James A. Healy, first African American Roman Catholic Bishop, consecrated in the cathedral at Portland, Maine.

Kenneth Irvine Chenault  is an American business executive. Chenault has been the CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001and is the third black CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

On this date in 1967 – A Race riot in the Roxbury section of Boston, Massachusetts. Roxbury was a predominantly Black section of the city, which was one of the few northern areas that in the early 60’s, that had not experienced race riots. However, that all changed on this day in 1967 when mothers on welfare staged a sit-in that later turned into a violent three-day riot fueled by the city’s festering racial divide.

On this day ion 1943, the Ninety-ninth Pursuit Squadron flew P-40 Warhawks over the Mediterranean Sea for their first combat mission, strafing enemy positions on the heavily fortified Italian Island of Pantelleria.

ON this day in 1899, Black Americans observed day of fasting and prayer called by National Afro-American Council to protest lynching and racial massacres.

On this day in 1875, James Augustine Healy, the first African American Roman Catholic Bishop, born in Macon, Georgia.

On this day 1868 – John Hope was born on this day in Augusta, Georgia. John Hope was an African American educator and political activist, the first African-descended president of both Morehouse College in 1906 and of Atlanta University in 1929, where he worked to develop graduate programs.

On this day in 1854 – Fugitive slave Anthony Burns was returned to the South from Boston. In 1854, Burns took steps to find freedom. While working in Richmond, he boarded a ship heading north, to the city of Boston. Burns arrived in Boston in March a fugitive, but free. It was however, short lived. Burns was convicted of being a fugitive slave on June 2, 1854. That same day, an estimated 50,000 lined the streets of Boston, watching Burns walk in shackles toward the waterfront and the waiting ship. It cost the federal government $100,000 to return Burns. A black church soon raised $1300 to purchase Burns’ freedom. In less than a year Anthony Burns was back in Boston a free man.

On this date in 1834, the Fifth National Black convention met in New York with 50 delegates from eight states.

On June 2, 1863, Harriet Tubman became the first woman in U.S. history to lead a military raid when she guided Union troops in the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina. Partnering with Colonel James Montgomery and the 2nd South Carolina Colored Infantry, Tubman helped liberate over 700 enslaved people by navigating river waters filled with Confederate torpedoes. Her intelligence work and deep knowledge of Southern terrain proved invaluable. Tubman had previously served as a nurse and spy for the Union, but this mission marked her direct combat leadership. The raid also struck a critical blow to Southern infrastructure, torching plantations and securing supplies. Despite her contribution, Tubman received no formal recognition or pension for her service. This event highlights her overlooked yet pivotal military role during the Civil War, expanding her legacy far beyond the Underground Railroad.

Dennis Hightower, a future trailblazer in American business and politics, was born on June 2, 1924, in Washington, D.C. After serving in World War II and graduating from Howard University, Hightower earned an MBA from Harvard. He rose through corporate America, eventually becoming a senior executive at The Walt Disney Company, where he played a key role in expanding Disney’s international market. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed him Deputy Secretary of Commerce. Hightower was one of the highest-ranking Black executives in U.S. corporate history and broke barriers in both public and private sectors. His leadership emphasized strategic expansion, diversity, and global thinking. Hightower’s legacy remains a model for African Americans in business and government, showing how strategic expertise and public service can intersect powerfully.

On June 2, 1940, the first known championship game in Black college baseball was held between Southern University and Tuskegee Institute. Southern emerged victorious, marking a major milestone in HBCU sports history. At a time when segregation excluded Black athletes from major leagues and national competitions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) cultivated their own elite sports programs. This championship game drew significant attention across Black newspapers, creating a sense of unity, pride, and sports excellence within the Black community. Players from these institutions often went on to influence the Negro Leagues and, later, integrated baseball. The game helped lay the foundation for increased investment and visibility in Black collegiate athletics, as well as building school pride that continues to this day. It serves as a reminder of the determination to create opportunity despite systemic exclusion.

Barbara Lee, the first African American woman to represent Northern California in the U.S. Congress, was born on June 2, 1951. A lifelong advocate for peace, economic justice, and civil rights, Lee is most famously known for being the only member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force after the September 11 attacks. Her principled stand against unchecked military power earned her national respect and demonstrated extraordinary courage. Raised in a segregated Texas town, Lee later moved to California and became active in political organizing, including working with the Black Panther Party. She has also been a consistent voice for reproductive rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and social equity. Her career is marked by a willingness to challenge bipartisan consensus in defense of justice and democracy. As of 2025, she remains a pivotal figure in progressive politics and Black leadership.

On June 2, 1967, Angolan students led pro-democracy protests in Luanda against Portuguese colonial rule. These protests, driven by young Black Angolans seeking independence and cultural recognition, were met with violent suppression. Many demonstrators were arrested, tortured, or exiled. The event became a flashpoint that galvanized support for the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) and other anti-colonial resistance groups. Although often overshadowed by armed struggles, student-led movements played a crucial role in mobilizing international attention and nurturing leadership for post-independence governance. The June 2 protests are remembered as an early sign of a larger revolution that would ultimately lead to Angola’s independence in 1975. This day is now studied as a moment where youth activism helped reshape the future of an entire nation.

Born on June 2, 1971, in rural South Africa, Sibusiso Vilane would become the first Black African to summit Mount Everest. Raised in a small village with limited resources, Vilane overcame poverty to become a celebrated adventurer, motivational speaker, and philanthropist. He reached Everest’s peak in 2003, symbolizing triumph against systemic barriers and personal adversity. He later became one of few people globally to complete the Three Poles Challenge—reaching the North Pole, South Pole, and Everest. Vilane uses his platform to promote youth development and education in underprivileged communities across Africa. His achievements inspire many as a story of tenacity and vision, showing how far ambition and determination can take someone from even the most humble beginnings. His birthday marks a celebration of Black excellence in global exploration and endurance sports.

On June 2, 1987, Aretha Franklin was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by Harvard University, one of the first Black women to receive such a distinction from the Ivy League institution. Known as the \”Queen of Soul,\” Franklin had already made an indelible mark on music and civil rights. The degree recognized not only her unmatched vocal talent but also her cultural impact and lifelong advocacy for racial justice. By honoring Franklin, Harvard acknowledged the deep intellectual and social significance of Black artistry in American history. The award helped elevate Franklin into the pantheon of cultural icons, influencing future academic recognition of artists whose work transcends entertainment. It also reflected a growing institutional shift toward inclusion and respect for African American contributions across fields.

On June 2, 1999, Thabo Mbeki was elected President of South Africa, succeeding Nelson Mandela. Mbeki became the second post-apartheid president and faced the challenge of leading a nation still healing from decades of racial division. Known for his intellectual approach and policy-driven governance, Mbeki emphasized African self-reliance and economic development. He was instrumental in promoting the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and advocated for pan-African unity. However, his controversial stance on HIV/AIDS and reluctance to acknowledge the scope of the crisis drew intense criticism. Despite this, Mbeki’s leadership helped shape South Africa’s early 21st-century trajectory and cemented its role in continental politics. His presidency signaled the maturation of South African democracy beyond the Mandela era.

On June 2, 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data showing that Black-owned businesses had grown by 46% between 1992 and 1997—the fastest growth among all racial groups at the time. This surge was fueled by increased access to entrepreneurship training, community lending initiatives, and targeted government programs. The report, released during the Clinton administration, emphasized the economic resilience of African Americans in the face of systemic challenges. It also revealed gaps in revenue growth and capital access, sparking renewed calls for equity in small business policy. The data marked a turning point in discussions about wealth-building, financial inclusion, and the role of Black enterprise in the U.S. economy. This moment reinforced the importance of supporting and sustaining Black entrepreneurship as a pathway to community upliftment.

On June 2, 2020, global protests demanding justice for George Floyd and an end to systemic racism reached a peak. Sparked by Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, millions across all continents rallied under the banner of Black Lives Matter. June 2 marked the coordinated social media campaign “#BlackoutTuesday,” where individuals and organizations paused regular posts to reflect on racial injustice. While initially a gesture of solidarity from the music industry, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon with participation from across the world. Protests occurred in cities from London to Lagos, showing the global resonance of the struggle for Black lives. The day underscored a moment of collective reckoning and renewed calls for policy change, accountability, and reparative justice. June 2 now stands as a date symbolizing international Black unity and resistance.

On June 2, 1979, Saint Lucian poet and playwright Derek Walcott was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, becoming one of the first Caribbean recipients of the prestigious award. Known for works like Omeros and Dream on Monkey Mountain, Walcott’s writing blends Caribbean history with classical literature, reflecting the region\’s post-colonial identity and Afro-Caribbean consciousness. The “genius grant” recognition solidified his international literary stature, years before he would win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992. Walcott’s contributions brought global attention to Caribbean literature and highlighted the intellectual and artistic contributions of Black voices from the diaspora. His success helped pave the way for other Afro-Caribbean writers in global literary circles and created bridges between European literary traditions and African cultural narratives.

Although centered in the U.S., the Detroit race riot of June 2, 1943, had international ramifications. News of the violence spread rapidly across Axis and Allied nations during World War II, providing ammunition for Nazi propaganda that condemned American democracy as racially hypocritical. African and Caribbean leaders and intellectuals took note, using the riot as evidence in their push for decolonization and global racial justice. Prominent figures like George Padmore and Jomo Kenyatta referenced such American racial violence when building solidarity movements across Africa and the Caribbean. The riot resulted in over 30 deaths and deepened calls for civil and human rights globally, connecting African American struggles to anti-colonial resistance movements.

On June 2, 1863, the Netherlands passed legislation to abolish slavery in its colonies, including Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean. Although the law was enacted, it took effect on July 1, 1863. Nonetheless, June 2 marked a significant legislative milestone. More than 33,000 enslaved Africans were technically freed, though many were required to continue working for their former enslavers for another 10 years under a \”state supervision\” system. This delay in full freedom sparked resistance and laid the foundation for post-emancipation Black identity and independence struggles in the Dutch West Indies. Today, this history shapes contemporary conversations about reparations and national memory in Suriname, Curaçao, and the Netherlands.

On June 2, 1921, the South African Zulu community held a major ceremonial tribute honoring Queen Nandi, mother of the legendary King Shaka Zulu, marking the centenary of her death. Queen Nandi, a powerful figure in her own right, had defied societal rejection and raised a warrior king who would go on to reshape southern African history. The 1921 commemoration, held in the face of British colonial rule, was both a celebration of Zulu sovereignty and a cultural assertion of African pride. It reinforced efforts to preserve indigenous African heritage amidst cultural erasure and became a foundational moment in the growth of African nationalism in the early 20th century.

On June 2, 1978, Cy Grant, a Guyanese-born British actor and RAF veteran, launched the Concord Multicultural Theatre in London. Grant envisioned the theater as a platform to challenge Eurocentric narratives and celebrate diasporic African and Caribbean voices through stage productions. Amidst a rising tide of racial tensions in the UK, Concord became a rare, courageous space for Black expression. Grant, who had broken barriers in British media since the 1950s, used the theater to amplify anti-colonial themes, explore identity, and mentor young Black British talent. His initiative significantly shaped Britain’s cultural landscape and inspired other Black artistic institutions across Europe.

On June 2, 1976, South African activist Steve Biko published one of his final essays under the pseudonym “Frank Talk” in the journal Black Review. In this piece, Biko explored the psychological toll of apartheid and called for a new Black consciousness rooted in pride, self-determination, and resistance. Just weeks before his brutal arrest and murder by police, the essay galvanized youth movements and sharpened the intellectual clarity of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Biko’s fearless writing on this date left an enduring legacy that continues to influence Black liberation movements globally, from South Africa to the African diaspora.

June 2, 1904, marked the death of British-African composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor at just 37. Born to a Sierra Leonean father and British mother, Coleridge-Taylor was a musical prodigy who gained international fame for his Hiawatha\’s Wedding Feast trilogy. Despite facing racial discrimination, he earned admiration from both classical European and African American musical circles, even touring the U.S. by invitation of Booker T. Washington. His fusion of Western classical styles with African themes helped elevate Black identity in the arts. His legacy influenced a generation of Black composers, and his life continues to symbolize Black excellence in classical music.

On June 2, 1953, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations General Assembly, criticizing colonial rule in Africa and supporting movements for independence. Representing the only African nation never colonized, Selassie’s leadership gave diplomatic cover to emerging liberation movements across the continent. His address reinforced the role of Ethiopia as a symbol of African pride and sovereignty. The speech helped establish the Non-Aligned Movement and laid the groundwork for pan-African cooperation, which would soon lead to the founding of the Organization of African Unity. Selassie’s stand on this date is remembered as a bold assertion of post-colonial diplomacy.

On June 2, 1983, the Cuban government officially granted political asylum to Assata Shakur, the revolutionary Black Panther and former member of the Black Liberation Army. Having escaped from a U.S. prison in 1979, Shakur had been living underground before resurfacing in Havana. Cuba\’s decision to shelter her strained U.S.-Cuba relations but symbolized global solidarity with revolutionary Black movements. Assata became a transnational figure of resistance, inspiring debates around political prisoners, state violence, and liberation. Her asylum emphasized how the African diaspora’s struggle for freedom often transcended national borders and entered global human rights discourse.

On June 2, 1858, the British-African Aid Society was officially registered in London. The society was created by Afro-British intellectuals and former slaves to aid newly emancipated Africans in the Caribbean and West Africa. Its goals included funding schools, supporting Black professionals, and building infrastructure in post-slavery communities. Though short-lived, it marked a significant instance of Black-led philanthropy and self-help during the Victorian era. The society laid early groundwork for Pan-African collaboration, and its members would later influence global movements for African autonomy and dignity, predating organizations like the African Association and the Pan-African Congress.

On June 2, 1962, Western Samoa became the first independent Black nation in the Pacific after over 50 years of colonial rule. Formerly a German territory and later administered by New Zealand under a League of Nations mandate, Samoa\’s struggle for independence was rooted in nonviolent resistance, most notably the Mau Movement—a powerful expression of indigenous self-determination led largely by Samoans of African and Polynesian descent. The 1962 independence marked a watershed moment for Black and Indigenous peoples in Oceania, inspiring decolonization efforts across the Pacific and signaling a broader global shift in rejecting European imperial rule. Unlike many African states, Samoa negotiated its independence peacefully, setting a precedent for postcolonial diplomacy. Though rarely included in narratives of Black international liberation, Western Samoa’s emergence as a sovereign nation highlighted the global reach of Black resistance beyond continental Africa and the Americas.