Mike Grier Becomes First Black General Manager In NHL History
San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) Owner Hasso Plattner today announced that Mike Grier has been named as the team's general manager. Grier becomes the fifth general manager in the Sharks franchise history, preceded by Doug Wilson (2003-22), Dean Lombardi (1996-03), Chuck Grillo (1992-96), and Jack Ferreira (1991-92). He has the distinguished honor of becoming the first Black general manager in the history of the National Hockey League. In this role, Grier will have overall authority regarding all aspects of the Sharks hockey-related operations, including overseeing all player personnel decisions, leading the
Willie O’Ree, 1st Black Player in NHL, is a Real Ice Man
By Tamara Shiloh Historically, professional hockey has held fast to its tradition of lacking diversity among its players. But no Black on the ice did not hold Willie O’Ree back. He started playing hockey at age 3 and instantly had a passion for the game. Born on October 15, 1935, in Frederickton, New Brunswick, Canada, O’Ree at the age of 14 years old, played with his brother Richard in organized hockey. Within a year, he was playing with the Frederickton Falcons in New Brunswick Amateur Hockey team. O’Ree played in
Senate Confirms Lisa Cook As First Black Woman To Serve On Federal Reserve
Photo: Getty Images By Zuri Anderson, Black Information Network The U.S. Senate confirmed Lisa DeNell Cook, an established economist and researcher, to the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors Tuesday night (May 10), per NBC News. This makes her the first Black woman to serve on the panel in its 108-year history. Vice President Kamala Harris was reportedly the tie-breaker after senators voted 50-50 along party lines. "As President [Joe] Biden said today, addressing inflation remains a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration, as we work to lower costs for hardworking families," a White House official said in
The Lasting Impact Of HBCUs On American History
In honor of HBCU Week, we're celebrating the gifts that are Historically Black colleges and universities! HBCUs serve many functions in American society. Not only did they provide educational opportunities to Black Americans when most predominantly white institutions shut them out centuries ago, but they continue to serve an important role in Black culture. These institutions have also left their mark on American history as a whole due to their various contributions. To understand these contributions, let's roll the clock back to the 1800s. The earliest HBCUs are dated back to the
President Biden Nominates First Black Woman to Serve on Federal Reserve Board of Governors
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent President Joe Biden on Friday announced the nominations of three individuals to serve on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, including Lisa D. Cook, a professor of Economics and International Relations at Michigan State University. If confirmed, Cook would become the first African American woman to serve in that role. A Marshall Scholar from Spelman College who received a second B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University, Cook earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley. She
Bubba Wallace becomes second Black driver, first since 1963, to win NASCAR Cup Series Race
Tuesday at Talladega Speedway, Bubba Wallace earned his first NASCAR Cup Series victory. Doing so also made history as he became just the second Black driver to record a victory in NASCAR’s top series. Wendell Scott was the first to do so in 1963. In a postrace interview, Wallace became emotional when reflecting on being NASCAR’s first Black champion in more than 50 years. “I never think about those things, and when you say it like that, it obviously brings a lot of emotions, a lot of joy
Boston Red Sox Hire Bianca Smith as First Black Woman Coach in Baseball History
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Bianca Smith, an African American woman, has made baseball history. Smith, who most recently served as an assistant baseball coach and hitting coordinator at Wisconsin’s Carroll University, was named a coach in the Boston Red Sox minor league system. Smith, 29, becomes the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball. She will work with the team’s infielders at the Red Sox minor league facility in Fort Meyers, Fla. “She was a great candidate coming in,” Red Sox vice president of player development
Archbishop Wilton Gregory Becomes First Black American Cardinal in the Catholic Church
By Danielle Sanders Archbishop Wilton Gregory becomes the first Black American Cardinal in the Catholic church’s history. Archbishop Gregory was born and raised in Chicago and ordained a priest in 1973. A product of the Englewood neighborhood, he grew up in a family that was not Catholic. They converted to Catholicism while in Catholic School. He attended Quigley Seminary, Niles College, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary school in Mundelein. He earned his doctorate in sacred liturgy in Rome from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute before returning to