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Posts published in “African-American Firsts”

R.I.P. Charles V. Bush, the First Black Page in the U.S. Supreme Court

By goodblacknews on December 1, 2012

2CharlesBushAccording to UPI.com, Charles V. Bush, the first African-American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court page, and one of the first black Air Force Academy graduates, has died in Montana. He was 72.  Bush’s wife, Bettina Bush, told The Washington Post he died from colon cancer Nov. 5 at his home in Lolo.

Bush, who grew up in segregated Washington, was fourteen years old when he was named a Supreme Court page in July 1954. Bush worked primarily in the anteroom of Chief Justice Earl Warren, who sought the appointment of an African-American.  Bush was a member of the debate and rugby teams and a squadron commander at the Air Force Academy, before graduating in 1963.

Bush also served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, overseeing intelligence teams during the Tet Offensive and the Battle of Khe Sanh, the Post said.  He left the Air Force in 1970 with the rank of captain. His son, Chip Bush, said the elder Bush left in part because he thought he was overlooked for a promotion due to his race.

Besides his work in the corporate sector, Bush was a diversity consultant to the Air Force and the Air Force Academy, the Post said. His corporate career included work in executive-level positions for companies, including Max Factor and Hughes Electronics.  Survivors include his wife, three children, his mother, a sister, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  To learn more about Bush’s life and career, click here.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

African-American Judges Head Up Oklahoma’s Two Highest Courts For First Time in History

By goodblacknews on November 26, 2012

In Oklahoma, two  judges have made history by becoming the first African-Americans to head up two of the state’s highest courts.

Tom Colbert is set to become chief justice of the nine-member Oklahoma Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Colbert’s law school classmate, David B. Lewis, is poised to become presiding judge of the five-member Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.

The Tulsa World describes what both men have in common:

Both men were raised by single mothers, are former prosecutors and worked in private practice.

Both are runners – Colbert is a sprinter, while Lewis runs for distance.

And former Gov. Brad Henry appointed both as the first blacks to hold a post on their respective appeals courts.

 Colbert says he owes his success to those who came before him and paved the way for him.

The chief justice will be in charge of overseeing district courts in Oklahoma’s 77 counties. But as far as Colbert is concerned, his job doesn’t stop there. He’s looking forward to mentoring kids so that he can pass on some of what he’s learned on his road to success.

Colbert also offered a bit of advice, saying,  ”There are great opportunities out there if you believe in yourself and try to stay on the right path,” he said.  Lewis said that he happy with his achievements, but went on to say that it is important for people to understand that success doesn’t happen overnight.

article via yourblackworld.net

 

Antron Brown Makes History as First African-American Top Fuel Champion

By goodblacknews on November 12, 2012

POMONA, Calif. (AP) — Antron Brown became the first black auto-racing champion in any NHRA pro series when he won the Top Fuel title on Sunday at the season-ending event.  Brown suffered minor burns to his hands when his engine popped in an opening-round loss during eliminations, then had to wait to celebrate his victory until the final, when teammate Tony Schumacher lost in a photo finish to Brandon Bernstein.

Ninety-Seven Years Ago Today: Xavier University Was Founded

By goodblacknews on November 11, 2012
Xavier University of Louisiana is founded(Photo: Xavier University of Louisiana)

Xavier University of Louisiana began its mission to educate Native American and Black students when St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament opened its doors in New Orleans on Nov. 11, 1915. After seeing the lack of Catholic schools for higher education that catered to Blacks in the South, Drexel used her inheritance to open the institution. It started as a small high school, and later became known as Xavier Prep A. Normal School. The school taught the few career fields open to Blacks at the time and grew into an institution that taught 47 major areas on the undergraduate, graduate and professional degree levels. The co-ed liberal arts college remains the only historically black Roman Catholic college in the country. 

article by Dorkys Ramos via bet.com

 

 

First Black Sheriff Elected In Richmond County, GA

By goodblacknews on November 9, 2012

The Augusta Chronicle reports in the state of Georgia, Lt. Richard Roundtree beat out Republican Freddie Sanders Tuesday night to become the first African-American Sheriff Elect in Augusta, Georgia, including Richmond County and surrounding counties.

Roundtree’s appointment to top lawman in the county will be a first in the county’s 230-year history.  The lieutenant will be sworn into office in January.

article via newsone.com

Jackie Lacey Becomes Los Angeles County’s First Female and African-American DA

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
jackie lacey (Via Pasadena Star News) – Jackie Lacey made history Tuesday night, becoming the first African-American and first female chief prosecutor of Los Angeles County.

Lacey, the chief deputy district attorney, won with a substantial lead over Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson Tuesday in the race to succeed Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley.  By midnight, Lacey had all but officially declared victory and packed up her election night party at Union Station downtown.  As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, with 95 percent of precincts reporting, Lacey had 55 percent of the vote, to Jackson’s 45 percent.

Judge Wilhelmina Wright Newest Minnesota Supreme Court Justice

By goodblacknews on October 23, 2012

History was made this past Tuesday (Oct. 16) when Judge Wilhelmina Wright was sworn in as the first African-American woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court.  Wright joins Justice Alan Page as the only two African-American Minnesota Supreme Court justices. Page was elected to the Court in 1992 by the votes of the state. Wright was appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton to fill the vacancy created with the stepping down of Justice Helen Meyer.

First African American Crowned Homecoming Queen at Ole Miss

By goodblacknews on October 17, 2012

Courtney Roxanne Pearson, 21, is the first African American Homecoming Queen at the University of Mississippi crowned during halftime, Satuday, October 13, 2012.

Courtney Roxanne Pearson is the first African American Homecoming Queen at the University of Mississippi affectionately known as Ole Miss.  Pearson, 21, is a senior English education student from Memphis, Tennessee, that won the royal post by a vote of 1,477 to 1,387, according to the Daily Mail:

Keija Minor Named 'Brides' Editor-In-Chief, First African-American To Head Up A Condé Nast Magazine

By goodblacknews on September 23, 2012

Keija Minor

Keija Minor has been named the editor-in-chief of Brides, making her the first person of color to ever hold the title at a Condé Nast Publications (CNP) magazine.  To put it simply–Minor’s new appointment is major news.

Keija Minor Named ‘Brides’ Editor-In-Chief, First African-American To Head Up A Condé Nast Magazine

By goodblacknews on September 23, 2012

Keija Minor

Keija Minor has been named the editor-in-chief of Brides, making her the first person of color to ever hold the title at a Condé Nast Publications (CNP) magazine.  To put it simply–Minor’s new appointment is major news.