On this day, Christopher J. Perry—pioneering Black journalist, entrepreneur, and advocate for racial equality—passed away. In 1884, he founded The Philadelphia Tribune, which remains the oldest continuously published African-American newspaper in the United States and the largest in the Greater Philadelphia area. Under his leadership, the Tribune became a vital platform for civil rights, education, and economic empowerment in the Black community.

On May 21, 1975, Lowell W. Perry was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), following his nomination by President Gerald R. Ford on May 12, 1975 . He was officially sworn into office on May 27, 1975, in a ceremony held in the White House Rose Garden, with U.S. District Judge Damon J. Keith administering the oath.? Justia Law

Perry’s appointment was historically significant, as he became the first African American to serve as Chairman of the EEOC. His diverse background included roles as an NFL player and coach, a broadcaster, a labor relations professional, and an executive at Chrysler Corporation. At Chrysler, he notably became the company’s first African American plant manager. ?Wikipedia

During his tenure at the EEOC, Perry focused on strengthening the agency’s enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and addressing systemic issues in employment practices. He served as Chairman until 1976, after which he returned to the private sector.

On May 21, 1970, the National Guard was mobilized to respond to escalating protests at Ohio State University. Both Black and white students united in demanding the termination of the university’s ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) programs and calling for the increased admission and support of Black students. The demonstration reflected broader national unrest tied to racial inequality and opposition to the Vietnam War.

Police and National Guardsmen opened fire on student demonstrators at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. The incident resulted in the death of 22-year-old honors student Willie Grimes and injuries to at least five policemen. The confrontation occurred during a time of heightened racial tensions and student activism related to civil rights and police brutality.

On May 21, 1961, Alabama Governor John Patterson declared martial law in Montgomery in response to escalating violence surrounding the Freedom Riders. The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists challenging segregation in interstate bus travel. Upon their arrival in Montgomery, they were met with violent opposition from white mobs, leading to severe beatings of the activists and journalists. ?Time Graphics

That evening, over 1,500 supporters, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., gathered at the First Baptist Church to support the Freedom Riders. A mob of approximately 3,000 white individuals surrounded the church, threatening those inside. Dr. King contacted U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who dispatched federal marshals to protect the congregation. ?EJI Calendar

In response to the unrest, Governor Patterson ordered the Alabama National Guard, under Major General Henry V. Graham, to restore order. The National Guard secured the area, and by early morning, they safely escorted those inside the church to their homes. ?Wikipedia

This intervention was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, highlighting the federal government’s role in protecting activists and enforcing desegregation laws.

On this day, Mary Jane Patterson became the first African American woman in the United States to earn a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. She received this historic honor from Oberlin College, a progressive institution known for its early commitment to coeducation and racial integration. Patterson later became a pioneering educator and served as the first Black principal of the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth (now Dunbar High School) in Washington, D.C., laying groundwork for generations of African American academic excellence.

On May 21, 1833, Oberlin College in Ohio took a groundbreaking step toward educational equality by enrolling Black students in its academic programs. It became one of the first colleges in the United States to admit students regardless of race or gender, setting a powerful precedent in the fight for inclusive education.

Significance: This act marked a radical shift in American higher education. At a time when slavery still gripped the South and many Northern institutions excluded African Americans, Oberlin stood as a beacon of progressive values and abolitionist principles. The college later became a hub for anti-slavery activism and a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Legacy: Oberlin’s commitment to racial inclusion helped lay the groundwork for the broader movement toward educational access and civil rights in the United States.