was the first black man to lead a college? It’s true! In 1856, Payne served on the founding board of directors of Ohio’s Wilberforce University (which, by the way, was the first historically black college in which African-Americans were part of the founding). When the college was burned down on the night of Lincoln’s assassination, Payne single-handedly led the effort to rebuild and re-finance Wilberforce. He served as acting President until1877.

To read more about the life of this incredible individual, visit the link below:

http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/payne-daniel-alexander-1811-1893

Café Society Nightclub

Opened in 1938 by Jewish entrepreneur, Barney Josephson, Café Society was the first racially integrated nightclub in the United States! The club was established primarily to showcase African-American talent. It was on the Café Society stage that Billie Holiday first performed her haunting ballad, Strange Fruit. Another fun fact? The legend that is Hazel Scott was discovered in Café Society. But wait, it doesn’t stop there! See if you recognize any of these names: Pearl Bailey, Count Basie, Miles Davis, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald. They ALL performed at Café Society. A lot. Yeah, it was kind of a big deal.