the most inspiring when I heard her in 2016. Ruby was sent to a previously all-white school in New Orleans when she was six years old. Every day for...

Harlem Hellfighters

The Harlem Hellfighters was one of the most highly decorated American units in World War I. They spent more time in continuous combat than any similar American unit: 191 days on the front lines and suffered more losses than any other American regiment, with more than...

Celebrating a Century

What is Black History month? It was originally founded as Negro History Week in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson to help promote and preserve information about African American life, history, and culture to the global community. The second week of February was first...