Notables in Black History: Inventors, intellectuals, influencers and more
Notables in Black History: Inventors, intellectuals, influencers and more
Marian Anderson. Library of Congress
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February 22, 2021 12:53PM
By Nadya Korytnikova and Jessica Simms
American history resonates with the names of great African American men and women. Here are 14 men and women who made their mark on history â in many cases as the first Black Americans to succeed in their chosen fields.Â
The actress who played Aunt Jemima was a Hartford nativeÂ
From 1946 to 1964, Gwen Reed, an actress, an advocate for childhood literacy and a theater director, played the role of Aunt Jemima, the face of the Quaker Oats Company products. Reed traveled to promote the brand at pancake festivals, state fairs, school assemblies and grocery stores, but her real name was never revealed. While playing the role of Aunt Jemima (in 1951), Reed became the director of the Hartford Community Players. She directed âA Raisin in the Sun,â âRainâ and âPurlie Victorious.â âÂ