There are more notable African Americans with Kentucky roots and ties than any one person knows about. Very little has been written about many of them and it is a challenge to find what was written in the past. For some, their stories have only been told by word of mouth. The Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (NKAA) has been developed as a finding aid to bring together a brief description of pertinent names, places, and events, and to list the sources where additional information may be found. This is not currently an all inclusive database, but we are working toward that goal and suggestions are welcomed.
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In 1921, James A. Jackson (1878-1960) began his push for the establishment of the National Association of Colored Fairs. Jackson, who was born in…
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This entry is In response to a patron's reference question about the ages of the oldest African American Union soldiers from Kentucky during the Civil…
In July of 1934, Joshua Spears, Sr. retired from the Indianapolis Police Department after 51 years of service. He was the longest serving officer in…
Traquelia T. Riley Wharton Stewart was a recognized teacher at the African American schools in Indianapolis, IN. The Traquelia Stewart Memorial…
Reverend J. Francis Wilson, born in Harrodsburg, KY,was anactive member of the African American Baptistin Kentucky, and the Kentucky Negro Educational…
James T. Smith, born in Maceo, KY, was a national track athlete in Indiana and was considered by some to be the best black long distance runner in the…
Sister Roxy Turner, born in Madison County, KY, was the founder and head of the Power Church, also referred to as the Power Society. She founded the…
Charles E. Decker, a Republican, was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1946 and finished his term in 1948. He was unsuccessful in his…
While preparing for their convention in Louisville, KY, in 1946, the Women's Action Committee for Victory and Lasting Peace (WACVLP) was met with the…
Rev. Joseph S. Atwell, from Barbados, was the first colored man ordained a Deacon of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Kentucky, according to his…
