Hazel M. Johnson (1935-2011) DJ Name: Hazed & Confused Years before Greta Thunberg said “how dare you” to a bunch of big boi politicians who are daring to not do anything about climate change, Hazel M. Johnson fought for environmental justice in Chicago’s low-income neighborhoods and worked to improve living conditions for those in publicContinue reading “Hazel M. Johnson”
Author Archives: historicshuffle
Rebecca Lee Crumpler
Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895) DJ Name: Crumpin’ Crumpler Fun fact! When Dr. Dre said “I need a doctor” in 2011, they were actually referring to DJ Dr. Crumpin’ Crumpler. That’s right, Rebecca Lee Crumpler literally brought Dr. Dre back to life because she was THAT good of a doctor. OK, but for real, Rebecca LeeContinue reading “Rebecca Lee Crumpler”
Major Taylor
Major Taylor (1878-1932) DJ Name: Major Key Major Taylor loved to ride his bicycle. He loved to ride his bike. He loved to ride it where he liked. BIIIIICYCLE BIIIIIIIIIIICYCLE. Yes, that’s right, Major Taylor was quite the bike racer, but unfortunately it was often difficult for him to ride it where he liked becauseContinue reading “Major Taylor”
Elizabeth Keckley
Elizabeth Keckley (1818-1907) DJ Name: Lizzy Smalls ‘Twas a Tuesday night at the White House in 1861, and Mary Todd Lincoln was all aflutter. She simply would not have enough time to don her corset and flowered headpiece before she had to descend the stairs to the evening’s festivities. The White House’s seamstress, Elizabeth Keckley,Continue reading “Elizabeth Keckley”
César Chávez
César Chávez (1927-1993) DJ Name: DJ Cez the Day While Joe Biden was sworn in as the United States’ 46th president (we heard it was a cold and fun festivity with a few flurries, but Lena Horne wasn’t present this time), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez was in the Bronx with a bullhorn to give extraContinue reading “César Chávez”
Lena Horne
Lena Horne (1917-2010) DJ Name: DJ Lena on Me On Wednesday, Americans switched on their TVs and watched as Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. But though Joe’s German Shepherd, Major, is the first rescue dog to raise his right paw and take the woof of office, Joe’sContinue reading “Lena Horne”
Johnny Marks
Johnny Marks (1909-1985) DJ Name: DJ Marksy Marks and the Funky Bunch ‘Tis the season to crank up those Christmas tunes, so why not feature the man who wrote hits such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and who was actually more likely to light theContinue reading “Johnny Marks”
Mary Anning
Mary Anning (1799-1847) DJ Name: Amping up Anning When you think of paleontologists, who’s the first person you think of? For us, it’s Ross Geller. Obviously. But long before Ross graced our screens with dorky witticisms and a love for dinosaurs, Mary Anning dug around in the dirt in England, searching for fossils that manyContinue reading “Mary Anning”
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe (1943-1993) DJ Name: Arty the Ace Decades before Emmy and Camille lived in Virginia, a tennis superstar was born in Richmond. No, not Venus or Serena. This one’s name is Arthur Ashe, and Drake never wrote any songs about him. But he was the first (and only) Black man to win, win, win,Continue reading “Arthur Ashe”
Ruth Siems AND Dorcas Reilly
Ruth Siems (1931-2005) DJ Name: Rockin’ Ruth Dorcas Reilly (1926-2018) DJ Name: DJ Dorky Dorcas ‘Tis the season for stuffing yourself until you gotta go change into your comfy elastic band pants, so it feels appropriate to learn about two women who gave us two of the best Thanksgiving side dishes. If you don’t believeContinue reading “Ruth Siems AND Dorcas Reilly”
